Freedom of Expression

Press Release R139/12

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PRESS RELEASE

R139/12

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR CONDEMNS KILLING OF JOURNALIST IN BRAZIL

 

Washington, D.C., November 27, 2012 − The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of Eduardo Carvalho, owner and editor of the news website UH News (Última Hora News), which took place on November 21 in Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. The Office of the Special Rapporteur expresses its concern and requests that the authorities conduct a prompt and diligent investigation to establish the motive of the crime, identify and appropriately punish the perpetrators.

 

According to the information received, an unidentified man shot Carvalho to death while he was outside his home in Campo Grande. The information available indicates that the journalist had received serious threats for publishing allegations against the police and local officials of Mato Grosso do Sul.

 

The ninth principle of the IACHR Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression states: "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 Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to encourage the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the hemisphere, given the fundamental role this right plays in consolidating and developing the democratic system.