In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/11046-AFR/1550

SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED BY BRUTAL KILLING OF ‘RADIO OKAPI’ JOURNALIST IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

15 June 2007
Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/11046
AFR/1550
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

Secretary-General shocked by brutal killing of ‘radio okapi’ journalist


in Democratic Republic of Congo


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:


The Secretary-General was shocked and saddened to receive the news of the brutal killing of Serge Meheshe, a respected national radio journalist at Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The Secretary-General extends his condolences to Mr. Meheshe’s family, to his colleagues in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Radio Okapi and to its partner, Fondation Hirondelle.


The free flow of information and ideas and the freedom of expression are the lifeblood of democracy.  Mr. Meheshe’s death is a great loss for the United Nations and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they continue their efforts to build a sustainable peace in their country.  The United Nations will do everything possible to support the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.


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For information media • not an official record
For information media. Not an official record.