(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 February 2005 IAPA press release: IAPA calls on authorities to take action in murders and attacks against Brazilian journalists Miami (February 9, 2005) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) sent this week three protest letters to Brazilian officials on the murders of two journalists and an assault […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 February 2005 IAPA press release:
IAPA calls on authorities to take action in murders and attacks against Brazilian journalists
Miami (February 9, 2005) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) sent this week three protest letters to Brazilian officials on the murders of two journalists and an assault against another by a businessman.
In a letter to Justice Minister Márcio Thomaz Bastos, the IAPA requested that the investigation of the June 2004 murder of reporter Jorge Lourenço dos Santos, in the town of Santana do Ipanema, Alagoas State, be placed under federal jurisdiction.
The hemispheric organization believes that the alleged involvement of local politicians in this murder lessens guarantees at the state level for a transparent trial.
The IAPA based its request on a constitutional amendment passed by Congress on December 8, 2004, on judicial reforms that allow crimes against human rights, such as torture and extermination, to be placed under federal jurisdiction. Murders of journalists are included under the amendment.
Meanwhile, in another letter addressed to the Sergipe State Chief of Police, Luis Antônio Araújo Mendonça, the IAPA expressed concern over the authorities’ failure to prosecute the main individual suspected of being behind the murder of radio reporter José Wellington Fernandes, who was also known as Zezinho Cazuza.
During his radio programme, Wellington Fernandes reported on alleged irregularities in the Canindé de São Francisco government. The locality’s former mayor, Genivaldo Galindo da Silva, is believed to be behind the 13 March 2000 murder. Da Silva is also facing an arrest warrant for other crimes and administrative negligence. To date, only the person who actually killed Wellington Fernandes has been brought to trial and sentenced to 19 years in prison.
“We are concerned that, as in other cases of journalists murdered while on duty, the mastermind behind the crime is not held accountable for his acts and only intermediaries or hired hit men are prosecuted,” the IAPA expressed in its letter to police chief Araújo.
Finally, the IAPA publicly condemned the attack against reporter Lúcio Flávio de Faria Pinto, editor of Jornal Pessoal newspaper, who was beaten on January 21, 2005 by businessman Ronaldo Maiorama. Maiorama, owner of Jornal O Liberal newspaper in Belém do Pará, was offended by comments made against him by Pinto.
