(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 1 and 3 September 2002, threats received by three journalists for investigations they carried out were made public. The journalists include Saulo Borges and Joana Queiroz from the daily “A CrÃtica” in Manaus city, Amazonas state, and Jutan Araújo, a reporter for the television station Camaçari in Camaçari city, Bahia state. During […]
(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 1 and 3 September 2002, threats received by three journalists for investigations they carried out were made public. The journalists include Saulo Borges and Joana Queiroz from the daily “A CrÃtica” in Manaus city, Amazonas state, and Jutan Araújo, a reporter for the television station Camaçari in Camaçari city, Bahia state.
During the week of 26 to 30 August, the “A CrÃtica” journalists reported that they had received threats days earlier. The threats began after Borges and Queiroz started investigating homicides committed by a group seemingly committed to exterminating people in Amazonas.
The National Association of Journalists (Associação Nacional de Jornais, ANJ) sent a letter to the Amazonas governor expressing its “immense concern” over the threats against Borges and Queiroz. The letter also called for “a rigorous investigation into those responsible” for the threats.
Araújo received death threats via telephone after he began investigating individuals who were raiding land in a Camaçari neighbourhood in July. “I go from home to work and work to home. I donât even think about going out alone or at night,” said Araújo.
Araújo added that in the last phone call he received the perpetrator assured him that he knew his daily itinerary and that he was being routinely followed. “I donât know what to do or who to turn to for help. These people have discovered my mobile number. They are scaring me,” Araújo said.
Recommended Action
Send letters of support to:
Saulo Borges and Joana Queiroz
A CrÃtica Newspaper
Tel: +55 92 643 1200 / 643 1257 / 643 1289
E-mail: [email protected]
Jutan Araújo
Bahia Province Union of Journalists
Rua Gregorio de Matos, 25
Pelourinho
CEP 40025-060 Salvador(BA)
Brazil
Tel: +55 071 321 7961
Fax: +55 071 321 1914
E-mail: [email protected]
Send appeals to authorities:
– asking that the journalists receive protection
– calling on them to commit to investigating the threats against the journalists
Appeals To
Amazonino Armando Mendes
Governor of Amazonas
Palacio de Gobierno
Rodovia Dep. Vital de Mendonça – Km 9 – s/n
Bairro de Flores
CEP 69 048-660 – Manaus/AM
Brazil
E-mail: [email protected]
Hélder Almeida
Camaçari Prefect
Av. do Contorno do Centro Cultural, s/n.
CEP – 42800/000 – Camaçari/BA
Brazil
Tel: +55 071 621 6864 / 621 6865
Telefax: +55 071 621 6866
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.redecidada.com.br
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.