UNESCO Condemns Murder of Colombian Journalist Oscar Alberto Polanco Herrera
10-02-2004 (Paris)
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the assassination of the journalist Oscar Alberto Polanco Herrera in the city of Cartago, in Valle del Cauca, in Colombia.“I condemn the murder of Mr Polanco. It is unacceptable and must be punished,” the Director-General said.
“In keeping with the resolution adopted by UNESCO’s Member States in 1997 calling for action to prosecute and punish crimes against journalists, it is essential that the authorities investigate this heinous crime,” Mr Matsuura added.
“Mr Polanco”, the Director-General said, “broadcast a daily news programme that was critical of authority on the local Canal Noticias Cartago television channel. The freedom to be critical is a fundamental human right recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
“Democracy cannot be considered to be securely established while those who use the gun to curtail freedom of expression enjoy impunity for their crimes and I welcome moves by the authorities to collect information on this case”, the Director-General said.
“The authorities efforts are appreciated as Colombia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists,” Mr Matsuura concluded. According professional organizations five journalists were killed in the country in 2003, nearly 60 were kidnapped, threatened or assaulted, and more than 20 were forced to leave their region, in some cases the country.
(Source: Press Release No.2004-10)
“Mr Polanco”, the Director-General said, “broadcast a daily news programme that was critical of authority on the local Canal Noticias Cartago television channel. The freedom to be critical is a fundamental human right recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
“Democracy cannot be considered to be securely established while those who use the gun to curtail freedom of expression enjoy impunity for their crimes and I welcome moves by the authorities to collect information on this case”, the Director-General said.
“The authorities efforts are appreciated as Colombia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists,” Mr Matsuura concluded. According professional organizations five journalists were killed in the country in 2003, nearly 60 were kidnapped, threatened or assaulted, and more than 20 were forced to leave their region, in some cases the country.
(Source: Press Release No.2004-10)
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2004
· Colombia: News Archive 2004
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