Journalist Danilo Osmaro Castellanos received threats to his life and that of his family, after criticising the management of a high-level municipal official in Copán.
(C-Libre/IFEX) – 24 February 2012 – On 22 February, C-Libre vice-president and journalist Danilo Osmaro Castellanos received threats to his life and that of his family, after criticising the management of a high-level municipal official in Copán, in western Honduras. Castellanos hosts the news programme “Honduras A Todo Noticias” on channel 32.
Castellanos told C-Libre that he had gotten threats via text message and phone calls that said “We know you, journalist . . . you have half an hour, . . . we know your family.” In another message received while he was working, he got another death threat.
Castellanos has filed a report with the national Human Rights Commission and the National Criminal Investigation office. He said that the situation for journalists is tense and complicated, “It’s difficult and dangerous to be a journalist here – every comment can result in serious consequences.”
On 24 November 2011, C-Libre issued a statement about threats Castellanos was receiving for his reporting on mining projects in the region.
C-Libre condemns the threats against the journalist as violations of the rights to freedom of thought and expression. The organisation calls on the authorities to investigate the origins of the threats and also calls on the national and international communities to press Honduras to take the necessary precautions to safeguard the lives of Castellanos and his family.
