At least four journalists receive threats in response to publication of reports

(PFC/IFEX) – At least four journalists have received threats in response to the publication of reports about alleged irregularities in the municipal government of Tláhuac, in Mexico City, headed by Francisco Martínez Rojo. Sergio Zárate and Carlos Peralta, editors-in-chief of the municipal newspapers “El Hijo del Tlacuache” and “El Informativo”, respectively, are also employees of […]

(PFC/IFEX) – At least four journalists have received threats in response to the publication of reports about alleged irregularities in the municipal government of Tláhuac, in Mexico City, headed by Francisco Martínez Rojo.

Sergio Zárate and Carlos Peralta, editors-in-chief of the municipal newspapers “El Hijo del Tlacuache” and “El Informativo”, respectively, are also employees of the governmental Civil Protection Office. On 3 March 2003, they were removed from their government posts and placed at the disposal of the personnel office, in reprisal for the publication of reports about irregularities in the municipal government. Zarate has also received threatening telephone calls, and his home has been filmed by unidentified individuals, following his denunciations, most of which have dealt with Civil Protection Office employees’ working conditions.

Ricardo Cruzado, a reporter and host of the news programme “Nueva Imagen”, has also been threatened for making accusations against the Martínez Rojo government.

Another journalist who has been threatened is Armando Ramírez, whose articles have been published in “El Informativo”, “El Hijo del Tlacuache” and “Ahuejote”. In reprisal, Ramírez’s wife, teacher Emiliana Martínez Miguel, was fired from her job on 31 December 2002, after her superiors warned her about the “discomfort” caused by Ramírez’s accusations. Ramírez’s pay as Civil Protection Office Project Coordinator has been withheld since 1 October, and he has received threatening messages by various means.

PFC sent a letter to Federal District Human Rights Commission (CDHDF) President Emilio Álvarez Icaza Longoria, expressing its concern about the journalists’ situation. PFC asked the CDHDF, which is a branch of the Mexico City government, to “take measures to protect journalists Zárate, Peralta, Cruzado and Ramírez; and to investigate the events and ensure that those responsible be appropriately sanctioned.”

For PFC’s letter to the CDHDF and other information on the case (in Spanish), see: http://www.portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/028.html

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