CJFE protests attacks on free expression in Peru
10 October 2000
President of the Republic of Peru
Ing. Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
Fax +51 1 427-6722 / 426-6535
Dear President Fujimori,
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is concerned about a number of developments that are preventing freedom of the press in Peru, as reported by a delegation from Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). CJFE is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the right to free expression as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
One such cause for concern is the seizure of Channel 2 and Red Global 1160 television stations. IAPA proposed that the stations be returned to their previous owners, saying that this was necessary to ensure that there would be no action or interference by intelligence services in the work of the media and journalists. According to IAPA, the measures currently being implemented are not viable and arbitration by the Inter-American Human Rights Court was suggested.
Another example is the placement of official advertising, which seems to be used as a way of putting pressure on the media by rewarding or punishing them for their news policies and editorial lines. IAPA called for measures to be established to ensure total transparency in the placement of official advertising.
There was some concern with regards to legal actions against the news media. The legal system is currently perceived as a dangerous threat to the media and journalists rather than a protector of human rights. The IAPA delegation stated very clearly that guarantees have to be made at the international level for the legal system to fulfill its role of safeguarding human rights.
The mission was also extremely concerned over the helplessness felt by many journalists in rural areas, who are facing harassment and threats by local authorities.
In particular, CJFE is concerned about journalist Cecilia Valenzuela, who was under surveillance in early September after questioning the actions of the National Intelligence Service (Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional, SIN) according to information collected by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF). Valenzuela is the director of the online news agency imediaperu.com and was pursued after the publication of a series of articles regarding the SIN's role in an arms and drug trafficking case. She received death threats and was subjected to several attacks which appeared to be related to the articles as well as mentions of human rights violations by the military on the program Aqui y Ahora (Here and Now), of which she is the director. We believe it is important to launch an investigation and ensure Valenzuela's safety.
In the case of Cecilia Valenzuela and numerous others unmentioned, it is imperative to ensure that they and others will be able to exercise their right to receive and impart information without fearing for their lives.
We commend the Peruvian government for its cooperation with IAPA's idea of involving the Inter-American Human Rights Court in the cases of Channel 2 and Red Global 1160. We call on the government to fully committ to freedom of expression and the protection of journalists as it is obligated under various international conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We urge you to adopt the recommendations of IAPA and find solutions to relieve the current situation in Peru. CJFE, along with other members of the international free expression community, demands that Peru fully respect the right of Peruvian journalists and citizens to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
Sharmini Peries
Executive Director
cc. Eduardo La Torre
Chief of the OAS Permanent Mission to Peru
Fax: +511-4416715.
Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax +51 1 426-6657
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