THE INTER-AMERICAN Press Association (IAPA) is calling for the Mexican Government to intervene in the alleged forcible removal of 31 journalists by trade union supporters, from the office of the Noticias, Voz e Imagen de Oaxaca newspaper on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Tuesday, IAPA claimed the trade union supporters were in turn supported by police and state government of Oaxaca in the South American country.
IAPA's directors said the forced removal of the newspaper's journalists was retaliation for its criticism of State Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz.
ONE FOUND DEAD
Prior to the alleged intervention by the Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Confederation (CROC), the journalists had remained in the building since June 18, to ensure publication of the newspaper. IAPA said the tension dated back to November 28, 2004, when alleged locals raided the newspaper's printing press and one person was found dead. Storekeepers again took over the premises on December 1.
"We reiterate that the federal government and especially President Vicente Fox take urgent steps to solve the conflict in Oaxaca immediately," said Gonzalo Marrquin, chairman of IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.
Mr. Marrquin said IAPA officers would decide whether to send an investigative team to Oaxaca at their next meeting on Friday.
