The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today denounced the killing of Syrian writer, journalist and film-maker Orouba Barakat and her daughter Hala Barakat, also a journalist, in Istanbul on 22 September.

“I condemn the murder of Orouba Barakat and Hala Barakat,” said the Director-General. “I call on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime be brought to justice. Criminals must not be allowed to suppress the inalienable human right of freedom of expression, which is essential for democracy, good governance and rule of law.”

Turkish police found Orouba Barakat and her daughter Hala stabbed to death in their apartment in Istanbul. Hala Barakat was a journalist for the Dubai-based Orient News Channel. Orouba Barakat had been living and working in exile since the 1980s.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage, UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists

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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org, +33 (0)1 45 68 42 12