Freedom of Expression

Press Release R143/12

PRESS RELEASE

R143/12

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR URGES THE AUTHORITIES TO INVESTIGATE DEATH OF A JOURNALIST IN COLOMBIA

Washington, D.C., December 4, 2012 – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern for the death of journalist Guillermo Quiroz, which took place on November 27 in Sincelejo, department of Sucre, and asks the authorities to carry out a diligent, timely and exhaustive investigation.

According to the information received, Quiroz was covering a protest against the company Pacific Rubiales in San Pedro, Sucre, when members of the National Police impounded his motorcycle. According to declarations made by Quiroz in a televised interview, members of the police put him into an official vehicle and allegedly beat him and pushed him out while it was in motion. After spending seven days in the intensive care unit of a local hospital, the journalist died. Although some local police authorities originally denied that brutality took place, authorities at the highest levels later reported that the agents who allegedly participated in the events were suspended and that criminal and disciplinary actions were opened.

Reports indicate that prior to these events Quiroz had received threats that were related to his journalistic work.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the competent authorities to clarify the cause of death of Guillermo Quiroz, to identify and sanction the responsible parties, and to ensure that his family receives proper reparations.

Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR 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.

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