(PFC/IFEX) – PFC has been informed of a total of 18 attacks against Guatemalan journalists so far in 2003, the last seven of which took place in June and July. The information was confirmed by the independent new agency Centro de Reportes Informativos sobre Guatemala (Cerigua). Four of the cases involve members of the Cerigua […]
(PFC/IFEX) – PFC has been informed of a total of 18 attacks against Guatemalan journalists so far in 2003, the last seven of which took place in June and July. The information was confirmed by the independent new agency Centro de Reportes Informativos sobre Guatemala (Cerigua). Four of the cases involve members of the Cerigua journalism team, in addition to a case involving a Cerigua office administrator.
The cases are as follows:
* Angel Martín Tax, “Prensa Libre” newspaper correspondent in the department of Alta Verapaz: On 8 July, Tax found a glass vase with flowers in the doorway of his house. In Guatemala, the vase with flowers symbolises a funeral event. Tax has received death threats in the past and on 7 July 2003 he was assaulted by unknown individuals who also stole the equipment he uses for his work.
* Luis De León, of “elPeriódico” newspaper: On 3 July, De León’s house was broken into and his computer files were stolen.
* Luis Barillas, “Prensa Libre” correspondent in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz department, and host of “La voz de la comunidad” radio programme, broadcast in Rabinal by the Radio San Pablo radio station: On 3 July, a home-made bomb was thrown at Barillas’ house.
* Judith Morán Cruz, Cerigua correspondent in Baja Verapaz: Since 29 July, Morán Cruz has received several death threats. A bag of hers was also stolen when she was traveling from Guatemala City to Baja Verapaz in February, a week before an attack on another Cerigua journalist, Elizabel Enriquez.
* José Rubén Zamora, director of “elPeriódico”: Zamora has been the target of multiple attacks since 24 July, as well as in previous years. In July he was forced to send his family into exile.
* Pablo Joaquín Rax, director of “La Noticia” radio news programme in Cobán, Alta Verapaz: In June, Rax received several death threats and an 18 year-old cousin of his was murdered.
* Edgar René Sáenz, director and host of “Somos de Hoy” programme of Xocomil Stéreo radio station in Sololá, and the “Prensa Libre” and “Nuestro Diario” newspapers’ correspondent for the southeastern region of Guatemala: In May and June, Sáenz received death threats related to his radio reports.
* Ricardo Castro, member of the Instituto de Previsión Social del Periodista (IPSP) and Asociación de Periodistas de Guatemala (APG) press organisations: In May, Castro received death threats and letters with other threatening messages.
* Alberto Sandoval, director of Tamazulapa radio station in Jutiapa: In May, Sandoval received death threats.
* Milton Oswaldo Martínez, Ke Buena radio station broadcaster: Martínez was found dead in a ravine on 25 May. He had been kidnapped four days earlier.
* Edwin Quiñonez, “La Hora” evening newspaper journalist: Quiñonez received death threats and was otherwise intimidated and insulted on 23 May.
* Rualdo Hernández, Cerigua journalist: On 12 May, Hernández was surrounded by eight armed individuals after leaving the Cerigua office.
* Ileana Alamilla, director of Cerigua and head of the APG’s Press Freedom Committee: Alamilla’s car was stolen from in front of her office on 9 April.
* Gonzalo Marroquín and “Prensa Libre”: On 30 March, the attorney general referred to journalists as “cowards” and threatened to “expose” the director of “Prensa Libre”, Gonzalo Marroquín, for allegedly acting irresponsibly and publishing biased information.
* Marielos Monzón, radio host and “Prensa Libre” columnist: On 2 March, several men entered and searched Monzón’s house but did not take anything of value. Monzón had previously received death threats.
* Elizabel Enriquez, Cerigua journalist: Elizabel Enriquez was threatened and beaten on 23 February when she opened the main entrance to the Cerigua office.
* Maricely Enriquez, Cerigua office administrator: Maricely Enriquez was assaulted near the Cerigua office a week before the attack on Elizabel Enriquez.
* Pop 95 FM radio station: In January, the broadcast system for Pop 95 FM was sabotaged and several of its broadcasters received death threats, reportedly in reprisal for complaints they had made regarding corruption and the incomplete implementation of the peace accords.
By monitoring the Guatemalan press and speaking to journalists, PFC has determined that these journalists have primarily distinguished themselves with reports on corruption and other illicit activities involving government personnel and members of the ruling party.
