Freedom of Expression
Press Release 94/03
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CONDEMNS THE KIDNAPPING OF FOUR JOURNALISTS IN GUATEMALA
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Eduardo A. Bertoni, condemned the kidnapping of a group of civilians, among them four reporters of the newspaper Prensa Libre of Guatemala, by former members of the Civil Self-Defense Patrols (known by the Spanish acronym "ex PAC"), which occurred on Sunday, October 26 in Huehuetenango, in western Guatemala.
The Rapporteur exhorts the Guatemalan authorities to take all of the legitimate actions necessary to guarantee respect for the lives and the integrity of the hostages and calls for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as respect for their physical integrity at all times.
According to the information received by the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, the reporters held by the ex PAC are Fredy López, Alberto Ramírez, Emerson Díaz and Mario Linares.
As he has done repeatedly, the Rapporteur expressed his serious concern about the situation of journalists in Guatemala , who have been the objects of repeated threats and aggressions in the past year, solely because they carry out their duty of informing Guatemalan society. "The assassination, kidnapping, intimidation and threatening of social communicators violate the fundamental rights of persons and strongly restrict freedom of expression," stated Bertoni.
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom
of Expression
Washington , D.C. , October 27, 2003 .