PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 53/008/2002
13 December 2002

UA 362/02 Fear for Safety

VENEZUELA Jose Antonio Dávila
(m) ] Rafael Fuenmayor (m) ] journalists
Luis Alfonso Fernández (m) ]
Fernando Malavé (m) ]
and other journalists and photographers

The four men named above were among a group of journalists reportedly attacked and injured by the National Guard on 3 December. Amnesty International is concerned for their safety, and that of all journalists and photographers in Venezuela.

Since the beginning of a national strike on 2 December by the opposition movement to President Hugo Chávez, both pro and anti-government journalists and media outlets have been the target of threats, intimidation and attack, particularly when covering street demonstrations. According to reports, Jose Antonio Dávila, Rafael Fuenmayor, Luis Alfonso Fernández and Fernando Malavé, along with several other journalists were attacked when reporting on the violent break up of an opposition demonstration in the Chauo district of the capital Caracas. Fernando Malavé received a serious gunshot wound, others were injured by rubber bullets and battons. In the deepening crisis of the onging strike, journalists risk further threats and attacks.

On the nights of 8 and 9 December, there were large scale protests by pro-government supporters outside opposition supporting newspapers, TV and radio stations. In a number of incidents around the country on those nights, protesters threatened journalists and attacked the offices of the media. On the night of 8 December, there was also a protest by opposition supporters outside the headquarters of Channel 8, the state TV channel. Shots were reportedly fired, however there were allegedly no injuries.

The news media are both contributors to and have suffered from the political polarization which is undermining the rule of law in Venezuela. Priviate media outlets are accused of directly encouraging opposition to the adminstration of President Chavez and of failing to cover events impartially. The coverage of the state run televison channel is similiarly accused of uncritical support for President Chavez.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Political polarization in Venezuela has threatened to lead to wide scale violence throughout the year. Tension is particularly high at present with the continuing indefinite national strike, now in its 12th day, called by the opposition in order to remove President Chavez. The strike has paralysed many sectors of the economy.

On April 11 a similar national strike ended in violence and the death of 20 people, which in turn led to a coup d'etat and the temporary removal and imprisonment of President Chavez. On 13 April he was returned to power after wide-scale national and international protests at his unconstitutional removal from power. Attempts to negotiate a solution have continued since then. At present, Cesar Gaviria, the president of Organization of American States is mediating talks between the government and the opposition.

Attacks and threats on journalists have escalated over the last two years with the increasing polarization. President Chavez has repeatedly accused the media of sponsoring efforts to remove him, while the media have accused the president of encouraging attacks by his supporters on the media.The Inter American Commission on Human Rights has repeatedly issued protection orders (medidas cautelares) on behalf of journalists who have been threatened or attacked.

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