"Cuba is the sea of happiness. Towards there goes Venezuela. " - Hugo Chavez, March 8, 2000
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Venezuela / Crisis: UN and Inter-American experts raise alarm at deterioration of media freedom
August 4, 2016
WASHINGTON
/ GENEVA– The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom
of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and the Inter- American Special
Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Edison Lanza, today raised the
alarm about the continuing erosion of media freedom in Venezuela.
"We
are deeply disturbed by the recent reports of attacks against
journalists and independent media groups, escalating the pressure over
the Venezuelan media. This is especially alarming given the country’s
food and medicines shortages, economic crisis and heightened social and
political tensions," they stressed.
The
experts drew attention to recent reports of arrests for inquiry of at
least seven journalists, media workers and the retention of their work
equipment. "We are alarmed by the reports of journalists who were
arrested while covering lootings or when informing the public on
protests," Mr. Lanza said.
"Law
enforcement agents must protect and not harass reporters and
journalists who are carrying out their legitimate work informing the
public," said Mr. Kaye. "Threats or attacks against journalists and the
media not only violate the rights of these persons but undermine the
ability of Venezuelans and others elsewhere to be informed on events of
critical importance."
"Reports
of recent attacks against journalists covering the impact of the recent
economic crisis on the ground also deserve urgent attention," continued
Mr. Lanza while commenting on the reported attacks against journalists
covering food shortage protests in Caracas last 2 June, and the attacks
against the newspapers El Aragüeño, El Caroní, and El Nacional at the end of the same month.
The
Inter American Rapporteur underlined that the State has the duty to
ensure the safety of journalists and must respond without delay to
violence and intimidation reports: "It is essential for the Venezuelan
authorities to act with due diligence and swiftness to establish the
facts and punish those responsible. Allegations that attackers are loyal
to groups supportive to the Government are also particularly worrying
and require specific attention."
"The
harassment of the media by law enforcement agents obviously hampers
journalists’ ability to carry their vital work and propagate a powerful
chilling effect affecting the entire society," Mr. Kaye added.
A worrying trend
The
experts also noted their concerns over recent judicial decisions and
other measures which greatly increase the pressure over media further
limiting their capacity to carry their work with independence.
The Supreme Court of Venezuela ordered on 8 June the website news La Patilla and Caraota Digital to refrain from disseminating videos of lynching through its webpage and social media. This decision can be extended to other media in the country.
"This
recent Supreme Court’s decision establishes a disproportional and
unreasonable restriction confronting Inter American and global standards
for the right to freedom of expression. The exercise of the right to
freedom of expression cannot be subject to prior censorship," Mr. Lanza
stated.
"We
are also disturbed by the reportedly high number of radio stations
operating under expired concessions because their requests for
concession renewal remain ignored for unreasonable periods," noted Mr.
Kaye. "International standards are also clear on this matter: precisely
to prevent abuses, procedures for licensing broadcasters must be
reasonable, objective, clear, transparent and non-discriminatory."
The experts noted with great concern the closure of the radio station La Barinesa
on 10 June, reportedly because of its expired licence. "The adoption of
extreme measures such as the closure of a radio station must be
grounded on very firm grounds and only used as a last resort," Mr. Lanza
pointed out.
Finally,
they expressed concern about the cessation of activities of newspapers
affected by the shortage of paper to print their editions. This year,
the shortage has reportedly affected the circulation of paper such as El Siglo de Aragua, La Mañana, Nueva Prensa, El Carabobeño and El Mío.
"The recurrent lack of newsprint is just another obstacle faced by
Venezuelan media requiring a quick explanation and solution from the
side of the country authorities," concluded Mr. Kaye.
The
two human rights experts sent a joint letter to the Venezuelan
Government expressing these concerns and requesting their clarification
on the reported events. The
State confirmed reception of the letter, and the experts now hope that
the response to their communication will enable a dialogue on these and
other topics related to the exercise of the right to freedom of
expression.
ENDS
Mr. David Kaye (USA) was
appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the
right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2014 by the United
Nations Human Rights Council.
The
Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures
of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of
independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name
of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms.
Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts
appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country
situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not
UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They
serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their
work. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx
Mr. Edison Lanza
(Uruguay) was appointed as Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
in July 2014 by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created
by the IACHR to encourage the defence of the right to freedom of thought
and expression in the hemisphere, given the fundamental role this right
plays in consolidating and developing the democratic system. For more
information, log on to:
http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/expression/mandate/Rapporteur.asphttp://www.oas.org/en/iachr/expression/showarticle.asp?artID=1036&lID=1
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