Mexican journalists at work in the state of Oaxaca. Photo: Jesper Højberg/IMS

International group of press freedom and freedom of expression organizations calls for immediate action to put a stop to escalating violations against media workers in Mexico

A group of 11 international press freedom and freedom of expression groups expresses alarm over the growing violence committed against media workers in Mexico. Following a visit to Mexico in April 2008, the group named "The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Investigative Mission into Attacks and Killings of Journalists and Media in Mexico, called upon all authorities in Mexico to take immediate action.

The situation is critical. Impunity, lack of protection and self-censorship still prevails throughout the country. However, we did meet some officials at certain levels who showed openness and expressed political will to ensure the necessary changes, for instance by federalizing The Special Prosecutor's office for Crimes against Journalists, says the executive director of International Media Support, Jesper Højberg who participated in the mission.

Violations on the rise

Since 2000, at least 24 journalists and media workers in Mexico have been killed, eight have disappeared and dozens have been threatened or attacked as a direct result of their professional activities. According to the international group, the majority of these cases remain in impunity, which has created a stifling environment of self-censorship and widespread silence among Mexican media workers, the group says in a statement.

In order to assess the situation and to express its support to the media sector in Mexico, the international group including IMS visited Mexico and met with federal and local authorities, local media owners and journalists in Mexico City and the states of Oaxaca, Michoacán, Sonora and Guerrero. the group also held meetings with international organisations such as the UN and the EU Commission.

Impunity is alarming

At the end of the visit, the international group issued a public statement in which it expressed alarm over "the contradiction between the official show of political will alongside the actual lack of concrete actions and results". The group stressed, among others, the need for granting independence to The Special Prosecutor's office for Crimes against Journalists (FEADP), established in 2006 to record the violations.

The delegation also noted with great concern how victims and their families experience growing isolation from the local communities as a result of lacking legal recognition of the wrongdoings committed against them. According to the findings of the group, this has lead to several cases of officials obstructing their work or refusal to recognize them as journalists.

The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Investigative Mission into Attacks and Killings of Journalists and Media in Mexico is going to issue a report on the findings of the mission. It will include recommendations and an action plan for all stakeholders that expressed willingness to engage in addressing the key challenges.

The time has come to act, and I hope that committed actors will be able to deliver, says Jesper Højberg.