9 September 2009 - The death of an Afghan journalist who was killed during a rescue operation to free him and New York Times journalist Stephen Farrell from Taliban captivity highlights the dangers faced by media professionals working in the country, the top United Nations envoy there said.

Gunmen reportedly seized Mr. Farrell and Sultan Munadi on Saturday while they were working in a village south of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.

“Sultan’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by media personnel working in Afghanistan, often in circumstances of considerable personal risk,” Secretary-General’s Special Representative Kai Eide said in a statement issued today in Kabul.

Mr. Eide appealed to local authorities and insurgent groups alike to respect the rights of journalists to go about their work.

“Media personnel, whether Afghan or foreign, should not be obstructed in the carrying out of their lawful and professional duties and should be treated as neutral and independent actors.

“Above all, their safety must not be placed in jeopardy,” he stated.