(RSF/IFEX) – In a 7 November 1997 press release, RSF called for a non-governmental commission on press freedom to be created on the occasion of the annual Ibero-American Summit, held on Isla Margarita, Venezuela on 8 and 9 November. RSF asked for a commitment to the creation of a non-governmental commission on the occasion of […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 7 November 1997 press release, RSF called for a
non-governmental commission on press freedom to be created on the occasion
of the annual Ibero-American Summit, held on Isla Margarita, Venezuela on 8
and 9 November. RSF asked for a commitment to the creation of a
non-governmental commission on the occasion of the annual meeting of
leaders from Latin America, Spain and Portugal. On 6 November, Miguel Angel
Burelli, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Venezuela, the summit’s host
country, pledged his country’s support for the initiative. RSF says this
commission should be formed of Iberian and Latin American non governmental
organizations devoted to the defense of press freedom, and would have the
mandate to ensure that the nations in question adhere to the following
eight commitments:
on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees press
freedom;
and prosecute and convict those responsible, whoever they may be;
the safety of journalists;
radio or television frequencies to place pressure on media;
or a fine so high to cause the closure of a media outlet;
out investigative missions without facing political or administrative
obstacles.
In its press release, RSF recalled that, since 1st January 1997, at least
eight journalists have been killed in Latin America while exercising their
profession (three in Mexico, two in Colombia, one in Argentina, one in
Brazil and one in Guatemala). In Peru and Panama, there have been heavy
threats and reprisals against journalists. In Cuba, a journalist was
sentenced to 18 months in jail for “contempt” and “defamation.”
The Iberian and Latin American leaders were expected to sign a document at
the summit “reaffirming the rights to freedom of expression, information
and opinion, fundamental to which is the public’s right to receive free and
true information, without censorship nor restrictions” (translated from the
French). The declaration was to condemn all attacks, and all forms of
violence and pressure on media and journalists. But, RSF said, “the
declaration must translate into concrete measures. This is why RSF is
asking the leaders to create a non-governmental commission to ensure press
freedom is respected in these countries.”
