(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 22 May 2004, Martín Serrano Herrera, owner of “Tribuna” newspaper, was assaulted by three individuals he identified as members of the Veracruz state security forces. According to Serrano, some questions about the incident remain unanswered as a proper investigation has not been carried out. Members of “Tribuna” informed PROBIDAD that the newspaper […]
(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 22 May 2004, Martín Serrano Herrera, owner of “Tribuna” newspaper, was assaulted by three individuals he identified as members of the Veracruz state security forces. According to Serrano, some questions about the incident remain unanswered as a proper investigation has not been carried out.
Members of “Tribuna” informed PROBIDAD that the newspaper has come under attack in the last four years because of its reports on alleged irregularities in the management of Veracruz state matters. The newspaper has reported that certain individuals who are close to the state governor are allegedly linked to organised crime. Serrano has filed a number of complaints denouncing the harassment he and his newspaper have faced. He told PROBIDAD that investigations have not been launched and that “no one from the state government has communicated with us.”
In a letter to the president of the Veracruz State Human Rights Commission, PROBIDAD said that if “these attacks are linked to ‘Tribuna”s articles, this is a serious violation of the right to distribute information.” According to PROBIDAD, such tactics “create an environment of intimidation and fear among those who dare expose corruption and mismanagement.”
For further information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/index.php?seccion=perseguidos/2004/037.html
For PROBIDAD’s letter to the commission president, see:
http://www.portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2004/carta_veracruz.pdf
