Freedom of Expression
Press release 175/22
SRFOE condemns the murder of journalist
Mike Cabrera in Ecuador and calls on the State to take measures for the
prevention and protection of the press
August 3, 2022
Washington, D.C. - The Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of journalist Mike
Cabrera in the city of Portoviejo, Manabi province, and urges the State to
investigate the facts fully, effectively and impartially, taking into
consideration the journalistic work as a possible motive for the crime, and to
punish those responsible.
According to available information, Mike
Cabrera was shot by a group of unknown individuals in the early morning of July
24, 2022, when he was talking with other people in one of the main avenues of
Portoviejo. Although he was later taken to the hospital of the Instituto
Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social, he did not survive the attack. Mike Cabrera
had worked as a presenter in a news program of the Televisión Manabita channel
and was currently covering local issues through Nexo Digital, his news page on
social networks.
In recent weeks, the Rapporteur’s Office
has received several reports warning about situations of violence against journalists
in Ecuador. Recently, the Office learned of the death threat received by
journalist Paúl Zamora, of the organization Fundamedios, which could be related
to his investigative work on sensitive issues linked to political actors.
According to available information, a complaint for intimidation has been filed
with the corresponding Prosecutor's Office. Fundamedios documented at least 164
aggressions and attacks against journalists in Ecuador in June 2022.
The Special Rapporteur’s Office recalls
that the murder of communicators is the most extreme form of censorship.
According to Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of
Expression of the IACHR, "the murder, kidnapping, intimidation, threats to
social communicators, as well as the material destruction of the media,
violates the fundamental rights of individuals and severely restricts freedom
of expression". As the SRFOE has
pointed out on previous occasions, this type of acts
produces a marked effect of self-censorship, inhibiting journalists from carrying
out their work; and reinforces the tendency to carry out journalism that avoids
reporting on sensitive issues such as security, corruption or drug trafficking.
This Office urges the highest state
authorities to provide a forceful institutional response, rejecting violence
against the press and publicly recognizing the value of journalism in
democratic societies. In accordance with its duty to guarantee the right to
freedom of expression, the State must make its best efforts to investigate and
punish the perpetrators and masterminds of crimes against freedom of
expression, promoting an effective investigation and full reparation.
In this sense, although there are no
records of previous threats against Mike Cabrera, the line of investigation for
retaliation to the journalistic exercise should not be discarded. In turn, the
State should consider the importance of witnesses in the chain of evidence and
consider the possible threats they may receive, providing them with protection
measures.
Finally, the Rapporteur’s Office takes up
the observations made in the 2019
Special Report on the Situation of Freedom of Expression in Ecuador regarding the lack of measures or protocols to guarantee the safety of
journalists and media workers, and reiterates the recommendations of that
report regarding the prevention and protection of journalists. In particular,
the Special Rapporteur’s Office insists on the importance of the State adopting
all necessary measures to prevent further crimes against journalists; and
establishing a policy for the protection of journalists, ensuring that its
content complies with international human rights standards.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for
Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights (IACHR) to stimulate the hemispheric defense of the right to
freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the
consolidation and development of the democratic system.
R175/22