United Nations, May 14 (IANS): The UN Security Council strongly condemned the killing of a French journalist in the Central African Republic (CAR) and called for those responsible to be held accountable, media reported Wednesday.
"In accordance with international humanitarian law, journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are generally considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such," a Security Council statement Tuesday said.
Camille Lepage, a 26-year-old French photographer, was murdered in western CAR not far from the border with Cameroon, Xinhua reported.
Lepage's body was found by French peacekeepers inside a vehicle driven by Christian anti-Balaka fighters.
The 26-year-old freelance photo-journalist was based in South Sudan since July 2012.
Lepage said on social media May 6 that she was travelling with anti-Balaka fighters to Amada Gaza in western CAR near the border with Cameroon.