Freedom of Expression
Press Release 50/01
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED BY ATTACKS AND THREATS AGAINST JOURNALISTS AND RADIO STATIONS IN HAITI
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), a specialized organization of the Organization of American States (OAS), is concerned by the attacks and threats against journalists and radio stations in Haiti, in the midst of the violence that has prevailed in the country since the armed attack against the National Palace in Port-au-Prince on December 17, 2001.
According to information received, groups of demonstrators attacked “Radio Caraïbes" and broke the windows of cars parked in the Rue Chavannes parking lot of the radio station, in the southeastern part of the capital. The station suspended its broadcasts just before the attacks, whereas the "Radio Vision 2000" station continued to broadcast news until December 18. Since then, two journalists from "Radio Caraïbes" and several from "Radio Vision 2000" and "Radio Galaxie" have been in hiding. Some accounts indicate that they have been trying to leave the country since receiving serious threats.
The American Convention on Human Rights, to which Haiti is a party, underscores that it is the duty of states to prevent, punish, and investigate any violation of the rights recognized in that instrument. In the case of the journalists, the Office of the Special Rapporteur has declared that states must conduct the necessary investigations and punish the perpetrators of these acts, which constitute serious threats both to freedom of expression and to the personal integrity of the journalists. The impunity in which these crimes have been left has an intimidating effect not only on other journalists but also on all citizens who live in fear and avoid reporting abuses and other illegal acts.
Lastly, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression draws attention to principle 9 of the IACHR Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression: "The murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats to social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media violate the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict freedom of expression. It is the duty of the state to prevent and investigate such occurrences, to punish their perpetrators and to ensure that victims receive due compensation."
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
December 21, 2001
Washington, D.C.