Freedom of Expression

Press Release R50/08

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Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice

Article 13 of the American Convention of Human Rights

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PRESS RELEASE

PREN R50/08

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN MEXICO AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

 

Washington, D.C, November 14, 2008 - 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 deplores the murder of Armando Rodríguez Carreón, journalist of the daily El Diario at Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges Mexican authorities to investigate this crime promptly and effectively, and to duly prosecute those responsible.

 

On November 13 2008, early in the morning, Rodríguez Carreón was leaving his house in a car to drive his daughter to school, when unidentified persons approached him and shot him several times. The reporter died in the place. Rodríguez Carreón had been working for more than ten years covering police information for El Diario. According to local press and non governmental organizations, at the beginning of the year he received threats, so he left the city for a couple of months. During 2008, Ciudad Juárez has been the center of a wave of drug-related violence.

 

Under the American Convention on Human Rights, States have the duty to prevent, investigate, and sanction any violation of the rights recognized therein. Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states that "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." The Office of the Special Rapporteur requests an investigation on this crime and to duly prosecute those responsible.

 

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/index.asp?lID=1