During the 29 August 1996 attack on several journalists who were covering a demonstration by coca cultivators in the Caqueta department of Colombia, soldiers fired on five Colombian journalists, all of whom were clearly identified as journalists by brightly coloured flak jackets marked with the names of their news organisations. The journalists fired upon are: […]
During the 29 August 1996 attack on several journalists who were
covering a demonstration by coca cultivators in the Caqueta
department of Colombia, soldiers fired on five Colombian
journalists, all of whom were clearly identified as journalists
by brightly coloured flak jackets marked with the names of their
news organisations. The journalists fired upon are: Luis Alberto
Mito of the Bogota daily “El Tiempo”, as well as four reporters
for Bogota-based television stations: Camilo Chaparro, a reporter
for Noticiero CM, Gloria Tisna, a reporter for Noticiero
Nacional, Jaime Orlando Gaiten with Caracol 7:30, and Maribel
Orsorio, an assistant with QAP Noticias.
**Provides further information to IFEX alert
dated 30 August 1996**
Background Information
According to an alert originated by Reporters sans frontieres
(RSF), several attacks against journalists in the past two weeks
are the result of attempts by the media to cover protests by coca
producers against the eradication and substitution campaign of
the Colombian government. Several journalists have complained of
threats made to them both from security forces and the coca
producers during the coverage of protests against the campaign
(see IFEX alert).
Recommended Action
Continue sending appeals to authorities:
and threats against the working press and to conduct an immediate
investigation into the attacks against these journalists
to investigate these attacks and to ensure that the armed forces
respect the right of the press to work freely
Appeals To
His Excellency Ernesto Samper Pizano
President of the Republic of Colombia
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8, No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 289 3377 / 286 7434 / 286 7324/ 287 7937
Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 286 6524 / 286 0485
Dr. Juan Carlos Esguerra Portocarrero
Minister of National Defence
Ministry of National Defence
Avenida Eldorado CAN – Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 222 1874
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.