R36/11
Washington DC, April 28, 2011 - The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter- Human Rights (IACHR) has condemned the violent death of journalist David Niño de Guzman and considers it of utmost importance to the order issued by the government of President Evo Morales to immediately investigate the circumstances of death. The Special Rapporteur is essential that the authorities conduct thorough and diligent in order to prevent impunity for this death, to clarify his motives, compensation to the families of the community and prevent the repetition of such acts of extreme violence.
According to information received, David Niño de Guzman had been missing since the evening of Tuesday 19 April, when he left his apartment after receiving a phone call and was found dead on Thursday April 21 in the bed of a river in La Paz, destroyed by an explosive charge. The authorities still do not know the reason for the death and are investigating several theories. The Special Rapporteur requests that the researchers did not rule out the possibility that the causes of death arising in the professional practice of journalism.
David Child, 42, was the Chief Press news agency Fides, a means of communication of the Catholic Church in Bolivia. For over 15 years had worked with several Bolivian media, such as Presence, Ultima Hora, La Razón and El Diario.
Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression states that "murder, kidnapping, intimidation, threats to social communicators, as well as the destruction of the media violate the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict freedom of expression. It is the duty of States to prevent and investigate such occurrences, to punish their perpetrators and to ensure that victims receive compensation. " Indeed, such acts not only violate the human rights of the victims but generate a very serious chilling effect that severely affects the right to freedom of expression.
More information about the Special Rapporteur visit
http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/ 
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