PEN International protests the murder of web site editor and reporter Jaime Guadalupe González Domínguez, who was shot dead in Ojinaga, Chihuahua state, on March 3, 2013. PEN calls for a thorough investigation into his murder and for those responsible to be brought to justice. It also calls on the Mexican government to take urgent measures to ensure that the federalization of crimes against journalists and freedom of expression becomes effective.

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Background Information

Editor and reporter for the news website Ojinaga Noticias, Jaime Guadalupe González Domínguez was shot dead by a group of armed men in the center of Ojinaga, Chihuahua state, on the evening of March 3, 2013. González (38) was reportedly shot 18 times at close range with large-caliber firearms. The woman he was with at the time of the shooting was physically unharmed.

 
Witnesses reported that the only thing taken during the attack was González’s camera, leading to speculation that he was targeted for photographs that he had taken. According to the newspaper La Jornada, the camera contained photos of a member of a criminal gang operating in the area. A spokesperson for the Chihuahua state Attorney General’s office has stated that the authorities do not consider theft to be the motive for the murder.
 
González’s colleagues at Ojinaga Noticias believe that González was targeted for his investigative journalism. They decided to suspend all activities the day after the murder for fear that they might also be targeted. The web site covered community events, local sports, crime, and politics.
 
González is the first journalist to be killed since President Enrique Peña Nieto came into office in December 2012. Ojinaga is reportedly disputed territory for organized crime groups vying to control drug trafficking routes to the United States.
 
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a journalist. González’s death brings the number of print and Internet journalists and writers murdered in Mexico since December 2006 to 47, when former President Felipe Calderón began his armed offensive against the drug cartels. At least eight other print journalists have disappeared in the same period. Few if any of these crimes have been solved.
 
PEN International has this week submitted a report on this violence and impunity in Mexico to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights as part of the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review. In its report, PEN calls for full and transparent federal-level investigations into the murder and disappearance of journalists and writers as well as investigations into all allegations of attacks carried out by government entities. PEN also calls for the strengthening of Mexico’s new protection mechanism for journalists and human rights defenders.
 
The report and full recommendations can be viewed here
 
In late 2012, PEN International published the anthology Write Against Impunity, a literary protest highlighting the escalating violence against journalists, writers and bloggers in Latin America—in particular Mexico, Honduras and Brazil—and the impunity enjoyed by those who commit these crimes.

Write A Letter

  • Calling for a full and impartial investigation into the murder of web site editor and reporter Jaime Guadalupe González Domínguez, and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice;
  • Urging the Special Prosecutor for Crimes against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE) to take up the case;
  • Asking that federal authorities including FEADLE are empowered to investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists and freedom of expression, by ensuring that all necessary secondary laws are passed in order to implement fully the amendment to Article 73, Clause 21 of the Mexican Constitution, including making the necessary changes to the Federal Penal Code, the Federal Code on Penal Procedures and the Organic Law of the Federation’s Judiciary;
  • Calling on the Mexican authorities to ensure as a matter of urgency that FEADLE is allocated sufficient financial, material and human resources in order to carry out its work;
  • Urging the authorities to do more to tackle the widespread corruption at local and state levels that slows and often prevents proper, objective investigations into the murders of journalists and writers, and perpetuates impunity.

Send Your Letter To

President
Lic. Enrique Peña Nieto
Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, Distrito Federal, México
Fax: (+ 52 55) 5093 4901/ 5277 2376
Messages can also be sent via the Presidency’s web site
Salutation: Señor Presidente/ Dear Mr President
 
Attorney General of the Republic
Lic. Jesús Murillo Karam
Procurador General de la República
Av. Paseo de Reforma No. 211-213, Piso 16
Col. Cuauhtémoc, Delegacion Cuauhtémoc
México D.F. C.P. 06500
Tel: + 52 55 5346 0108 
Fax: + 52 55 53 46 0908 (if a voice answers, ask "tono de fax, por favor")
Messages can also be sent via the Attorney General’s web site
Salutation: Señor Procurador General/Dear Attorney General
 
State Attorney General
Lic. Carlos Manuel Salas
Fiscal General del Estado de Chihuahua
Calle Vicente Guerrero 616 Col. Centro
Chihuahua, Chihuahua
México D.F. C.P. 31000
Tel: +52 614 429 3385 (switchboard: +52 614 429 3300)
Fax +52 614 415 0314
Messages can also be sent via the State Attorney General’s web site
Salutation: Señor Fiscal General del Estado de Chihuahua/Dear Chihuahua State Attorney General
 
Special Prosecutor for Crimes against Freedom of Expression
Lic. Laura Angelina Borbolla
Fiscal Especial para la Atención a Delitos cometidos contra la Libertad de Expresión (FEADLE)
Procurador General de la República - Subprocuraduría de Derechos Humanos
López 12, primer piso
Colonia centro, Delegacion Cuauhtémoc
México D.F. C.P. 06500
Tel: + 52 55 5346 4238
Fax: + 52 55 53 46 0908 (if a voice answers, ask "tono de fax, por favor")
Electronic messages can be sent via the Attorney General’s web site
 
Please also send copies of your appeals to the diplomatic representative for Mexico in your country if possible.
 

***Please send appeals immediately. Check with International PEN if sending appeals after 5 May 2013.***