(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 19 September 2000 World Press Groups Protest Colombian Killing The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum have protested to President Andrés Pastrana Arango against the killing of another journalist in Colombia, which the global organisations call “the most dangerous country in the […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
Paris, 19 September 2000
World Press Groups Protest Colombian Killing
The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum have protested to President Andrés Pastrana Arango against the killing of another journalist in Colombia, which the global organisations call “the most dangerous country in the world in which to practice journalism.”
Carlos Restrepo, Director of the Tangente daily of San Luis, was the sixth journalist killed in Colombia this year. He was shot to death earlier this month and police said the identity of his attackers and their motives were unknown.
“His murder brings the number of journalists killed in Colombia over the last ten years to 44 and confirms Colombia’s status as the most dangerous country in the world in which to practice journalism,” said the Paris-based WAN and the WEF in a letter to the President.
“We urge you to ensure that a thorough investigation into Mr Restrepo’s murder is carried out and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” said the letter, signed by WAN President Roger Parkinson and WEF President Ruth de Aquino.
They urged President Pastrana to “do everything in your power to create an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their profession free from violence.”
WAN has previously called on the main rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), to renounce violence against journalists as a precondition for peace negotiations in the country.
The call was reinforced in June when the Board of WAN, meeting in Brazil, issued a resolution that condemned attacks against journalists in Colombia and called on all partners in peace negotiations “to ensure that freedom of the press and an end to violence against the media are preconditions for the continuation of peace discussions.”
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000 newspapers; its membership includes 66 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and seven regional and world-wide press groups.
The WEF is the branch of WAN that represents senior news executives.
