PEN demands investigation into murder of Mexican journalist
August 18, 2015
American author Paul Auster and British writer Salman Rushdie are among the intellectuals from PEN International which have spoken out in support of a quick and thorough investigation into the July 30 murder of 31-year-old Journalist Rubén Espinosa.
On Monday (17.08.2015), PEN sent an open letter to Mexican President Enrique Peño Nieto, urging him to "undertake an immediate review of the procedures established to protect reporters' lives, and to make a swift and effective commitment to guarantee and protect freedom of expression in Mexico."
Espinosa had been working in Veracruz for the magazine "Preceso" and the newspaper "AVC Noticias de Veracruz." He had received threats on his life for his work, in particular regarding social protests.
Journalists have increasingly come under pressure in the state of Veracruz: At least a dozen have been murdered and three have disappeared since the current governor took office in 2010.
Just recently, Espinosa had relocated to Mexico City, which was considered safer than Veracruz. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mexico is - after Iraq and Syria - the third most dangerous place in the world for journalists. The vast majority of suspicious deaths are never thoroughly investigated.
kbm/jgt (dpa, AFP)