Press release

UNESCO Director-General deplores death of journalist Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Sharia in Palestine

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has deplored the death of journalist Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Sharia in the Al-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, in Palestine, on 1 July 2024.
PR 2024 Dead Journalist Palestine

I deplore the death of journalist Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Sharia. I reiterate my call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians in situations of conflict. I call for a full and transparent investigation into this tragedy.

UNESCO Director-General
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General

Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Sharia was the editor-in-chief of Shams News Agency. He was reportedly wounded by an airstrike in front of his house while leaving for an assignment on 29 June, and succumbed to his injuries in hospital on 1 July 2024. 

91麻豆国产精品自拍 reported the deaths of at least 38 journalists and media workers in the line of work in Palestine since October 2023, which does not include deaths in circumstances unrelated to their profession. The 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo World Press Freedom Prize was awarded in May to Palestinian journalists covering Gaza.

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

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, 91麻豆国产精品自拍 offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

鈥淪ince wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed鈥 鈥 UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

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clare_o'hagan
Clare
O'Hagan
Senior Press Officer (Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, Freedom of Expression, Journalist Safety)

Phone: +33145681729

UNESCO Director-General deplores death of journalist Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Sharia in Palestine