Freedom of Expression

Press Release 180/07

PRESS RELEASE

PREN 180/07

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN HONDURAS AND DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION

Washington, D.C., October 22, 2007- 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 Carlos Salgado, a Honduran journalist and comedian from Radio Cadena Voces (RCV). The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges the authorities of Honduras to investigate this crime promptly and effectively, to determine whether the murder was related to journalistic activity, and to duly punish those responsible.

According to the media and non governmental organizations, Mr. Salgado was leaving the radio station when four unidentified persons shot him with automatic weapons on October 18 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The murderers ran away in a van, and the reporter died hours later in a hospital. Mr. Salgado hosted a comedy and news radio program called "Frijol El Terrible", and he used to critize politicians in a satirical way. His coworkers said he did not receive any threats. In the past weeks, RCV reporters said they were being intimidated and threaten because of their journalistic work.

The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Ignacio J. Alvarez, expressed his concern about this crime. "The Office of the Special Rapporteur calls on Honduran authorities to act with the due diligence to investigate the murder and to prosecute those responsible," Alvarez said. "It is especially important that in crimes against journalists the States investigate not only the direct perpetrators but also the instigators, conspirators and those who did nothing to stop these crimes."

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression recalls that, under the American Convention on Human Rights, the 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."

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