The officials who visited the journalist are Enrique Roig, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, who arrived with Mileydi Guilarte, deputy administrator at the USAID Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), according to the State Department’s networks.
The State Department stressed that Zamora Marroquín has been in prison for 770 days and during that time his investigative media outlet, ElPeriódico, was forced to close and that more than five journalists who worked with him began to be persecuted for writing about his imprisonment.
“We will continue to work with Guatemala as partners to protect freedom of expression,” the statement added about the visit on Friday.
The journalist was imprisoned on <a href="https://www.archyde.com/alejandro-sanz-serrat-dua-lipa-or-red-hot-chili-peppers-these-are-the-great-tours-of-2022/” title=”Alejandro Sanz, Serrat, Dua Lipa or Red Hot Chili Peppers … These are the great tours of 2022″>July 29, 2022, just five days after making strong allegations of corruption in an editorial, in which he referred to some officials.
Zamora Marroquín, 66, was charged with money laundering in one case and obstruction of justice in at least two others, although he has not been convicted in any of the legal proceedings against him.
The journalist was granted house arrest in August for one of the cases, but remains in preventive detention for two other judicial proceedings, despite the fact that dozens of international and local organizations have classified the accusations against him as spurious. EFE
On August 23, the Presidential Commission for Peace and Human Rights reported that Guatemala is currently under the surveillance and supervision of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which are two United Nations (UN) human rights protection mechanisms to investigate cases of arbitrarily detained persons around the world.
He stressed that the aforementioned Working Group is following up on three cases in Guatemala declared as arbitrary detentions, these being that of Sergio Alfredo Herrera Acevedo, arrested on April 12, 2019 in a process concluded eight years before his arrest; that of Lilian Virginia Laparra Rivas, arrested on February 23, 2022; and the case of Jose Rubén Zamora Marroquín, journalist, founder and director of the defunct newspaper elPeriódico, who was arrested on July 29, 2022.
DRL Deputy Assistant Secretary Roig & @USAIDLAC Deputy Assistant Administrator Guilarte met with imprisoned Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, who has now been detained for 770 days. El Periodico was closed, and investigative journalists had to flee Guatemala. Zamora… pic.twitter.com/hbPOZISVhE
— State Department: Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor (@StateDRL) September 6, 2024
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#officials #visit #journalist #Jose #Ruben #Zamora #prison #days
What legal and political factors have contributed to the arrest and prolonged detention of José Rubén Zamora in Guatemala, and how do they reflect the broader climate of intimidation faced by journalists in the country?
Table of Contents
The Persecution of Journalists in Guatemala: The Case of José Rubén Zamora
Guatemala has been under the spotlight for its treatment of journalists, particularly the case of José Rubén Zamora, a renowned Guatemalan journalist who has been imprisoned for over 770 days. Zamora, 66, was arrested on July 29, 2022, just five days after making strong allegations of corruption in an editorial, in which he referred to some officials [[1]]. He was charged with money laundering in one case and obstruction of justice in at least two others, although he has not been convicted in any of the legal proceedings against him.
The visit of US officials, including Enrique Roig, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Mileydi Guilarte, deputy administrator at the USAID Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), to Zamora in prison has highlighted the concerns of the international community regarding the persecution of journalists in Guatemala [[2]]. The State Department stressed that Zamora has been in prison for 770 days, during which his investigative media outlet, El Periódico, was forced to close, and more than five journalists who worked with him began to be persecuted for writing about his imprisonment.
The Guatemalan government has been accused of using arbitrary detention as a means of silencing journalists and human rights defenders. The Presidential Commission for Peace and Human Rights reported that Guatemala is currently under the surveillance and supervision of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, two United Nations (UN) human rights protection mechanisms to investigate cases of arbitrarily detained persons around the world [[3]].
The case of Zamora is not an isolated incident. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is following up on three cases in Guatemala declared as arbitrary detentions, including that of Zamora, Sergio Alfredo Herrera Acevedo, and Lilian Virginia Laparra Rivas. The Guatemalan government’s treatment of journalists and human rights defenders has sparked widespread condemnation from international organizations and human rights groups.
The persecution of journalists in Guatemala is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. The international community must continue to pressure the Guatemalan government to protect freedom of expression and ensure that journalists can work without fear of persecution or imprisonment. The case of José Rubén Zamora is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in Guatemala and the need for urgent action to protect their rights.
References:
The Plight of Guatemalan Journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín: A Fight for Freedom of Expression
In a country where freedom of expression is under siege, Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín has become a symbol of resistance against corruption and oppression. Imprisoned since July 29, 2022, Zamora Marroquín has spent over 770 days behind bars, despite not being convicted in any of the legal proceedings against him.
Arbitrary Detention and Spurious Accusations
Zamora Marroquín, 66, was charged with money laundering in one case and obstruction of justice in at least two others. However, dozens of international and local organizations have classified the accusations against him as spurious [1[1]. The journalist was granted house arrest in August for one of the cases, but remains in preventive detention for two other judicial proceedings.
International Pressure and UN Intervention
The United Nations (UN) human rights protection mechanisms have taken notice of Zamora Marroquín’s case. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are investigating cases of arbitrarily detained persons around the world, including Guatemala [2[2].
US State Department’s Support
Recently, US officials, including Enrique Roig, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Mileydi Guilarte, deputy administrator at the USAID Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), visited Zamora Marroquín in prison. The State Department emphasized that Zamora Marroquín has been in prison for 770 days, during which time his investigative media outlet, ElPeriódico, was forced to close, and more than five journalists who worked with him began to be persecuted for writing about his imprisonment [3[3].
The Fight Continues
The visit by US officials marks a significant step towards Zamora Marroquín’s release and the protection of freedom of expression in Guatemala. As the State Department stated, “We will continue to work with Guatemala as partners to protect freedom of expression.” The international community must continue to pressure the Guatemalan government to ensure Zamora Marroquín’s release and an end to the persecution of journalists who dare to speak truth to power.
the case of José Rubén Zamora Marroquín serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting freedom of expression and the need for international solidarity in the face of oppression. His plight is a testament to the courage and resilience of journalists who risk everything to expose corruption and bring truth to light.
