U.S. Statement on Killing of Honduran Journalist Nahun Palacios

March 17, 2010

Delivered by Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative W. Lewis Amselem,
OAS Permanent Council

Mr. Chairman,

My apologies for using the “Other Business” agenda item for bringing up this subject.  We try very hard not to abuse that agenda item, but there are times when we have to use it to raise important matters.  This is one of those times.

Mr. Chairman, democratic politics can and should be open, lively, loud and impassioned.  Democratic politics, however, cannot be a blood sport.  They cannot result in one side or the other being exiled, imprisoned, or killed.

On the night of March 14, Honduran journalist Nahun Palacios was gunned down, a fact noted in a March 16 press release from the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR).  The United States joins the IACHR in deploring this third killing of a Honduran journalist in as many weeks.  Together with the IACHR, we urge the new Honduran government to investigate these crimes and hold accountable those found responsible.

We are deeply concerned about a recent events in which it appears that individuals who express political opinions, especially regarding the coup d’état of June 28 –either for it or against it-- are targeted for violence and intimidation.  As we said here last month, freedom of expression is central to the preservation of democracy, and limitations on that freedom constitute attacks on democracy itself.

Freedom of expression cannot exist if journalists – of the right, left, and center-- may be killed with impunity for practicing their profession.  This continued blood-letting in Honduras resulting from recent political troubles must stop.  We urge all parties in Honduras –of the right, left, and center--to respect each other’s political views and settle differences peacefully, through the democratic process.

We also urge the OAS to continue working with Hondurans to establish the Truth Commission called for in the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord.  The purpose of this Commission is to help Honduras heal its political wounds so that it can achieve true national reconciliation and stop this violence.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman