At least 157 violations have been recorded from January to October 2023, including physical or verbal attacks (81), stigmatizing speech (66), and judicial harassment (10) against members of the press
Ten years ago, the United Nations Organization established the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists with the objective of raising awareness about the importance of seeking justice in cases affecting the members of the media around the world after the brutal assassination of two journalists of Radio France International in Mali in 2013. This incident brought attention to the importance of guaranteeing the safety and integrity of reporters and punishing those who commit crimes against them.
Impunity prevails in Venezuela for crimes against journalists. The recent case of journalist Roland Carreño, who was imprisoned for almost three years, shows how the Venezuelan State evades its responsibility in the administration of justice. Mr. Carreño was released on October 18, after having been detained on October 26, 2020, under unfair accusations of the crimes of conspiracy, illicit trafficking in war weapons of war, and money laundering. The Venezuelan journalist faced a judicial process plagued with irregularities, including evidence tampering and procedural delay. He was released after two years, 11 months and 22 days of being held in three different facilities in the city of Caracas. However, his trial is still going on.
Crimes against reporters are common in Venezuela but they often go unpunished. The perpetrators are not held accountable and their crimes see no sanction. According to records by the journalistic NGO IPYS Venezuela, at least 157 violations against the press took place in Venezuela between January and October 2023 in the following categories: physical or verbal attacks (81), stigmatizing speech (66), and judicial harassment (10). Even more worrying, three workers of the press have been murdered in Venezuela in recent years. The murders of José Gregorio Urbina (January 10, 2022), Andrés Eloy Nieves Zacarías (August 21, 2020) and José Carmelo Bislick (August 18, 2020) remain unsolved and most of the perpetrators of the crimes have not been held accountable.
IPYS Venezuela urges the Venezuelan State to initiate and conclude the corresponding investigations in cases involving the violation of the rights of the workers of the press. Being a journalist should not entail any risk or danger in a democratic country; on the contrary, protection and safety must be guaranteed to those who strive to provide information and defend the value of freedom. This year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists will focus on topics such as violence against journalists, the integrity of elections and the role of public leaders.
Translated by Jose Rafael Medina
