(RSF/IFEX) – On 10 November 1998, RSF issued the following press release on the occasion of President Jacques Chirac’s upcoming trip to Mexico: **Updates IFEX alerts of 3 November, 30 October and 19 February 1998** Tuesday 10 November 1998 For immediate release Press Release Mexico Mexico is, along with Colombia, one of the most dangerous […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 10 November 1998, RSF issued the following press release on
the occasion of President Jacques Chirac’s upcoming trip to Mexico:
**Updates IFEX alerts of 3 November, 30 October and 19 February 1998**
Tuesday 10 November 1998
For immediate release
Press Release
Mexico
Mexico is, along with Colombia, one of the most dangerous countries in which
to exercice the journalism profession today. In less than a week, two
information professionals were assassinated. On 23 October, Claudio Cortés
García, journalist with the Mexican edition of “Le Monde Diplomatique” was
found dead in the back seat of a vehicle in Mexico City. He had disappeared
on the night of 20 October. First signs in the
investigation point to the journalist having been strangled over ten hours
before the discovery of his body. The journalist, who was the son of a
former political prisoner, also worked for the “Reforma” and “El Financiero”
dailies and for “La Crísis” magazine.
On 29 October, Pedro Valle Fernández, a Guerrero state radio and television
reporter in Zihuatanajo (close to Acapulco), was shot in the nape of the
neck while sitting in the driver’s seat of his car. The reporter’s
colleagues believe he was assassinated because of his work. Pedro Valle
Fernández had recently produced a report exposing a local child prostitution
ring.
RSF expressed its deep concern in relation to these assassinations to the
President of the Republic, even if it is not possible for the moment to
confirm if Claudio Cortés García and Pedro Valle Fernández were killed
because of their professional activities or for other motives. Four
journalists have been assassinated since May 1997. On 13 February, Luis
Mario García, justice columnist with the daily “La Tarde”, was killed in
Mexico City. The journalist had written many articles on police corruption
and had earlier escaped a 1997 assassination attempt for which the Tijuana
(Baja California city bordering the U.S.) drug cartel, led by the Arellano
Felix brothers, was deemed responsible.
On 13 May, the European Parliament issued a warning in accordance with the
partnership, political coordination and cooperation accord between the
European Union and Mexico. This accord carries a “democracy clause” which
stipulates that it is founded “on the respect of democratic principles and
human rights.” Accrding to the terms of the accord, non-respect of this
“democracy clause” would entail the calling into question of the entire
accord.
RSF asked the president of the Republic to intercede with President Ernesto
Zedillo so that the assassination of journalists does not remain unpunished.
The organisation also asked Mr. Jacques Chirac to highlight the importance
of respecting the “democracy clause” included in the accord between Mexico
and the European Union to the Mexican head of state.
