Crimes against journalists not being punished in Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

Crimes against journalists not being punished in Honduras
Date published: August 5, 2010

In Honduras, the political condition is so bad that criminals are able to kill journalists freely with no worries. In a matter of weeks, seven journalists have been murdered and the Honduran authorities have been tardy in their attempts in pursuing the killers.

Spanning from the beginning of March till mid June, seven murders is a disconcerting count during such a short time in a country with a population of just 7.5 million. With most of the murders being clear assassinations carried out by hit men, journalists are running scared wondering who is going to be their next target.

A government official though, has responded to the killings.” I guarantee that in all of them there is nothing to indicate that it is because of their journalistic work,” Minister of Security Óscar Álvarez was quoted saying, asserting that the crimes were of regular street crime levels.

However, many journalists fear for the worst claiming that the murders have been conducted with the approval of police, armed forces, or even other authorities. This concern is fuelled by the breakdown in society that followed the June 2009 coup. Since then, journalists and other critics have reported repression that has included violent attacks.

More:
http://www.newswatch.in/features/7857