(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 7 August 2001 CPJ press release: GUATEMALA: CPJ sends letter of inquiry to attorney general New York, August 7, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) yesterday sent a letter of inquiry to Adolfo González Rodas, attorney general of Guatemala, expressing concern about the August 1 attack by […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 7 August 2001 CPJ press release:
GUATEMALA: CPJ sends letter of inquiry to attorney general
New York, August 7, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) yesterday sent a letter of inquiry to Adolfo González Rodas, attorney general of Guatemala, expressing concern about the August 1 attack by police officers against four Guatemalan journalists who were covering demonstrations protesting a recent tax raise.
According to local sources, when police moved to arrest demonstrators who had engaged in a street battle with officers, journalists attempted to interview or take pictures of the protesters who were being detained. The police then tried to push the journalists away and beat at least four of them. Police also shouted that they did not want to see any journalists around.
CPJ also urged the attorney general to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the matter and requested more information about the inquiry as it becomes available.
For more information about press freedom conditions in Guatemala and to read CPJ’s letter of inquiry to Attorney General González Rodas, visit www.cpj.org.
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world.
