AZMEX SPECIAL 17 SEP 2013
Note: Between corrupt governments; justifiably frightened or sometimes equally corrupt media, and the narcos, more difficult every day to get good information. Situation aggravated by lack of secure communications.
September 17, 2013
Narco trafficking raises " dramatically " murders of journalists in AL: OAS
Organización Editorial Mexicana
September 17, 2013
AFP
Panama City . - The number of journalists killed in some countries in Latin America has grown " dramatically " in the last decade due to the actions of organized crime, said Tuesday in Panama the Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the OAS , Catalina Botero .
"In the last 10 years the number of murders , assaults and disappearances of journalists have increased substantially ," said the Special Rapporteur of the Organization of American States ( OAS ) .
Although no specific figures, Botero said the number of attacks on journalists " has increased dramatically " as a result of the " growth of organized crime " , which claimed " a high percentage " of those murders .
The OAS expert made the remarks during an interview with Panamanian prosecutors .
According to Botero , the most dramatic situation exists in Mexico , the North -Central Triangle ( Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador ) , Colombia and the border between Paraguay and Brazil .
"Maps of organized crime , drug trafficking routes where major cartels operate and where disputes over routes ( to transport drugs ) these maps match the greatest threat to life and integrity of journalists ," said Botero.
South America is the world's largest producer of cocaine , a drug that , to reach the United States, its largest consumer - must pass through Mexico and Central America.
It is estimated that Central America passes 80 % of the cocaine consumed in the United States, which has made the region the scene of bloody drug trafficking operations of Mexican and Colombian cartels .
This region , where it is estimated that half of its population lives in poverty , is one of the world's most violent areas . With the organized crime there is nearly 40 homicides per 100 thousand inhabitants , five times more than the world average, with peaks in Honduras , even more than that terrifying rate .
"The United States can not simply turn and look the other way ," said Botero , after calling for a greater commitment from governments in the prevention of violence , protection of journalists and to combat impunity because " the numbers are too serious " .
For organized crime, " the main threat is the free press ," he said Botero.
No comments:
Post a Comment