On Monday 3 January 2000, the Rio de Janeiro Professional Journalists Union informed the human rights section for Latin America of the IFJ that a number of photojournalists were assaulted. Fernando Bizerra of “Jornal do Brasil”, Edivaldo Ferreira and José Paulo Lacerda of “Agencia Estado”, Sheila Chagas, freelance journalist with “Editora Abril” and Rosa Costa […]
On Monday 3 January 2000, the Rio de Janeiro Professional Journalists Union informed the human rights section for Latin America of the IFJ that a number of photojournalists were assaulted. Fernando Bizerra of “Jornal do Brasil”, Edivaldo Ferreira and José Paulo Lacerda of “Agencia Estado”, Sheila Chagas, freelance journalist with “Editora Abril” and Rosa Costa of “Agencia Estado” were attacked by military police officers, while they were covering end of year events at the Copacabana Fort, which were attended by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
The photojournalists were severely beaten and death threats were directed against Bizerra, despite the fact that the journalists were accredited by the Palace and Planalto Press Secretary.
The Rio de Janeiro Professional Journalists Union renounced the incompetence of the presidentâs security services, which permitted the attack to occur. The journalists were photographing a discussion with one of the military base commanders.
The union has demanded that the officers responsible for the attack be punished.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– expressing your concern over the attack against the photojournalists, noting that they had been authorised to attend the end of year event at the Copacabana Fort
– urging the president to ensure that those responsible for the attack are punished and that journalists can carry out their profession freely
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
President of the Republic
Office of the President
Planalto Palace
Brazilia, Brazil
Fax: +55 61 411 1573 /1935
E-mail: protocolo@planalto.gov.br
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
