Freedom of Expression

Press Release R16/19

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of José Rafael Murúa Manríquez and observes with concern the continuity of violence against journalists in México

January 25, 2018

Washington, D.C. - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of José Rafael Murúa Manríquez committed in Mexico and observes with concern the continuity of violence against journalists and the risk they face in carrying out their activities. This Office urges the Mexican State to completely investigate this crime and other crimes that are still unpunished in an effective and impartial manner; to clarify their motives and judicially determine the relationship they may have with journalism and freedom of expression. Likewise, urges the State to implement prevention measures and safeguards for journalists at risk.

 According to the information available, José Rafael Murúa Manríquez, aged 34, was the director of "Radiokashana" and collaborated with other media, addressed cultural and political topics, and was also a human rights defender and activist. According to what was informed, he became a beneficiary of the Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in 2017.

 In addition, his family had reported that José Rafael Murúa went out for a walk on the night of January 19 and never heard from him since then. On the following day, during the afternoon, his vehicle was identified and his body was found later on in the Carretera Santa Rosalía highway of San Ignacio, the body had several thorax perforations.

 Likewise, according to what was informed, the journalist had publicly reported threats and assaults against him during the past weeks, and had pointed at the municipal government’s administration of Mulegé, Baja California Sur as responsible for these incidents. However, he did not formally informed the Protection Mechanism about these events.

On the other hand, with respect to this crime, the State reported that the Federal Mechanism had knowledge and followed up on the death threat received by the journalist in November 2018 as a result of a publication made by the said person through social networks. It also reported that the journalist was under protective measures such as an assistance device with geolocation with immediate reaction system, had emergency numbers, and infrastructure at home.

The State also informed the Office of the Special Rapporteur that the Executive Commission for Victim Assistance is carrying out procedures to provide the family with funeral expenses, legal and psychological support.

 Likewise, according to the information provided by the State, the governor of the state of Baja California Sur condemned the murder of the journalist and declared that he instructed the State Prosecutor's Office to follow all the lines of investigation to clarify the crime. Similarly, the Ministry of the Interior had requested the Attorney General of the Republic for the Feadle to cover the case for due investigation and clarification of the facts.

Finally, the State reported that the head of the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists committed to advancing in measures for institutional strengthening.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur notes with concern the continuity of violence against journalists. In 2018, at least 12 journalists were killed and more than one hundred cases of assault against journalists and the media were reported.

 "This new murder shows that in several Mexican regions exist concrete risks related to the performance of journalistic activities. The new government shall take preventive measures and provide all the necessary guarantees so that journalists can carry out their duties; It is important that high authorities deliver a message condemning these kinds of crimes and acknowledge the value of their work as journalists," said Special Rapporteur Edison Lanza.

After an in loco visit to Mexico, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, together with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, underscored that attacks on journalists in Mexico "persist today, accompanied by a continuing sense of insecurity and impunity. The systematic nature of the violence demands not just specific individual measures but also ones of a structural nature. […] "PGR’s compliance with its duty of identifying and investigating the risks faced by beneficiaries shall be considered as an essential element of all protection programs."

The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the Mexican Government to intensify its initiatives and other preventive measures, in accordance with its international obligations, taking into consideration the specific nature of the risks and their particular contexts.

 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 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.

R16/19