Transparency International condemns threats against member of Dominican Republic chapter

Berlin – Transparency International, the anti-corruption group, today condemns recent threats made on the life of Dominican journalist Fausto Rosario Adames and calls on President Danilo Medina to take all measures to protect the life of this champion of the freedom of expression.

Adames is the director of an online daily news site and a founding member of Participación Ciudadana, Transparency International´s National Chapter in the Dominican Republic. Transparency International is deeply concerned about an alleged plot threatening his life that was described in a newspaper last week.

We at Transparency International refuse any form of violence against a human being and actions of intimidation aimed at stifling speech. We recognise the unique value of the work of journalists in the fight against corruption and in stopping those who get away with secret dealings, the abuse of power and bribery.

Aside from upholding the sanctity of human life and the freedom of speech, the government of the Dominican Republic has an obligation “to prevent human rights violations and to use the means at its disposal to carry out a serious investigation of violations committed within its jurisdiction, to identify those responsible, to impose the appropriate punishments on them, and to ensure the victim adequate compensation,” according to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Dominican Republic is a party to the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights, which this court upholds.

Transparency International and Participación Ciudadana expects the Dominican Republic to send a positive message showing that responsible and independent journalism and freedom of speech are not threatened in the country, and that the dignity and the life of journalists are respected.

For any press enquiries please contact

Berlin
Chris Sanders +49 30 34 38 20 666
Email: [email protected]

Dominican Republic
Participación Ciudadana
Roberto Alvárez, Coordinador General 1-809-330-6265
Email: [email protected]
Rosalía Sosa Pérez, Directora Ejectuvia 1-809-696-2790
Email: [email protected]