(IPYS/IFEX) – On 10 July 2007, journalist Miguel Andrade, director of the community-based radio station Radio Intag, reported that for several months the station has been threatened by workers of the Ascendant Cooper Corporation mining company, because of its stand against mineral extraction. According to Andrade, during the first week of July they threatened to […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 10 July 2007, journalist Miguel Andrade, director of the community-based radio station Radio Intag, reported that for several months the station has been threatened by workers of the Ascendant Cooper Corporation mining company, because of its stand against mineral extraction.
According to Andrade, during the first week of July they threatened to set fire to the headquarters of the station, which is the only media outlet in Peñaherrera, Cotacachi municipality, north of Quito.
On 1 December 2006, unidentified persons cut 5 meters of Intag’s transmission tower’s cable in order to prevent it from reporting about armed groups hired by the company to intimidate the local inhabitants who oppose the mine. Andrade reported this incident to General Luis Garzón of the Army’s First Division in Quito.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the Minister of Government and Police:
– requesting he ensure that the radio station’s employees and headquarters are protected
APPEALS TO:
Gustavo Larrea
Ministro de Gobierno y Policía
(Minister of Government and Police)
Calle Benalcázar N4-24 y Espejo
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 02 2955 666
Fax: +593 02 2958 360
E-mail: informacion@mingobierno.gov.ec
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
