Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Tuesday congratulated journalists on the World Press Freedom Day and acknowledged the risks for these professionals in Haiti.
The prime minister tweeted that, on May 3, the World Press Freedom Day, he honors all journalists around the world, especially those in his country, who work sometimes risking their lives in difficult conditions.
Several studies and human rights organizations noted the challenges for journalists in Haiti when it comes to fulfilling their mission to inform, while security in this Caribbean country is deteriorating, and armed gangs are exercising more control of the territories.
So far this year at least three journalists have been assassinated, two of them by gangs operating in Laboule 12, an affluent neighborhood southwest of Port-au-Prince, and the other were apparently shot by the police while covering a demonstration by textile workers.
Regarding the reporters killed by gangs, the UN wrote that these murders show the risks that Haitian journalists face on a daily basis to exercise their profession with complete independence and to inform both the country’s population and the international community of the abuses committed by armed gangs, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
It also reiterated that the work of journalists is fundamental to guarantee the right to freedom of expression and information, and urged authorities to put an end to crimes committed against communicators,and bring the culprits to justice.
At least seven journalists have been killed in Haiti since 2018, and to date authorities have not given any details of the investigation, and the culprits remain at large.
Prensa Latina
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