Lobo attacked over Honduran journalist deaths

[Judi Lynn]

Lobo attacked over Honduran journalist deaths

Thursday 17 June 2010

International journalist unions have denounced Honduran President Porfirio Lobo to the International Criminal Court after yet more journalists and opposition supporters were reported assassinated.

The journalists were joined by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in declaring that the government had "shown a total disregard for human rights and freedom of citizens" since Mr Lobo (pictured) came to power through elections held under the gun following last year's coup.

At least nine radio and newspaper reporters have been assassinated since the coup which ousted former President Manual Zelaya in June 2009, while union and peasant worker activists have reported at least 50 killings by police and landowners allied to Mr Lobo's government so far this year.

Ibero-American Journalists Organisation organiser Julio Martinez urged "heads of state to intervene and stop these killings and respect the rights of workers."

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/91671

[rabs]

1. The latest murder of journalist

Luis Arturo Mondragon in Danli is a murky affair.

Checked out the golpista El Heraldo of Teguz last night and its story said that according to police officials in Danli, Mondragon had charges of cattle rustling (?) against him, and another charge of rape.

But Mondragon's son, who was with his father when he got shot, said Mondragon had denounced corruption in the local government and he identified a local, prominent "cafelero" (coffee grower) as the killer.

So there it is, two versions, and the killer will probably go free under the loboletti justice system.

[Bacchus39]

2. so perhaps he had more than one enemy??

seems what you provided is a few details or allegations rather than versions.

[Judi Lynn]

3. U.S. House panel urges Latin America to protect journalists

U.S. House panel urges Latin America to protect journalists

09:51 AM CDT on Thursday, June 17, 2010
By ALFREDO CORCHADO / The Dallas Morning News
[e-mail]

WASHINGTON – Violence against journalists in Latin America is reaching dangerous new dimensions, experts told a House subcommittee Wednesday, noting a surge of killings in Honduras as organized criminal groups expand their territory from Mexico.

Honduras, a nation of 8 million people, has recorded eight killings of journalists this year. Most of them were covering issues related to drug trafficking, U.S. law enforcement officials have said, and their deaths are a testament to the power of organized criminal groups and their efforts to control information about their activities.

"When freedom of expression is threatened, democracy is threatened," said Carolina Botero Marino, special rapporteur for freedom of expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Mexico, with a population of 110 million, remains the deadliest country for journalists in Latin America, with at least 30 journalists killed since President Felipe Calderón took office in December 2006 and declared war on drug cartels.

"Mexico is Iraq-like," said Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. "It's deadly. The numbers are simply astounding."

More:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-honduras_17int.ART.State.Edition1.4027aba.html