The International Federation of Jouralists today condemned the "brutal murder" of photographer Gregorio Rodríguez Hernández (33), reporter for the daily El Debate, in Escuinapa, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and joined the demands of the Mexican journalistic community in calling for an through investigation by the local authorities.
“It is very painful observing how month after month young press professionals such as Gregorio Rodriguez in Mexico and María Jose Bravo in Nicaragua, are tragically killed across the region," said Gregorio Salazar, IFJ Regional Coordinator. "The journalist community must stand united in the fight for the defense of fundamental human rights and the erradication of a culture of impunity," said Salazar.
According to reports, Rodriguez, a photographer with "El Debate" newspaper, was murdered on 27 November in Escuinapa, in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, an area well known for drug-trafficking. Rodriguez died instantly when he was shot at least five times as he ate at a restaurant with his wife and sons. The motive for the murder is not yet known and no arrests have been made.
The IFJ demands a thorough investigation into this attack and recalls that Rodriguez’ death brings to at least 24 the number of journalists killed in Latin America this year, one of the highest numbers for any region of the world during this period.
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The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
