Freedom of Expression

Press Release R36-09

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Every person has the right to freedom of investigation, of opinion, and of the expression and dissemination of ideas, by any medium whatsoever.

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PRESS RELEASE

PREN R36/09

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN GUATEMALA AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

 

Washington, D.C, June 11, 2009 - The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States, Catalina Botero Marino, deplores the murder of Marco Antonio Estrada, correspondent for the Telediario channel of Chiquimula, Guatemala, which occurred on June 6, 2009. The Special Rapporteur urges Guatemalan authorities to investigate this crime promptly and effectively and to duly prosecute those responsible.

 

According to the information received, on June 6, when Estrada was parking his motorcycle, an unidentified person approached him and shot him several times. He died immediately. A reporter for more than 20 years, Estrada covered general information for Telediario, which usually included reports on organized crime and drug trafficking issues. He is the second journalist killed in Guatemala during 2009. In April, Rolando Santiz, also a television reporter, was shot down when he was returning from covering a police issue. At least seven reporters have been murdered in the region this year for reasons that could be related to their work as journalists. 

 

The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression urges Guatemalan authorities to fully investigate the facts so that those responsible for the murder of Marco Antonio Estrada can be duly prosecuted and punished. She also calls on the State to work on the investigations on crimes and threats against journalists and to adopt all urgent measures needed to guarantee the life and the integrity of those journalists who are at risk.

 

The Special Rapporteur underlines that Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states that the murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats against social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media, violates the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restricts 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

Press Contact: Leticia Linn / Tel. (202) 458-3796/ E-mail: [email protected]