"There is a systematic blockade of information," Article 19

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 16:19

By MARVIN PALACIOS | Defensoresenlinea.com

"International public opinion should know the state of uncertainty that is developing everyday life and the exercise of freedom of speech in this country.There is a systematic blockade of the information is coming out, it is important to know how vulnerable they are in many people. "

Impressions were poured into the digital newspaper defensoresenlinea.com, by Ricardo Gonzalez Bernal, Program Officer for Protection of Freedom of Expression of the organization Article 19, after entrvistarse with the General Coordinator of the Committee of Relatives of Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (Cofadeh) at the headquarters of the human rights organization.

From the standpoint of freedom of expression said "yes journalism and free speech is being violated by a number of fronts, primarily by de facto government enacted decrees that are completely illegitimate and unnecessary to restrict this human right there are also risks of physical integrity, personal and legal persons exercising this right, mainly those that are opposed to the regime. "

On the role of media in the context of the political crisis generated by the coup, Gonzales said that if there is something you have to suffer all the commercial media is precisely the lack of objective and reliable.

"It has definitely been a report that has been being mixed with editorial opinions, including personal opinions and that is abusing the right of society to be informed, which is basic if it is intended to develop an election process," he said.

There are no conditions for free and fair elections

Facing the electoral process widely promulgated by the de facto government to whiten the coup, "Gonzales said from our point of view there are no conditions for free elections take place and equitable.

The press has failed and not been allowed to report the information independently, there is no precise information on all these issues are issues decree restrictions on this right and can not be a multilateral discussion, debate, free if you do not have the freedom to express opinions, as guaranteed by international law of human rights, ruled the expert.

In relation to allegations exercised to block satellite channel signal 36 (Cholusat South) says he learned of the events since last Friday when it was reported to the channel interference.

"There are rumors that it was detected the origin of this signal and alleged the prosecution had every intention of correcting it, however this is further evidence of the intentions of maintaining a permanent harassment against media that are critical or who are opposed to the coup, "he said Gonzales.

Concerned about human rights violations

The defender of freedom of expression said that her visit was aimed Cofadeh express his solidarity with the team of the Committee of Relatives of Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (Cofadeh).

Because "it is very important for the work they have been developing as a center for human rights and we consider it of utmost importance not only for the information you are offering but by the work of defending victims of human rights violations."

Defensoresenlinea.com Gonzales told that according to information provided has been corroborated that the policy of de facto government repression has been increasing and the situation faced by defenders of human rights is extremely difficult.

"For us it is very important that you are carrying out their work safely and with all the facilities granted to them by international law of human rights," he said.

Gonzales added that according to the statement made by Bertha Oliva, General Coordinator of Cofadeh "corroborate the situation, our deep concern over the human rights situation in general, particularly for certain groups such as teachers, advocates and defenders of human rights and within itself all dissenting voices, the voices critical of the government de facto. "

On the role of media in the context of the political crisis generated by the coup, Gonzales said that if there is something you have to suffer all the commercial media is precisely the lack of objective and reliable.

"It has definitely been a report that has been being mixed with editorial opinions, including personal opinions and that is abusing the right of society to be informed, which is basic if it is intended to develop an election process," he said.

Facing the electoral process widely promulgated by the de facto government to whiten the coup, "Gonzales said from our point of view there are no conditions for free elections take place and equitable.

The press has failed and not been allowed to report the information independently, there is no precise information on all these issues are issues decree restrictions on this right and can not be a multilateral discussion, debate, free if you do not have the freedom to express opinions, as guaranteed by international law of human rights.

In relation to allegations of embargo imposed to the signal channel 36 (Cholusat South) says he learned of the events since last Friday when it was reported to the channel interference.

"There are rumors that it was detected the origin of this signal and alleged the prosecution had every intention of correcting it, however this is further evidence of the intentions of maintaining a permanent harassment against media that are critical or who are opposed to the coup.

Ricardo Gonzales finally announced that Article 19 has been kept informed of the situation prevailing in Honduras both the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, United Nations ( A) and all the members of the IACHR.

"International public opinion should know the state of uncertainty that is developing everyday life and the exercise of freedom of speech in this country. There is a systematic blockade of the information is coming out, it is important to know the degree of vulnerability in which there are many people, "said Gonzales.

Article 19 is an international human rights organization that for 20 years has been focused in defending and promoting the right to freedom of expression around the world.

The name derives from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right not only to express but also to receive information, opinions and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.

To inquire about the status of freedom of expression and press freedom have been for some weeks in Honduras, apart from Article 19, representatives of Reporters Without Borders, Argentine Association of Journalistic Entities, International Media Support in Denmark, the World Institute Newspapers based in Paris, France, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) based in Canada and Free Boys of Holland, among others.