(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 25 February 2003, at midday, two journalists were brutally assaulted by Argentine Federal Police (Policía Federal Argentina, PFA) officers and another was detained. The incidents occurred during the eviction of 100 people from a Buenos Aires building the local government feels is in danger of collapsing. The journalists were reporting on confrontations […]
(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 25 February 2003, at midday, two journalists were brutally assaulted by Argentine Federal Police (Policía Federal Argentina, PFA) officers and another was detained. The incidents occurred during the eviction of 100 people from a Buenos Aires building the local government feels is in danger of collapsing. The journalists were reporting on confrontations between police and the individuals being evicted, who were supported by organisations for the unemployed.
Julián Sequeira, camera operator for the “Puntodoc/2” programme, broadcast on the station América TV, was severely beaten by members of the PFA’s Infantry Guard (riot squad). The officers broke his nose and seized his camera. Sequeira was first held at the 14th Police Station and later taken by police to Argerich hospital, a few blocks from the confrontation.
“Puntodoc/2” producer Maximiliano García Solla was taken to the same police station and released at 8:30 p.m. (local time) on 25 February. According to police sources, he is facing charges of “resisting authority”.
América TV camera operator Michael Carcachi was also beaten, even though he was clearly identified as a member of the press and was standing in an area where the confrontation had died down. He was filming a wounded youth when riot squad members attacked him with clubs.
PERIODISTAS believes the attack on the reporters was intended to prevent the public from receiving information about the violent repression that “seems to have become normal procedure since 20 December 2001.” At that time, the social unrest that resulted in the resignation of former president Fernando de la Rúa was brutally repressed by authorities. The organisation demanded “once more that the authorities comply with their duty to restrain and punish those responsible for these crimes, whose goal is to impede freedom of information.”
Recommended Action
Send letters of support for the journalists to:
PERIODISTAS
Fax: + 54 11 4300 6149
E-mail: periodistas@asociacionperiodistas.org
Send appeals to the minister of justice, security and human rights:
– condemning the PFA’s actions
– asking that those responsible for violating the journalists’ rights be identified
Appeals To
Juan José Álvarez
Minister of Justice, Security and Human Rights
Direct line: +54 11 4331 8488
Tel/Fax: + 54 11 4328 2442 / 2730
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
