Yesterday we examined the risks of reporting in Mexico yet an even worse crisis has developed for members of the media in Honduras.Radio International broadcaster Israel Zelaya Diaz was found shot to death in San Pedro Sula on Tuesday. Police have yet to report a motive in the death of the veteran journalist who worked in the press for more than 20 years. But a pair of his former colleagues told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that Zelaya’s “home was damaged in a fire of undetermined origin three months ago.”
International media groups like the CPJ have strongly condemned Zelaya’s death as well as those of other Honduran journalists. A communiqué from Reporters Without Borders called for authorities to “give priority” to the possibility that Zelaya’s death was related to his work. In addition:
“While the motive behind the attack on Mr. Zelaya is not yet known, we would like to again underscore the fact that Honduras has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists," said Anthony Mills, press freedom manager at the International Press Institute.In May, a group of U.N. human rights experts urged officials to create an “independent inquiry” into the violence and harassment against the Honduran press. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights noted in April that the government led by President Porfirio Sosa “bears responsibility for safeguarding civil liberties and human rights.”
Image- CNN (“Family and friends of murdered journalist Joseph Hernandez Ochoa protest in front of the U.S. embassy” in April).
Online Sources- CNN, The Latin Americanist, Canadian Press, Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders
What is frustrating - not to say, maddening - about these murders is that I have no sense, none, that the GOH is doing anything to bring the murderers to justice.
ReplyDeleteThe non-response of the government has been such, that one naturally begins to suspect the government itself in these deaths (or I do, anyway). The government could do much to allay these suspicions/fears by being much more aggressive, publicly in its efforts (if any) track down the murderers. As well, I think it should offer rewards and solicit public help in getting the bad guys. At the same time, I think t police protection should be offered to journalists at this sad juncture...
Is that the democracy the US is pushing the rest of Latin America to embrace?
ReplyDeleteThat's really horrible. Why killers love to kill innocent people?
ReplyDelete