Media Freedom Coalition statement on the situation of Jose Rubén Zamora

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) express their deep concern about the attacks on media freedom taking place in Guatemala, and particularly with the situation of leading journalist and founder of elPeriódico, Jose Rubén Zamora.

Mr. Zamora has endured deprivation of liberty for more than two years. His treatment has been deemed arbitrary by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) and a wide number of states globally. Among other findings, the WGAD noted that Mr. Zamora’s arrest and detention resulted from the exercise of his freedom of expression; that Mr. Zamora’s deprivation of liberty is discriminatory on the grounds of his political opinions; and that serious violations of the right to a fair trial had taken place, including the right to legal counsel, the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare his defense and to communicate with his lawyer, and breaches to the principle of equality of arms.

On 28th August 2024, UN Special Procedures shared the view that the charges against Mr. Zamora were connected to his work as a journalist, and referred to allegations concerning the inhumane conditions of his detention, which may have amounted to torture and may have endangered his life. The continuation of his pre-trial detention further extends the violation of his rights.

An independent and critical press is fundamental for democracy and the rule of law. Journalists and media workers in Guatemala should be free from threats and challenges that restrict their ability to report without fear or favor. However, the persecution against Mr. Zamora is not the first case of intimidation and judicial harassment against journalists in Guatemala, with alleged silencing purposes.

We call upon the members of the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor to guarantee the rights of Mr. Zamora and to abide by their international human rights commitments and legal obligations, including by immediately releasing Mr. Zamora from his arbitrary detention, and ensuring that any further legal proceedings against him are carried out in a speedy manner and comply with international law. We welcome President Bernardo Arévalo’s stated commitment to media freedom and his expressed concern about Mr. Zamora’s case, and encourage his administration to ensure Guatemala’s obligations and commitments under international human rights law are complied with.

The undersigned members stand in solidarity with Mr. Zamora and other journalists subject to attack, harassment, and intimidation.