H.E. Enrique Peña Nieto
President of Mexico
Residencia Oficial de Los Pinos,
11850, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
RE: Alleged threats against Veracruz journalists
Vienna and Paris, April 18, 2013
Your Excellency,
We are writing you on behalf of the International Press Institute (IPI) and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) to express our concern over allegations that former and current state officials in Veracruz may be planning to abduct or harm journalist Jorge Carrasco Araizaga.
Weekly newspaper Proceso, for which Carrasco reports, has alleged that security officials in Veracruz have been engaged in surveillance efforts and the collection of background data on Carrasco’s identity, with the intention of kidnapping or attacking the journalist. The weekly publication indicated that Carrasco may face repercussions for his investigations into the death of another of Proceso’s correspondents, Regina Martínez.
We are deeply concerned by these allegations, and urge the Mexican authorities to immediately investigate the case and take all necessary steps to safeguard Carrasco’s security.
In February of this year, a joint IPI and WAN-IFRA delegation visited Mexico in order to meet with public officials and discuss journalist security.
The visit included a meeting with representatives of the state of Veracruz, which did not inspire any confidence in the authorities’ commitment to protect media professionals.
We respectfully remind you that Mexico has a responsibility under international law to protect journalists as they carry out their role of informing the public. The allegations made against Veracruz authorities should therefore be investigated swiftly and seriously.
The delegation also met with Eduardo Sánchez Hernández, Deputy Secretary for Media Regulation of the Interior Ministry, the delegation expressed its concern over situations such as that in Veracruz, where state officials have adopted a particularly hostile attitude towards critical journalists.
Sánchez guaranteed “the Federal government will use all available legal instruments to make sure the States do not commit abuses, regardless of their political party”.
WAN-IFRA and IPI call on the Mexican government to honour this pledge.
On April 15, our organisations published a report that revealed that certain state authorities had become a serious obstacle to freedom of expression in the country. For the past six years, Mexico has been among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. It will require a concerted effort by individual states and the federal government in order to improve the security situation for media – and surely allegations that officials themselves may be involved in threatening journalists’ lives should be considered by your office as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. We look forward to your response. Should you have any questions about this matter please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Galina Sidorova
Chairperson, Executive Board
International Press Institute (IPI)
Jacob Mathew
President
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of the practices of journalism.
WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, is the global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.
