Freedom of Expression
Press Release 135/06
OFFICE OF THE RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION VOICES ITS CONCERN OVER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOURNALIST IN PARAGUAY
Washington, D.C., April 12, 2006. The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States expresses serious concern over the disappearance of Mr. Enrique Galeano, a journalist with Radio Azotey and editor of the magazine Aló Vecino, in the department of Concepción, and urges the Paraguayan authorities to swiftly and effective investigate to determine his whereabouts.
According to the information received by the Office of the Special Rapporteur today, Mr. Galeano, who had received death threats because of his work as a journalist, went on February 4, 2006 to Horqueta, a locality near his residence, where he was last seen. The Office of the Rapporteur has also been informed that the highest-level government authorities have condemned this occurrence, and that the investigation is going forward.
Under the American Convention on Human Rights, the states have the duty to prevent, investigate, and prosecute and punish any violation of the rights recognized in the Convention. A meticulous, effective, and swift investigation into crimes against journalists and other media workers is essential to send a firm message to the effect that the State does not tolerate such grave violations of the right to freedom of expression and to ensure that journalists can continue to due their work safely.
In addition, principle 9 of the IACHR’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression notes: “The murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats to social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media violate the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict freedom of expression. It is the duty of the state to prevent and investigate such occurrences, to punish their perpetrators and to ensure that victims receive due compensation.”
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Ignacio J. Álvarez, noted that “it is especially important that in crimes against journalists, investigations look not only into the direct perpetrators, but also the masterminds, and any other persons whose collaboration and tolerance made it possible for such crimes to be committed.”
For more information on the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria