Freedom of Expression

Press Release R26/13

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Freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests.

Advisory Opinion, OC-5/85, IACtHR

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PRESS RELEASE

R26/13

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR CONDEMNS MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN BRAZIL

 

 

Washington, D.C., April 17, 2013 – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of 43 years old journalist Walgney Assis Carvalho, a freelance photographer who worked for the newspaper Vale do Aço, which occurred on Sunday, April 14th, in the city of Coronel Fabriciano, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Assis Carvalho is the second journalist from the newspaper Vale do Aço murdered this year. On March 8th journalist Rodrigo Neto de Faria was victim of an attack that ended his life. 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 this new crime, identify and appropriately punish the perpetrators.

 

According to the information received, on the night of Sunday 14th, Assis Carvalho was having dinner at a local restaurant in the city of Coronel Fabriciano, state of Minas Gerais, when an unknown person arrived to the place in a motorcycle and fired several shots at him. The journalist used to report about law enforcement issues, and often worked with the journalist killed on March, Neto de Faria. The information indicates that both crimes may be related. Assis Carvalho also worked as a photographer for the Civil Police.

 

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.