UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned the murder of a prominent independent journalist from Rwanda outside his residence in Kigala, the capital city.

On June 24, Jean-Léonard Rugambage was shot at close range by two men near his home in the Nyamirambo district in the capital city. Rugambage was the editor of the bi-monthly independent publication Umuvugizi.

Rugambage, who was known as the “Sheriff,” served also as a correspondent for Rwanda Journalists in Danger, a non-governmental organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, condemned the “heinous crime” and said that it was a blow to the fundamental right of freedom of press. One of UNESCO’s most important tasks is the promotion of press freedom.

Bokova called on the Rwandan government to bring those responsible to justice. Local media reports said that two men have been arrested in connection with Rugambage’s killing.

(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)