OAS/IACHR condemns killing of Venezuelan journalist

Caracas, Venezuela, 5 June 2008. Today, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of Inter American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR), condemned the killing of journalist and Vice President of local newspaper Reporte de la Economía, 48-year-old Pierre Fould Gerges, in Caracas on Monday 2 June 2008. In a press communiqué R 24/8, the IACHR office of the Organization of American States (OAS) urged the Venezuelan government to investigate the killing promptly and punish those responsible for his death.

There are unresolved questions regarding the killing of Pierre Fould. Some have suggested he could have been mistaken by his brother Tannous Gerges who is the President of Diario Reporte de la Economía. Pierre was driving Tannous´s car when two men approached him and  at shot him 17 times. His brother and some newspaper staff had received threatening e-mails and phone calls. The editorial section of this newspaper has been rather critical of the Chavez government. It made public some corruption allegations. According to the American Convention of Human Rights, regional states have the duty to protect journalist from murder, kidnapping,intimidation, threats or any restriction to their freedom of expression.   

Sources: Globovision, Unionradio, IACHR/OSRFS, VTV, Diario Reporte de la Economía,