Venezuela

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WHEREAS in Venezuela the actions of the government of President Hugo Chávez against the existence of independent media outlets, freedom of expression and the public´s access to information, guaranteed by the Constituion, have become more radical WHEREAS Chávez´s control over sectors of the government have made it possible to approve laws that were contained in his proposed constitution that was defeated by la popular vote on December 2, 2007 WHEREAS these laws approved and enforced by Chávez violate basic democratic principles, human rights, freedom of expression and information and others WHEREAS these laws favor making dissent a crime, repression, persecution and incarceration for political reasons without due process WHEREAS attacks and abuses against journalists and independent media outlets and radio and television stations have been exacerbated, with the closure of 34 stations, threats and huge fines WHEREAS Guillermo Zuloaga, president of Globovisión, has been charged and prohibited from leaving the country; journalist Rafael Poleo, editor of the daily El Nuevo País and the magazine ZETA was charged and went into exile; journalist Gustavo Azócar is still in jail and journalist Patrica Poleo is in exile WHEREAS Article 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 report that the laws that violate democratic principles approved by President Chávez also conflict with international norms, violate human rights, press freedom and access to information to report and reject the charges against journalist Rafael Poleo, editor of the daily El Nuevo País and the magazine ZETA, and the president of Globovisión channel, Guillermo Zuloaga, the incarceration of journalist Gustavo Azócar, the exile of journalist Patricia Poleo and the repeated threats and political persecution of journalists and media outlet.

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