Director-General urges investigation into killing of journalist Jean-Jacques Ola Bébé in Cameroon

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO has called for an investigation into the killing of journalist Jean-Jacques Ola Bébé in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon, on 2 February.

“I condemn the killing of Jean-Jacques Ola Bébé,” said the Director-General. “I call on the authorities to investigate this crime and establish if it was linked to his work as a journalist. Those responsible must be prosecuted to uphold the rule of law and protect the media from gunpoint censorship.”

Ola Bébé, the second journalist killed in Cameroon this year, was a well-known radio and television broadcaster for several private outlets. He was also an Orthodox Catholic priest. Ola Bébé’s body was found after he had been shot by unidentified assailants.

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. /BGNES