(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 June 2000 IAPA press release: Miami (21 June 2000) – The Inter American Press Association sent a letter today to Bolivian President Hugo Banzer Suárez, calling on him to investigate the Sunday 18 June attack against journalist Ronald Méndez Alpire, which resulted in an injury to his leg. […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 June 2000 IAPA press release:
Miami (21 June 2000) – The Inter American Press Association sent a letter today to Bolivian President Hugo Banzer Suárez, calling on him to investigate the Sunday 18 June attack against journalist Ronald Méndez Alpire, which resulted in an injury to his leg. Below, please find a copy of the entire text, which was signed by President of the Press Freedom Committee Rafael Molina, of “El Nacional” in the Dominican Republic.
“Mr. President:
The Inter American Press Association has observed with concern the attempt against journalist Ronald Méndez Alpire’s life. We consider the incident to be a threat to freedom of expression and the press, and therefore request that you intervene in order to shed light on the occurrence and ensure that the guilty parties are tried in the Bolivian courts.
On the night of 11 June, Méndez Alpire was injured in the leg when he left Deputy Roberto Landivar’s home in the city of Santa Cruz. Landivar witnessed the perpetrator’s attack, who shot from a meter away, and his disappearance. It is believed that the incident was a warning to the journalist.
Because he is the author of numerous investigative reports on corruption, narcotics trafficking and other issues which are sensitive topics for Bolivian society, it is presumed that the attack against Méndez Alpire might be related to the content of his writing.
Mr. President, we know that your government has initiated an investigative process into this attack, but we must insist that results are obtained in an expeditious manner in order to clear up any doubts about the press freedom situation and guarantees in your country.”
