President Andrés Pastrana
President of Colombia
Santafé de Bogotá
Colombia

Vienna, 29 October 1999

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute is deeply concerned for the safety of Henry Romero, a freelance photographer who works regularly for Reuters, who has been kidnapped by a rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN). The ELN have announced that they intend to put him on “trial” for revealing the identity of one of its regional commanders in a photograph.

Romero was escorted away by a gang of masked people apparently because he had taken a photograph of a rebel leader without his trademark red-and-black facemask. Romero took the photo, and other exclusive shots, when he was given access in June 1999 to a camp were hostages were being held. The photographs were widely distributed and helped assure friends and relatives that the hostages were still alive.

We strongly condemn Romero’s kidnapping, which is a flagrant violation of press freedom and can only serve to further restrict free and impartial reporting in this bloody civil war. IPI, the global network of editors and media executives, urges you to do everything in your power to convince the leadership of the ELN to release him immediately and unconditionally. I thank you for your kind attention and eagerly await your prompt response.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director

UPDATE:

Henry Romero was freed on 3 November 1999 near the town of Suárez, after spending eight days in captivity. Romero’s release, follows the 2 November release of seven journalists kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).