Press Release R01/09
PRESS RELEASE
PREN R01/09
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN VENEZUELA AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION
Washington, D.C, January 22, 2009 - 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 Orel Sambrano, director of ABC de la semana and Radio América in Carabobo, Venezuela. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges Venezuelan authorities to investigate this crime promptly and effectively, and to duly prosecute those responsible.
On the afternoon of January 16, 2009, an unidentified person who was traveling in a motorcycle, shot Sambrano down in front of a video store in the city of Valencia. The reporter died from a gunshot wound on the back of his head. According to the information published by local press and non governmental organizations, Sambrano was highly recognized within the academy and among journalists. In his daily work, the reporter systematically denounced local drug traffic and corruption situations. According to this information, local journalists believe Sambrano may have been killed in retaliation for his reporting.
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."
For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/index.asp?lID=1
