HRF Denounces Violations of Freedom of the Press and Asks OAS Secretary General—for the Third Time—to Activate the Democratic Clause

NEW YORK (November 26, 2008) – The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) published its most recent letter to Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). The letter denounces Insulza’s inaction with regard to flagrant violations of freedom of the press in the Americas, including the shutdown of television and radio stations and government-encourag ed attacks on journalists. “The constant assaults against the press and the media are a clear indicator of the deteriorating human rights situation in these countries,” said Howard J. Bender, senior researcher of HRF. “While various leaders promote aggression against the press and openly violate the essential elements of democracy in the Americas, Mr. Insulza is unwilling to fulfill his mandate to protect democracy by activating the Charter’s Democratic Clause. It’s outrageous,” continued Bender. In Bolivia, members of groups supportive of President Morales have physically attacked reporters, journalists and other members of the media each time the president labels them “enemies” or “friends of the empire.” On October 8, 2008, Jorge Melgar Quette, host of a Bolivian television program, was arbitrarily detained by masked men following his release of a video showing a cabinet minister inciting criminal violence. Melgar is in prison on charges of terrorism and sedition. In Ecuador, President Correa referred to the press in his country as “the lowest of the low,” labeled them as “slanderers,” and accused them of being his main opposition. On July 8, 2008, the Ecuadorean government seized three private television channels and appointed government officials as their directors (TC Television, Cable Vision and Gamavision). In Nicaragua, President Ortega is the principal instigator of harassment aimed at journalists and other members of the media by the “blue shirts,” a group that forms part of the president’s security forces. The blue shirts continue to employ intimidation tactics aimed at members of the media, including the assault of at least two journalists in the last year. In Venezuela, President Chavez’s constant threats against the press resulted in the 2007 closing of television channel RCTV. Journalists and stations critical of the government have also fallen victim of harassment by government supporters. In the last five years the remaining independent station, Globovision, has seen its reporters physically attacked at least 25 times, and independent journalists face repeated attempts on their lives for their work. In the letter, HRF requests, once again, that Insulza activate the Democratic Clause for the countries committing these violations, citing the crucial role an independent press plays in the maintenance of democracy and respect for human rights. “HRF calls on Mr. Insulza to take action, reminding him that his political reputation is not the only thing at stake: the freedom and livelihood of millions of Americans are also on the line,” said HRF’s Howard Bender. This is the third letter in “The Inter-American Democratic Charter and Mr. Insulza” project, which consists of monthly digests to Insulza detailing violations of human rights and democracy in the continent with the hope that he will fulfill his obligations and activate the mechanisms needed to implement the Democratic Clause for the defense of democracy and human rights in the Americas. HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the Americas. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Armando Valladares, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.