R38/11
Washington DC May 2, 2011 - The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns killing the Salvadoran photographer, Alfredo Hurtado, and requests the authorities of that State to conduct a thorough investigation to take into account the possibility that the crime was motivated by the victim's journalistic work.
According to information received, Alfredo Hurtado walked to work Monday night April 25 when two armed men boarded the bus in which they traveled and shot him several times. The murderers did not steal any possessions and would have escaped into a nearby town where criminal groups are active.
According to available information, Hurtado worked as a cameraman Teleprensa night newscast on Channel 33, and had over 20 years experience. On a daily basis covering criminal acts and information about gang violence. Salvadoran police officials have suggested several hypotheses as a reason for murder. However, spokesmen for the company where he worked and organizations Salvadoran newspaper does not rule out that the crime may be related to the professional activities of the cameraman.
The Special Rapporteur calls on the Salvadoran authorities to prevent impunity for this crime through the promotion of research decided to clarify the motive for the crime and prosecute and properly punish those responsible. The fight against impunity is an essential step to discourage violence and its impact on the lives and rights as freedom of expression.
The Special Rapporteur recalls that, according to the ninth principle of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR: "The murder, kidnapping, intimidation, threat 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. "
For more information about the Special Rapporteur visit http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria /
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