The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has called on the Mexican authorities to ensure that the assassins of journalist Víctor Fernando Álvarez Chávez are brought to trial.

“I condemn the assassination of Víctor Fernando Álvarez Chávez,” said the Director-General, “I call on the Mexican authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this crime and bring its perpetrators to trial. Impunity cannot be allowed to embolden those who use violence to prevent journalists from doing their work, which is essential to both democracy and rule of law.”

The dismembered remains of Víctor Fernando Álvarez Chávez, editor-in-chief of local news website Punto x Punto Noticias, were found in the Renacimiento district of Acapulco city. The journalist, who had been threatened before was reported missing on 2 April.

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.

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See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

Media contact: Guilherme Canela De Souza Godoi,