UNESCO Director-General condemns killing AFP journalist Arman Soldin by Russian military in Ukraine

Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, has condemned the killing of French reporter Arman Soldin, AFP video coordinator, near Bakhmut on May 9.

“I condemn the attack that killed video journalist Arman Soldin and call for an investigation to identify the circumstances of his death,” said the Director-General. “I renew my call for international humanitarian law to be respected, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 of 2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel in situations of conflict.”

Soldin had been covering the fighting in Ukraine for Agence France-Presse (AFP) since the beginning of the war. He was reported to be killed in a rocket attack on Chasiv Yar on the outskirts of Bakhmut where he was accompanying Ukrainian soldiers. He is the 12th journalist killed in Ukraine since the war started.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

About UNESCO. UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding. It is the coordinator of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, thus strengthening peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide. UNESCO is working closely with its partner organizations in Ukraine to provide support to journalists on the ground.

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