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The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (RELE) have raised concerns about the sentencing to 6 years
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (RELE) have raised concerns about the sentencing to 6 years in prison of journalist José Rubén Zamora in Guatemala, founder of elPeriódico.
“IACHR and its RELE call on the state to respect the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press and to refrain from using punitive measures to intimidate people who demonstrate criticism of the government,” the statement said.
According to public information, on June 14, the Eighth Criminal Court sentenced El Periódico president and founder José Rubén Zamora to 6 years in prison for money laundering. El Periódico has been one of the most famous media outlets in the country for exposing cases of corruption and abuse of power in recent years.
“Following his arrest on 29 July 2022, the IACHR and RELE received information about the impact on due process guarantees, the lengthy application of preventive detention, and serious restrictions on the right to a defence,” it says.
The criminalization of José Rubén Zamora was noted by the IACHR in a 2022 report on Guatemala, in which it “noted with concern that the context of the impact on the independence of the judiciary in the country has contributed to an exacerbated climate of censorship and intense harassment of others.” who play an important role in public life and contribute to the democratic debate in Guatemala.”
In particular, human rights activists and media workers have suffered the most.
In addition, the Office of the Special Rapporteur reported that in recent months it became known that a criminal case had been opened against journalists and columnists of El Periodico accused of the alleged crime of obstruction of justice due to a series of newspaper articles that covered the Zamora case.
“He also warns that, in addition to this case, José Rubén Zamora will face two other criminal cases, one involving the alleged offense of conspiracy to obstruct justice, and the other with the alleged use of false documents on an ongoing basis. Journalist Zamora has been a beneficiary of IACHR’s precautionary measures since 2003 for reasons related to his journalistic work and the exercise of freedom of speech in Guatemala.
On May 12, El Periódico was finally closed “due to reports of impediments to being able to continue normal operations following Zamora’s arrest, increased prosecution of its members, and political and economic pressure. “.
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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