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José Rubén Zamora/Guatemala

José Rubén Zamora, a distinguished journalist and the director of the newspaper “El Periódico,” was arrested on July 29, 2022. Known for his investigative journalism, Zamora has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. His arrest has raised significant concerns regarding press freedom and human rights in Guatemala, particularly in light of the politically charged environment surrounding his work.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed three separate criminal cases against Zamora, which could lead to several years of imprisonment. International human rights organisations have found no credible evidence supporting these charges and have highlighted numerous human rights violations committed against him during his detention. Also, Zamora has been declared a prisoner of conscience, and the nature of his detention is emphasized as politically motivated by prominent international organizations. United Nations experts have also condemned his arbitrary detention and called for his immediate release.

Zamora has been unjustly deprived of his liberty for over 800 days in Mariscal Zavala prison in Guatemala City. Reports indicate that the conditions of his imprisonment may constitute torture and cruel, inhumane treatment. Despite international calls for his release, the Guatemalan authorities continue to pursue legal actions against him, reflecting a broader trend of criminalizing journalists and human rights defenders in the country.

On June 14, 2023, Zamora was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to six years in prison, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations. An appeals court later revoked an order to release him to house arrest, keeping him in prison due to a separate case against him. However, on January 13, 2024, the Supreme Court of Justice accepted Zamora’s request for constitutional protection, allowing him to remain under house arrest instead of returning to prison.

Zamora’s case has become emblematic of the challenges faced by journalists in Guatemala, particularly those who expose corruption and advocate for accountability. At the time of his arrest, El Periódico had published 144 reports on corruption attributed to the previous government within just 144 days, highlighting the critical role of investigative journalism in promoting transparency.

José Rubén Zamora’s situation underscores the urgent need for international attention to the deteriorating state of press freedom and human rights in Guatemala. His case illustrates the risks faced by journalists who challenge corruption and impunity, and it calls for a concerted effort to protect those who stand up for human rights and freedom of expression in the region. The ongoing legal battles and the political motivations behind Zamora’s detention highlight the broader implications for democracy and civil liberties in Guatemala.

RIGHTSDEFENDERS Initiative calls on the Guatemalan government to prioritize the protection of press freedom and human rights in Guatemala and demonstrate its commitment to the principles of the rule of law by dropping cases against Zamora.

References:

  1. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/10/guatemala-exigen-garantias-debido-proceso-audiencia-podria-permitir-jose-ruben-zamora-recobrar-libertad/
  1. https://apnews.com/article/guatemala-newspaper-zamora-persecution-b297d4498737f496236bc990940e4ef2
  1. https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/DFP/Countries/Guatemala/Jose-Ruben-Zamora
  1. https://rsf.org/en/guatemala-rsf-welcomes-supreme-court-decision-jose-rub%C3%A9n-zamora-case-and-renews-call-his-full
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