PARIS, FRANCE.- UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has condemned the murder, in Amsterdam on November 2, of journalist Theo van Gogh, who had directed approximately 20 documentary films.

“I condemn the cold-blooded murder of Theo van Gogh, who was stabbed and shot several times. This Dutch television personality in his way exemplified freedom of expression. Democracy and rule of law require that people like him express themselves freely, even when their words and the ideas they hold are disturbing,” declared Mr Matsuura. He added: “We have the right to disagree with people’s ideas, but we do not have the right to silence them.”

Theo van Gogh, great grand-nephew of the painter Vincent van Gogh, directed films that were often controversial, as was the case of “Submission”, based on a script by Somali-born Member of the Netherland’s Parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali. It was broadcast last summer by a Dutch television channel.