Freedom of Expression

Press Release R69/11

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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 

R69/11

OFFICE OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR CONDEMNS MURDER OF BLOGGER IN BRAZIL AND RECOGNIZES AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVE IN INVESTIGATING THE CRIME

Washington, D.C., July 14, 2011—The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of the Brazilian journalist and political leader, Edinaldo Filgueira, and recognizes the Brazilian authorities' speed in investigating the circumstances of the attack, and identifying and arresting several suspects. Filgueira was killed on June 15 in the town of Serra do Mel, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

 According to the information available, three men approached Filgueira when he was leaving work and shot him at least six times. Filgueira had been president of the Workers’ Party in Serra do Mel and wrote a blog on political and regional issues. He had recently published an article in which he criticized community authorities, for which he had reportedly received death threats.

In a rapid response, on July 2 and 3, the authorities arrested five suspects in the murder and seized weapons and ammunition that may have been used in the attack. The prosecutors responsible for the investigation have told Brazilian media outlets that the attack on Filgueira was apparently motivated by his publications.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur takes note of the diligent response of the authorities and encourages the State of Brazil to continue the investigations so as to identify and arrest the masterminds of the murder, prosecute the suspects, and punish those shown to have participated in the attack. The Office of the Special Rapporteur believes that timely investigations are critical to combating impunity and preventing the recurrence of such crimes.

Principle 9 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."