CEJIL Condemns Crimes Against Journalists in Honduras

Washington D.C., April 26, 2010

The Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) condemns the April 20^th murder of Honduran journalist Jorge Alberto “Giorgino” Orellana and expresses profound concern over the series of crimes recently committed against members of the press in that nation.  Seven journalists have been murdered since March.

CEJIL insists that Honduran authorities diligently investigate these crimes so as to identify, prosecute, and punish those who carried out and ordered them.  In addition, the Honduran government should publicly condemn these crimes and reaffirm its commitment to freedom of the press and public debate.

The assassination of journalists affects all of Honduran society by intimidating the news media and limiting the free expression of ideas.  It is urgent that the government clearly and forcefully demonstrates its determination to prevent impunity for these crimes and avoid further violence against the media and the even greater damage it would bring to fundamental rights in Honduras.

Orellana, a 48-year-old TV reporter in San Pedro Sula, was shot dead upon leaving the studio the evening of April 20, after finishing his news and debate program.

Since March, journalists José Bayardo Mairena, Manuel Juárez, Nahúm Palacios Arteaga, David Meza, Joseph Hernández Ochoa, and Luis Antonio Chévez have been shot dead.  In 2009, three other reporters – Bernardo Rivera, Santiago Murguía and Gabriel Fino Noriega– were also slain.  None of the crimes have been solved.

Press Contact in Washington D.C.

Mauricio Herrera Ulloa
mherrera@cejil.org
Tel: (202) 319-3000

www.cejil.org

The Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) is an advocacy of human rights in the Americas. CEJIL’s main objective is to ensure full implementation of international human rights standards in the Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS), through the effective use of the Inter-american human rights system and other international protection mechanisms. CEJIL is a nongovernmental nonprofit with consultative status at the OAS, the Organization of the United Nations (UN) and observer status with the African Commission on Human Rights.