27 November 2006

Urgent Action: Help save the life of brave journalist

Colombian journalist Fredy Munoz Alatamiranda has been arrested by Colombia's notorious secret police after participating in a workshop organised by one of the BBC's US correspondents.

Friends believe his arrest on the grounds of “rebellion” is a result of his recent TV reports on forced displacement in Colombia and links between the government, army and paramilitaries.
This detention follows a pattern of persecution against independent journalists exercising their right to freedom of expression. Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a journalist. Few are brave enough to speak out - Fredy Munoz was.

Now he needs us to speak out for him. For further background information and a direct appeal from Fredy Munoz see www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1541

Please write letters/emails to the Colombian Ambassador requesting the Colombian government to:
Respect the life and physical and psychological integrity of Fredy Munoz Altamiranda
Respect due process and the right to defence.
Respect the right to freedom of expression.
Send protests to: mail@colombianembassy.co.uk and please copy letters to: info@justiceforcolombia.org

For further information see www.justiceforcolombia.org

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