Freedom of Expression

Press Release R84/11

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Every person has the right to freedom of investigation, of opinion, and of the expression and dissemination of ideas, by any medium whatsoever.

American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man

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PRESS RELEASE

R84/11

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR EXPRESSES CONCERN REGARDING SHOTS FIRED AT PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IN VENEZUELA

 

Washington, D.C., August 3, 2011 — The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern regarding the armed attack against the Venezuelan state television station Vive TV Zulia, which occurred on July 31 and caused injuries to two of the station’s employees.

 

According to the information received, on Sunday morning unknown persons in a pickup truck passed in front of the station’s offices in Maracaibo, Zulia state, and fired several times as press employees of the station were leaving the building. As a result of the attack, policeman Gustavo Ceballos received a gunshot wound in the right leg and employee José Brito suffered a fractured leg, when he fell down a stairway while trying to protect himself from the bullets.

 

Vive TV Zulia is a Venezuelan state owned television, inaugurated by President Hugo Chávez in November 2003. It is part of a public regional TV network oriented to broadcast community-based, government and cultural activities.

 

The Office of the Special Rapporteur condemns these acts of violence and intolerance, and considers it essential that the Venezuelan state authorities investigate the attack promptly and diligently in order to prevent the repetition of such acts, identify, prosecute and, if appropriate, punish those responsible, and provide just reparations to the victims.

 

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."