The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Wednesday joined its affiliate in Argentina,
the Argentinean Federation of Press Workers (FATPREN), its regional organisation, La
Federación de Periodistas de América Latina y el Caribe (FEPALC) and other
national organisations to mark the 14th anniversary of the murder of
Argentinean photographer José Luis Cabezas and to condemn the impunity for his
killers.
The activities,
held in the coastal city of Pinamar, included a march which took place on one
of the principal highways leading to a monument in Cabezas' honour.
"The
unresolved murder of José Cabezas demonstrates the continued scandal of
impunity and the failure of governments to bring the killers of journalists to
justice," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "In this case it is outrageous that
his killers have been released and are roaming freely."
Cabezas, a
photographer who worked for Noticias magazine, was kidnapped, tortured and shot dead on 25 January 1997 after he had
taken a photograph of a dead businessman, Alfredo Yabrá. Former police officers
and men of the group known as "Los Horneros" were convicted for the
crime. However, they were granted freedom on parole. One of the
criminals is said to work in a private security company.
The IFJ, which
launched a campaign against impunity in Latin America for journalists' killers in
2008, welcomed the pursuit of justice by its affiliates and Cabezas' family.
"The IFJ is
grateful to José's family and FATPREN for honouring our colleague's memory but
also for continuing to demand justice 14 years after his murder. Journalists
worldwide will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them until justice
is done," added Boumelha.
The leadership
of FATPREN and Cabezas' family pledged to continue their campaign until their
demands are met.
"We did not
accept that this crime be forgotten and we would not allow the country to put
it at the back of its mind," said Gustavo Granero, General Secretary of FATPREN
and IFJ Vice President. "For over a decade journalists and media workers
have been marching throughout Argentina to condemn this atrocious crime until
the killers were finally put behind bars and to this day we continue to demand action
against those who ordered the vicious killing. The jail sentences must be
carried out and the criminals must return to prison."
Gladys
Cabezas, sister of the killed photographer said "My father is no longer
with us after he endured the pain of impunity in his last days. However, the
support of the organisations and media helps us stand firm in our demands for true justice."
For more
information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents more than
600.000 members in 125 countries
