Freedom of Expression

Press Release R37/08

Quote of the day

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice

Article 13 of the American Convention of Human Rights

Links

PRESS RELEASE

PREN R37/08

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF CAMERAMAN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

 

Washington, D.C, August 14, 2008 - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States deplores the murder of Normando García, cameraman of a news show, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges Dominican authorities to investigate this crime promptly and effectively, and to duly prosecute those responsible.

 

On August 7, 2009, during the afternoon, García, a cameraman for the daily news show "Detras de la Noticia" and producer of the music show "Pachanga Mix" on television station Teleunión, was dropping his car in a car-wash when unidentified persons shot him from a moving car, according to local press and non governmental organizations. García died in the place where the attack happened. A taxi driver, who was with him and was also shot, died a few hours later. García’s coworkers said that during the past months the cameraman, who used to cover police information, had received life threats related to his journalistic work, and that his car had been set on fire outside the channel offices.

 

Under the American Convention on Human Rights, States have the duty to prevent, investigate, and sanction any violation of the rights recognized therein. Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states that "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."

 

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/index.asp?lID=1