Press release

Director-General urges investigation into murder of journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Honduras

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has denounced the killing of freelance journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in the city of Comayagua, in central Honduras.

I condemn the murder of Luis Alonzo Almendares, I call on the authorities to investigate this crime. The defense of justice, freedom of expression and rule of law requires that the perpetrators of this killing be held to account.
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

Luis Alonzo Almendares, a local freelance journalist, was shot by two unidentified individuals riding a motorbike in central Comayagua on 27 September and died in hospital a day later. He was known as the Voice of Comayaguans on his Facebook page where he published critical articles about local issues. Almendares had previously been threatened for his reporting.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

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