(IPYS/IFEX) – On 1 December 2008, unidentified persons threw tear gas bombs and pamphlets and fired into the air outside the building where journalist Marta Colomina lives in Caracas. Colomina presents an editorial program in Unión Radio and is a columnist for the newspaper “El Universal”. In the pamphlets, which are signed by members of […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 1 December 2008, unidentified persons threw tear gas bombs and pamphlets and fired into the air outside the building where journalist Marta Colomina lives in Caracas.
Colomina presents an editorial program in Unión Radio and is a columnist for the newspaper “El Universal”. In the pamphlets, which are signed by members of the group known as “La Piedrita”, the journalist is declared a “war objective” and is accused of promoting the assassination of President Hugo Chávez through her program.
“La Piedrita” is a group formed in a popular sector of western Caracas. During the last few months they have claimed to be responsible for similar attacks against the headquarters of Globovisión TV station, the newspaper “El Nuevo País” and against the home of Leopoldo Castillo, presenter of the program “Aló Ciudadano” which is broadcasted by Globovisión.
Colomina was not at home at the time of the attack, but her daughter told he what had happened.
In March 2002, Colomina was granted protective measures by the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to guarantee her life after receiving telephone threats.
In June 2003, Colomina suffered an attempt when explosive devices were thrown against her car. The IACHR requested the State to guarantee the journalist’s integrity. These recommendations were repeated in July 2006, after confirming that the State was not complying with them.
IPYS states its concern about this action that risks the journalist’s safety, as well as her relatives’ and neighbors’.
For further information on the June 2003 attack against Colomina, see: http://ifex.org/en/content/view/full/51567
