(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 24 June 1999 RSF press release: For immediate release 24 June 1999 Rio Summit between the European Union and Latin American states Reporters Sans Frontières calls on Latin American countries to combat impunity (two- thirds of murders of journalists go unpunished) and on the European Union to take account […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 24 June 1999 RSF press release:
For immediate release
24 June 1999
Rio Summit between the European Union and Latin American states
Reporters Sans Frontières calls on Latin American countries to combat
impunity (two- thirds of murders of journalists go unpunished) and on the
European Union to take account of the complete lack of press freedom in
Cuba, where three journalists are in jail.
As the 15 states of the European Union and 33 Latin American nations are due
to meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 28 and 29 June, Reporters Sans
Frontières is concerned about the large number of murders of journalists – a
quarter of all those killed worldwide over the past ten years died in Latin
America – and about the impunity enjoyed by the killers. Reporters Sans
Frontières is also alarmed by the state of press freedom in Cuba, the only
country in the region where journalists are currently imprisoned.
Latin America was the scene of a quarter of the murders of journalists over
the past decade, according to RSF figures: 137 out of a total of 531
worldwide. The end of internal conflicts in Peru, Guatemala and Salvador,
and the end of drug terrorism in Colombia at the start of the 1990s, did not
spell an end to the murder of journalists. While in the past they were
killed for covering fighting or for expressing their opinions against a
background of armed struggle, they are now targets because of their
investigative work. Since 1994, 75% of the victims were murdered because of
their investigations, whether concerning drug trafficking or allegations
against politicians, police officers or military men. Colombia, Mexico and
Brazil alone account for over 80% of the murders recorded over the past five
years.
Reporters Sans Frontières condemns the impunity that goes along with these
killings. In 18 out of the 27 murders committed since 1994, police inquiries
have led nowhere. In the other cases – with only one exception – even if
those who carried out the murder have been arrested, the people who gave
them their orders are still at large. Sometimes killers are arrested but not
actually brought to trial. In Mexico, Jaime González Gutiérrez, who is
believed to have murdered journalist Benjamin Flores González on 15 July
1997, was released on 5 March 1999. Despite Reporters Sans Frontières’
requests for an explanation to the Mexican government, no reason has yet
been forthcoming. Benjamin Flores González, founder of the daily La Prensa
in San Luis Colorado, Sonora state, had been making revelations about drug
traffickers, with whom Jaime González Gutiérrez was suspected of
involvement.
Tolerating impunity means accepting that crimes against journalists will
continue, or at least taking the risk that this will happen. It also means
that journalists are forced to exercise self-censorship when dealing with
sensitive subjects such as corruption among politicians and violence by the
police and army.
Reporters Sans Frontières also wishes to point out that in Havana there is
no press freedom at all. Cuba is the only country in Latin America where
journalists are currently in prison. Bernardo Arévalo Padron, founder of the
independent news agency Línea Sur Press, was given a six-year sentence in
November 1997 for “insulting” President Fidel Castro. Manuel Antonio
González Castellanos, a member of the independent news agency Cuba Press,
was arrested on 1 October 1998 and sentenced to two years and seven months
in jail, also for “insulting” the head of state. Jesús Joel Díaz Hernández,
a member of the Cooperativa Ávileña de Periodistas Independientes, received
a four-year sentence in January 1999 because his work as a journalist was
regarded as “a danger to society”.
Cuba is also the only country in Latin America where no media other than
those run by the state are officially allowed. Independent journalists –
about 50 are working for ten or so news agencies that are not recognised by
the government – are still victims of pressure, such as police summonses and
threats of prosecution, in an attempt to make them give up their work. Those
who refuse to get back in line have only two alternatives: prison or exile
(ten Cuban journalists have left the country since 1995). The pressure
increased recently when a new law came into force in March 1999, providing
for up to 20 years’ imprisonment for anyone who makes contact with foreign
media or publishes “subversive” documents.
Reporters Sans Frontières calls on the governments of Latin American states
to take appropriate steps to ensure journalists’ safety, and to give their
legal systems the resources needed to track down, prosecute and sentence
those who order the killing of journalists, as well as the actual murderers.
Our organisation also asks member states of the European Union to take into
account the extent to which countries respect freedom of expression in
deciding on trade, political and cooperation agreements with Latin American
states. In particular, Reporters Sans Frontières calls on the European Union
to consider the state of press freedom in Cuba in the informal contacts
being made with a view to allowing Cuba to become a member of the ACP
(Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) group of countries.
