UNESCO Director-General condemns assassination of journalist Leonardo Pinheiro in Brazi

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has condemned the 13 May murder of social media journalist Leonardo Pinheiro in the town of Araruama in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.

“I condemn the murder of Leonardo Pinheiro,” said the Director-General. “I urge the authorities to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to trial. Societies must not let the use of violence against journalists go unpunished if they wish to uphold freedom of expression, freedom of information, democracy and rule of law.”

Leonardo Pinheiro who maintained the active and outspoken local news page A Voz Araruamense on Facebook, was shot dead in broad daylight while interviewing local residents on a street in Araruama.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.