WHEREAS
twenty-two journalists received threats in various regions of the country, one journalist was forced into exile, and fourteen journalists were attacked or hindered in their work as journalists — overwhelmingly by law enforcement officers

WHEREAS
the magazine Semana reported threats and wiretapping of journalists' telephones by government agencies, and investigative reporter Claudia Julieta Suárez has been followed by cars with license plates used by state security agencies

WHEREAS
Cúcuta has become a perilous place for the journalism profession: nine journalists were threatened, and one was the victim of an attempt on his life in which Mayor Ramiro Corzo and paramilitary forces were implicated

WHEREAS
the last six months have been witness to the widespread use of court actions, such as judicial relief and actions for libel as a way of exerting pressure, in some cases denying the right to a defense in order to intimidate journalists and the media

WHEREAS
Principle 4 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states, “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 request that the government of Colombia and its civil and military authorities respect journalists' work and implement effective security measures to defend the free practice of journalism, which is currently jeopardized by a widespread climate of threats and intimidation

to urge the government of Colombia to investigate and determine which of the government agencies is responsible for wiretapping and following journalists

to urge the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute government forces or private individuals responsible for violating freedom of the press

to urge the judiciary to recognize the autonomy of the media and respect due process and the right to a defense.