Freedom of Expression
Press Release 128/05
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON NEWSPAPER AND RADIO STATIONS IN MARILIA, BRAZIL
Washington, D.C., Sept. 14, 2005. The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), part of the Organization of American States (OAS), condemns the recent attacks against the building of Central Marília de Notícias (CMN), which houses the offices of Diário de Marília and radio stations Dirceu AM and Diário FM, in the city of Marília, São Paulo state, Brazil.
Based on the information received regarding these attacks, early on September 8, 2005 a group of unidentified assailants overcame CNM security guards and splashed gasoline and set fire to the building, causing serious material damage. These attacks are believed to be linked to exposure by these media outlets of alleged corruption within the local government in Marília.
Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR notes that "the material destruction of communications media violate[s] the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict[s] freedom of expression."
Eduardo Bertoni, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, condemns these acts of violence and calls on the Brazilian authorities to investigate, try and punish those responsible for these acts.
For more information on the Office of the Special Rapporteur, see its website: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria