Freedom of Expression
Press Release 137/06
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION EXPRESSES HIS CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION OF PERUVIAN JOURNALIST
Washington, D.C., April 20, 2006. The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses concern over the situation of journalist Marilú Gambini, of the Confidencial program on the television network Canal 31 (“Channel 31”), who had to leave Peru with her family due to death threats against her. The Rapporteurship urges the Peruvian authorities to investigate the facts swiftly and effectively, to ensure that the persons responsible are duly punished, and to guarantee the conditions necessary for Ms. Gambini to be able to return to Peru and continuing practicing her profession as a journalist.
According to the information received by the Office, journalist Marilú Gambini was investigating drug-trafficking in the city of Chimbote, as a result of which she was constantly receiving death threats directed against her and her family. It was indicated that she had reported these facts to the Office of the Prosecutor in Chimbote, where she also sought protection. On March 28, 2006, Ms. Gambini received a new death threat, by phone, which triggered her decision to leave Peru with her children on April 10, 2006.
The Office of the Rapporteur emphasizes that threats aimed at silencing journalists constitute a serious form of coercion aimed at clamping down on their right to freedom of expression, and also violate the right of the community at large to receive information. Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR points out: “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.”
Ignacio Álvarez, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, stated: “the States are under an international obligation to duly investigate the threats received by journalists, so as to prevent violations of their rights to life and personal integrity, and to ensure that they can do their work, as journalists, without any public or private interference.”
For more information on the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/