Freedom of Expression
Press Release 52/02
THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF THE IACHR CONDEMNS A SERIOUS ATTACK ON A JOURNALIST AND AN ATTACK ON A BROADCASTER IN COLOMBIA
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR notes its grave concern regarding the attacks on freedom of expression that occurred in Colombia on January 30, 2002. The journalist Orlando Sierra Hernández, deputy editor of the Manizales-based La Patria newspaper, received three gunshot wounds to the head from his assailants and remains in a serious condition. In addition, in the early hours of the morning, a car bomb exploded on the premises of the Caracol Televisión national newscast in Bogotá. The explosion caused substantial damages to the media company’s facilities but no one was injured.
Orlando Sierra Hernández wrote a regular opinion column in which he voiced criticisms and condemnations in connection with Colombia’s ongoing armed conflict. As regards the attack on Caracol, both the motive and the perpetrators remain unknown. No armed group has as yet claimed responsibility for the incidents.
The office of the Rapporteur condemns both attacks, which constitute serious violations of freedom of expression. The conditions faced by reporters and the media in Colombia are a source of great concern to the Rapporteur’s office and, on this occasion, the incidents are particularly serious in that they coincided with the escalation of the country’s armed conflict that has taken place in recent weeks. Attacks on journalists and the material destruction of media facilities are tactics intended to silence the critical, independent press, and they represent one of the gravest kinds of affronts to the right of free expression. In this respect, Principle 9 of the IACHR’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom on Expression provides as follows:
“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.”
The Rapporteur’s office asks the Colombian State to launch a serious and impartial investigation into both attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice. It further reminds the State that in accordance with the American Convention on Human Rights, it is duty-bound to guarantee broad enjoyment of the right to free expression by society as a whole. Freedom of expression is essential in strengthening the democratic system and indispensable in shaping public opinion, both of which are vital elements at times of internal crisis such as Colombia is presently enduring.
Office of the Special Rapporteur
for Freedom of Expression
January 31, 2002
Washington, D.C.