(PFC/IFEX) – On 26 October 2002, four journalists were among a group of persons who were restrained and injured during a Greenpeace demonstration in Buenos Aires. Journalist Luis Gras, of the daily “La Tapa”, was assaulted and detained. Upon his release, police opened a case against him for “resisting authority and damaging private property”. Indymedia […]
(PFC/IFEX) – On 26 October 2002, four journalists were among a group of persons who were restrained and injured during a Greenpeace demonstration in Buenos Aires.
Journalist Luis Gras, of the daily “La Tapa”, was assaulted and detained. Upon his release, police opened a case against him for “resisting authority and damaging private property”. Indymedia Argentina reported that two journalists from their organisation and another from Indymedia Italia were injured when “the police began to shoot rubber bullets and set off tear gas to disperse the crowd of over 100 people.” The independent media centre noted that the journalists were “trying to cover the events normally. They were hit by several rubber bullets, which was above and beyond the assaults they had already endured.”
PFC noted that this assault and others demonstrate the increased repression against Argentinean journalists, who are trying to inform the public about corruption, citizens’ protests against the economic situation and other important events. The Greenpeace demonstration at the National Congress was held to influence a legislative decision to stop nuclear waste from entering the country.
Protests, appeals, reports and other information on the case can be found at: www.portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2002/095.html.
Recommended Action
Send letters of support to:
“La Tapa”
E-mail: dlatapa@yahoo.com.ar
Internet: http://www.dlatapa.unlugar.com
Indymedia
E-mail: argentina@indymedia.org
Internet: http://www.argentina.indymedia.org/
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting the assaults on the journalists
– calling on them to ensure greater security and guarantees for the journalistic profession
Appeals To
Ing. Felipe Solá
Buenos Aires Provincial Governor
Tel/fax: 54 11 429 4000/1
E-mail: prensa@spd.gba.gov.ar
Dr. Eduardo Mondino
Ombudsman
Fax: +54 11 4819 1581
E-mail: defensor@defensor.gov.ar
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
