(FLIP/IFEX) – On 9 November 2001, FLIP reported that once again, paramilitary groups want to silence the Colombian press. FLIP publicly condemned the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC), who continue to harass the national media. In a 9 November 2001 press release, the AUC threatened three journalists and a cameraman […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – On 9 November 2001, FLIP reported that once again, paramilitary groups want to silence the Colombian press. FLIP publicly condemned the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC), who continue to harass the national media.
In a 9 November 2001 press release, the AUC threatened three journalists and a cameraman and advised them to abandon their profession in less than forty-eight hours. Otherwise, states the AUC, they “will be executed.”
The journalists who were declared military targets are: Germán Arcos, cameraman for Caracol Television, Oscar Torres, editor-in-chief of “Diario del Sur”, Cristina Castro, correspondent for Noticiero RCN, and Alfonso Pardo, correspondent for the weekly “VOZ” and peace commissioner for the Nariño department.
This year, ten journalists have been assassinated and fifty-one have been threatened by the various armed actors in Colombia.
FLIP demanded that the life of the communicators be protected and that measures be taken to ensure that journalism can freely be exercised. The organisation asked the national government and the relevant authorities to do everything possible to guarantee the journalists’ safety and to investigate this incident, which constitutes an attack on freedom of expression.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– condemning the incident
Appeals To
Dr. Andrés Pastrana Arango
President of the Republic
Bogotá, Colombia
E-mail: apastra@presidencia.gov.co
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
