(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2001 AMARC-Bolivia press release: Radio Ondas del Titicaca target of attempted break-in and threats 20 July 2001 — AMARC’s Representatives and Board of Directors in Bolivia regret that, in the midst of a climate of intolerance plaguing the altiplano highlands, the employees of Radio Ondas del Titicaca […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2001 AMARC-Bolivia press release:
Radio Ondas del Titicaca target of attempted break-in and threats
20 July 2001 — AMARC’s Representatives and Board of Directors in Bolivia regret that, in the midst of a climate of intolerance plaguing the altiplano highlands, the employees of Radio Ondas del Titicaca have been subject to attempted violent attacks, threatened with the use of force and intimidated. The radio station, a member of AMARC in La Paz’s Huarina region, was forced to go off the air, following a failed attempt by military personnel to break into its studios on the night of Tuesday 17 July. Locals intervened to prevent the assault from happening.
Such displays of intolerance are an indication of some persons’ contempt for democratic society, which is based on the principles of freedom of expression and the right to communicate. These rights that have come under attack are protected by the American Convention on Human Rights, ratified by Bolivia’s Law No. 1430, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 33 of the International Telecommunications Convention, and Article 7(b) of Bolivia’s Constitution.
Communication (defined as the free and fair circulation of ideas) should be treated not only as a universal and fundamental human right, but when referring to broadcasting in particular, seen as a way to transmit peoples’ opinion, and thus an exercise of the freedom of expression.
The network of forty legally established community radio stations in Bolivia stand behind Radio Ondas del Titicaca, and would like to see the prompt return of this community station to the air. At the same time, the stations have alerted their regional supporters, AMARC’s network in Latin America and the Caribbean.
AMARC Representatives in Bolivia and National Board of Directors
La Paz, 20 July 2001
