(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Mireya Moscoso, RSF protested the arrest of Ubaldo Davis, Herbert Rattry and Joel DÃaz, managers of the weekly “La Cáscara News”. The three journalists are being accused by the president and Winston Spadafora, minister of the interior and minister of justice, of “attacking their honour.” The organisation asked […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Mireya Moscoso, RSF protested the arrest of Ubaldo Davis, Herbert Rattry and Joel DÃaz, managers of the weekly “La Cáscara News”. The three journalists are being accused by the president and Winston Spadafora, minister of the interior and minister of justice, of “attacking their honour.” The organisation asked Moscoso to withdraw the complaint and charges against the press professionals. “It seems shocking that two of the journalists were arrested at their homes, at night, for publishing a simple humourous article,” stated RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. He recalled that according to United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Abid Hussain, “imprisonment as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion constitutes a serious violation of human rights.” Also, in accordance with Article 11 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, “laws that penalise offensive expressions directed at public officials ⦠restrict freedom of expression.” In the letter, RSF also expressed concern over the detention of three more journalists in connection with the same case.
According to information collected by RSF, Davis and Rattry, managers of the satirical weekly “La Cáscara News”, were arrested at their homes on the night of 19 September 2001. The following day, DÃaz, who also works at the weekly, was arrested. President Moscoso and Spadafora have filed charges against the three journalists for “defamation.” According to Davis’ lawyer, Roberto Murgas, they are also being accused of “threatening state security.” The weekly’s first edition, published a few days earlier, included a humourous article about Moscoso’s alleged romantic involvement with former Health Minister José Terán, and with Spadafora. The newspaper also published two photomontages showing the president embracing the two ministers.
On 19 September, the weekly was banned because management at the newspaper did not respect Law 11 of 10 February 1978 on the procedures to be followed when registering a new newspaper. Davis, Rattry and DÃaz were released on the afternoon of 21 September. According to Murgas, Davis and Rattry’s detention for more than twenty-four hours was illegal and their rights were not respected. The three men are now facing a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment for “defamation.” Murgas also noted that the crime of “threatening state security” can carry a penalty of up to twenty years’ imprisonment. Shortly after being released, Davis announced that he would apologise to the president and that, on 24 September, he would publish a new edition of “La Cáscara News” after completing all the necessary administrative procedures.
Delmiro Quiroga, cartoonist for “La Cáscara News”, and Ramon Boutrich were also detained briefly on 20 September and interrogated about their alleged involvement in the weekly’s publication. A sixth journalist, Samid Botello, cameraman for Canal 13, was detained briefly during clashes between police and journalists in front of the local police station, where two of the three managers of “La Cáscara News” were being held.
