Mexico City, August 27, 2009 (Miguel Carbonell / El Universal) .- practice journalism in Mexico is dangerous. Very dangerous. The NHRC has just issued a general recommendation which are documented in great detail and diligence violations of physical integrity and life of Mexican journalists in recent years. The problem is so serious that the commission itself there is an area specifically devoted to the subject of grievances to journalists. These areas have opened 487 cases in the past nine years, ie 54 per year.
In that same period has documented the deaths of 50 journalists and media workers, who were murdered-allegedly- because of their work. Between 2000 and 2009 saw the disappearance of seven journalists, as well as six bombings facilities newspapers. The institutions most dangerous for journalists are Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Veracruz, Guerrero, Michoacan and Oaxaca.
As if that were not enough, consider the high rate of impunity that prevails in these cases, mainly due to lack of expertise of the agencies responsible for conducting the investigation. Only 27% of cases the relevant prosecutors were able to enter the preliminary investigations before a judge, but only 12% were obtained convictions. In fact, even these figures are so poor must be taken with some caution, as surely many crimes committed against journalists never become reported.
The NHRC has found that integrating the preliminary investigations the prosecutors leave to spend long periods without any action. There are records that are inactive for more than a year.
The prosecutors are unable to collect evidence, and hear expert, exhaust lines of research and so forth. The PGR has not offered much better results than those seen at the State, although it was created a special prosecutor in the subject, the results have been deplorable: from February 2006 (when creating the prosecution) and November 2008 was only able to record before a judge three cases, ie an average of an appropriation each year.
is not something that is exceptional in the field of law enforcement. In fact, the general rule is that you never can find those guilty of crimes because there is no serious scientific investigation by the authorities. Just look at the glaring example of the more than 6 000 executions took place during 2008: how many cases were able to locate the offender, arrest and sentencing? Although this is the most serious crime of murder impunity appears to be the general rule.
However, the case of grievances against journalists is somewhat different from the rest, because what is attempted in such cases is to silence his voice, either by individuals working in government agencies or by organized crime. And that is very serious not only for journalists but for society as a whole. It is a way of reducing our right to be informed and take away the freedom of expression.
journalists or threats to their physical elimination puts us all in danger, it is thus likely that many other crimes are hidden or simply exclude important issues of national discussion. Maybe in a short time and not may report on activities related to organized crime or crimes committed by powerful officials.
That is why we must demand that the authorities meet the general recommendation of the NHRC, because if we shut up our journalists will silence them all. And that, in a democracy, not fair.
IIJ-UNAM Researcher
