Freedom of Expression
Press Release 165/07
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN MEXICO AND CALLS FOR DUE INVESTIGATION
Washington, D.C., April 10, 2007 -The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the OAS deplores the murder of Amado Ramírez, correspondent of Televisa, perpetrated in Acapulco, state of Guerrero, Mexico. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the Mexican authorities to investigate this killing promptly and effectively in order to duly sanction those responsible and to determine the circumstances of his death. The authorities should investigate whether this murder was perpetrated as a result of the journalistic activities of the victim.
According to the communication media in Mexico and non-governmental organizations, in the afternoon of Friday, April 6, Mr. Ramírez was shot to death when he was leaving a radio station, where he was anchor of the program Al Tanto.
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Ignacio J. Álvarez, expressed his preoccupation. “Murder is the most abhorrent and brutal method to restrict freedom of expression. We call Mexican authorities to act with due diligence to investigate the facts and judge those responsible. The lack of an effective investigation can imply the international responsibility of States determined by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights”.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression recalls that in accordance with the American Convention on Human Rights, the States have the duty to prevent, investigate, and sanction any violation of the rights recognized therein. Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states that "[t]he 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."
For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/index.asp?lID=1