APPALLED BY MURDER OF FOUR JOURNALISTS IN AFGHANISTAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS TO ALL PARTIES TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

APPALLED BY MURDER OF FOUR JOURNALISTS IN AFGHANISTAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL

APPEALS TO ALL PARTIES TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is acutely concerned about the safety and well-being of innocent civilians in Afghanistan, and of combatants who either have surrendered or wish to do so in accordance with the laws of war.

He was particularly appalled by the murder yesterday of four journalists on the road between Jalalabad and Kabul, and condemns this act in the strongest possible terms.

The Secretary-General strongly appeals to all parties to respect the Geneva Conventions and comply with international humanitarian and human rights law.

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