Preocupa a la SIP desaparición de periodista mexicano/Mexican journalist disappearance raises concern

“Urgimos a las autoridades a iniciar cuanto antes una investigación hasta dar con el periodista e identificar a los responsables”, expresó Gonzalo Marroquín, presidente de la Comisión de Libertad de Prensa e Información.

De acuerdo a investigaciones de la Unidad de Respuesta Rápida de la SIP en México, familiares de Ortiz Martínez presentaron la denuncia sobre su desaparición ante la Procuraduría General de Justicia estatal. El periodista fue visto por última vez la madrugada del sábado tras concluir sus actividades en el diario y se presume que su desaparición esté ligada a su actividad profesional.

Desde enero de este año Ortiz Martínez, de 32 años, ha ejercido como redactor del periódico Zócalo y conductor de un noticiero local de radio, ambos en la ciudad de Monclova, en el norteño estado de Coahuila. El periodista cubre información sobre prostitución y alcoholismo, entre otros temas de interés social. En junio pasado había sido galardonado con dos premios estatales de periodismo.

Marroquín, director del periódico guatemalteco Prensa Libre, aseveró que “confiamos que este caso no siga los mismos pasos” del de Alfredo Jiménez Mota, de El Imparcial de Hermosillo, Sonora”, periodista que permanece desaparecido desde el 2 de abril del 2005, presumiblemente por sus denuncias en contra de las actividades de narcotraficantes.

Mexican journalist disappearance raises concern

MIAMI, Florida (July 12, 2006)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today issued an urgent call to the Mexican authorities – in particular the special public prosecutor dealing with crimes against journalists – to take immediate action to learn the whereabouts of reporter Rafael Ortiz Martínez, who went missing on July 8.

“We urge the authorities to begin investigating as soon as possible so as locate the journalist and identify those responsible for his disappearance,” declared Gonzalo Marroquín, chairman of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.

According to inquiries carried out by the IAPA’s Rapid Response Unit in Mexico Ortiz Martínez’ family members have filed a formal notification of his disappearance with the State Attorney’s Office. He was last seen early on Saturday, July 8 after finishing work at his newspaper. His disappearance is believed connected to his work as a reporter.

Ortiz Martínez, 32, has worked at the newspaper Zócalo and as host of a news program for a local radio station, both in the city of Monclova, in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila, since January this year. He has lately been covering prostitution and alcoholism in the area, among other topics of social interest. In June he was awarded two state prizes for his reporting.

Marroquín, editor of the Guatemala City, Guatemala, newspaper Prensa Libre, said, “We trust that this case does not become like that of Alfredo Jiménez Mota, from the Hermosillo, Sonora state, newspaper El Imparcial.” Jiménez Mota has been missing since April 2, 2005, his disappearance presumably due to his exposure of drug trafficking activities.      

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