Freedom of Expression
Press Release R151/19
The Office of the Special Rapporteur
condemns the murder of journalist Petión Rospide and expresses its concern over the ongoing
violence against journalists in the framework of the public demonstrations’
coverage in Haiti
June 14,
2019
Washington,
D.C. - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of
Journalist Petión Rospide that took place on Monday, June 10 in Port-au-Prince,
Haiti. This Office was also informed about cases of assault against reporters
and media workers in the framework of the public demonstrations carried out in
different Haitian cities.
The
Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the State of Haiti to exhaustively investigate
this crime in a complete, effective, and impartial manner, and to determine its
connection with Mr. Rospide’s journalistic work. Likewise, this Office is
concerned about the country’s violent situation and therefore urges the State
to adopt all necessary measures to protect and guarantee the media’s activity.
According
to public information, Radio Sans Fin presenter Petión Rospide was allegedly
shot down while driving back home in an official vehicle of the radio station
where he worked at in Port-au-Prince. The reporter, aged 45, had just finished
his radio show, during which he focused on corruption accusations against the
administration of Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse.
The
Office of the Special Rapporteur was informed about the escalation of violence
during the demonstrations and protests that have been taking place in the
country since last Thursday, June 8, including attacks against journalists in
the context of these public demonstrations’ coverage. For example, according to
the media, on Sunday, June 9, two journalists reported they were almost shot
down by the Haitian police. In addition, there were other cases registered,
such as the one involving a photographer of the newspaper, Le Nouvelliste who
was allegedly injured by rubber bullets. Furthermore, Radio Tele Ginen
reporters were allegedly stoned and their cars vandalized on Monday, June 10.
During his radio show, Mr. Rospide reported these cases of assault and also
informed about the attack against two Radio Tele Ginen vehicles by groups of
demonstrators.
President
Moïse issued a public statement on Tuesday, June 11, describing Mr. Petión
Rospide’s murder as a "heinous act." The president declared that he "vehemently
condemn[ed] this evil crime," and he also expressed his rejection regarding
other reported attacks against local media.
On
multiple occasions, both the Commission and the IAHR Court have referred to the
frightening effect of the crimes committed against journalists and other media
professionals, and their impact on citizens aiming at reporting abuse of power
and illegal acts of any nature.
Principle
9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states
that "the murder, kidnapping, intimidation, threat to social
communicators, as well as the material destruction of the media, violates
people’s fundamental rights and severely restricts the freedom of expression.
It is the duty of the States to prevent and investigate these acts, to punish
their perpetrators and to assure the victims of adequate reparation."
Regarding
violence against journalists, the State has the obligation to investigate with
due diligence and exhaust all logical lines of inquiry linked to the practice
of journalism. Authorities should not rule out the practice of journalism as a
motive for murder and/or aggression before the investigation is completed. The
authorities should also provide adequate resources and specialized personnel to
the institutions responsible for the investigation of this type of matter.
The
Office of the Special Rapporteur recalls that the State has a duty to ensure
that journalists and communicators who are working in the context of a public
demonstration are not detained, threatened, assaulted, or limited in any way in
their rights because they are exercising their profession. Their material and
work tools should not be destroyed or confiscated by public authorities. The
protection of the right to freedom of expression requires that authorities
ensure the necessary conditions so that journalists can cover public interest
events such as those related to social protests.
In
this sense, the Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the Haitian State to
exhaustively investigate Mr. Petión Rospide’s murder in a complete, effective
and impartial manner, to establish the motives for it, and to legally determine
whether there was any connection with his journalistic activity and freedom of
expression. Likewise, this Office makes an urgent call regarding the protection
and guarantee of the rights to life and integrity of demonstrators and media
communicators covering such protests. Finally, the Office of the Special
Rapporteur recalls that journalist Vladjimir Legagneur has been missing since
March 14, 2018, and urges the State to accelerate the investigations on the
alleged facts causing his disappearance.
The
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) with the aim of encouraging
the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the
hemisphere, given its fundamental role in consolidating and developing the
democratic system.