(IPYS/IFEX) – In the early hours of 22 August 2006, a Municipal Police squadron opened fire against photographers Jorge Luis Plata of “Reforma” newspaper, Luis Alberto Cruz of “Milenio” newspaper and a “Televisión Azteca” team of reporters, while they covered a police operation to evict the members of the Permanent Assembly of the People of […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – In the early hours of 22 August 2006, a Municipal Police squadron opened fire against photographers Jorge Luis Plata of “Reforma” newspaper, Luis Alberto Cruz of “Milenio” newspaper and a “Televisión Azteca” team of reporters, while they covered a police operation to evict the members of the Permanent Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (Asamblea Permanente del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO) from the premises of radio station La Ley, which they occupied on 21 August (see IFEX alerts of 23 and 22 August 2006). There were no casualties. The event took place in the state of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico.
Plata stated that they were taking pictures of the vans which transported the policemen taking part in the operative, when the policemen noticed them and started shooting without any provocation. Plata insisted that the policemen were made aware that they were photographers. The reporters took cover behind nearby electrical poles to avoid being wounded. Aristeo López Martínez, director of the Municipal Police, was in command of the operation.
“Televisión Azteca” journalist Édgar Galicia stated that the policemen got out of the vans and aimed at him, the cameraman and his assistant with their guns. He declared that even though the crew members identified themselves, the police confiscated their video camera, microphone and all their cell phones.
Oaxaca has been immersed in social conflict for the last three months; this has affected freedom of the press (see IFEX alerts of 10 August, 25 and 24 July, and 19 June 2006). IPYS considers that the union has violated freedom of the press and of expression by using the restriction of these rights to put pressure on the government so it will comply with its demands. IPYS also urges the authorities to use dialogue in order to resolve the situation at the occupied radio and television stations and protect the lives of the workers who are being held captive.
