Freedom of Expression

PRESS RELEASE R79-09

 

PRESS RELEASE

PREN R79/09

 

 

SPECIAL RAPPORTEURSHIP FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION EXPRESSES ITS DEEP CONCERN REGARDING THE SITUATION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HONDURAS

 

Washington DC, November 26, 2009- The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression expresses its deepest concern regarding the attacks against freedom of expression registered in Honduras in the last few days, particularly the constant interruptions and interferences to the broadcasting signal of TV Channel 36 and the explosion in the building of Channel 10.

 

According to information received by the Special Rapporteurship, in the last few days the broadcast signal of Channel 36 has been interrupted several times, impeding it from broadcasting normally. Also, the director of Channel 36, Esdras Amado López, reported to the Special Rapporteurship that he has received information according to which the TV channel’s installations could be controlled by the military on Sunday, November 29 during the election, and that the channel’s announcers could be temporarily detained by security forces to prevent them from working that day.

 

The Special Rapporteurship received information that in the early hours of November 25, an explosive detonated in the installations of Channel 10. The explosion caused damages to the building, but no injuries were reported.

 

The Special Rapporteurship expresses its special concern regarding interference of broadcasts by media critical of the de facto government, as well as the repeated attacks against private media. Consequently, it urges the de facto government and all authorities of Honduras in general, to adopt all necessary measures to ensure that journalists in the country can work freely, and to guarantee the conditions that allow individuals to freely express their ideas and opinions without fear of being attacked, incarcerated or stigmatized. 

 

In this respect, the Special Rapporteurship recalls that article 13.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights, of which the Honduran state is a signatory, indicates that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice."