Bolivia

WHEREAS at least one hundred journalists of private press, radio and television outlets were the targets of various kinds of attacks by militants or sympathizers of the government and the opposition during the discussion of national political changes WHEREAS the threat of the new proposed Constitution, already approved by the government, is still pending; its Article 108, paragraph II says: “News and opinions published in the social communications media must respect the principles of truth and responsibility,” which is a violation of press freedom WHEREAS principle 4 of the Declaration of Chapultepec says, “Freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder, terrorism, kidnapping, pressure, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly” THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE IAPA RESOLVES to urge officials to guarantee the public right to information and free expression of thought as a fundamental aspect of democracy to urge the Bolivian Congress to respect in the new Constitution precepts of freedom of expression according to international agreements signed by the government.