ARTICLE 19’s Mexico office has received an anonymous letter containing a direct threat of reprisal for the work that the staff undertakes to protect journalists from violence.
ARTICLE 19’s Mexico office has this morning received an anonymous letter containing a direct threat of reprisal for the work that the staff undertake to protect journalists from violence.
“ARTICLE 19 in Mexico is targeted for asking uncomfortable questions and pursuing the truth: the truth about impunity; the truth about corruption; the truth behind official lies. As a result, the office that works to protect journalists and human rights defenders is itself now in need of protection,” said Dr Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19 executive director.
A letter was discovered this morning at the front door to the ARTICLE 19 office in Mexico City. It makes a direct threat to Director, Dario Ramirez, and the rest of the staff, expressing anger at ARTICLE 19’s work protecting journalists.
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work as a journalist or human rights defender.
“We are facing the situation with all due diligence. It is our priority to safeguard the integrity of our staff, our partners and our allies. We will continue to defend the right to freedom of expression as an essential element to exercise other rights,” stated Dario Ramirez, director of ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America.
The letter threatens:
“Too much fucking freedom. Let’s see how macho you are after you and your cunts are beaten up.
We are fucking tired of you.
We are watching you closely so don’t think you are safe.
We will fuck you assholes. We want to fuck you over.
You know who we are and that we can do it.”
ARTICLE 19 has submitted a complaint to the state agencies in Mexico responsible for investigating such attacks, and trusts that the state protection mechanism will fulfil its mandate.
ARTICLE 19 opened its regional headquarters in 2006 and has since documented and denounced pressure against the media, journalists and others that exercise the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
“Despite this threat we will continue to defend and promote freedom of expression in Mexico,” added Dario Ramirez.
Video Alerta A19 from Article19 on Vimeo.
