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Missing Journalist in Zacatecas, Feared Kidnapped Posted: 10 Dec 2013 10:29 PM PST Borderland Beat
MEXICO CITY - Organizations of defenders of freedom of expression warned about the disappearance of the reporter for Agency TV Hotline (Lineainformativa.com), Zoila Edith Márquez Chiu, whose whereabouts are unknown since Saturday December 7.  Article 19 and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported in separate statements of the disappearance of Márquez Chiu, who was last seen midday on Saturday the 7 in zacatecana capital. The organizations demanded local authorities,and eventually federal authorities take into account the practice of journalism as the line of investigation. Article 19 called for the intervention of the Special Prosecutor for (FEADLE) the Investigating of Crimes against Freedom of Expression, which depends on the Attorney General's Office (PGR), while RSF noted that the Zoila Edith case should be added to the Sergio Landa Rosado of Diario Cardel, whom nothing is known about him since January 22, and Gerardo Blanquet, of Radio Grande of Coahuila, whose whereabouts remain unknown since April 30.  RSF, an organization based in Paris, France, said that in the past 10 years, 18 journalists remain missing, one woman María Esther Aguilar Cansimbe, of Diario Cambio de Michoacan, disappeared on November 11, 2009."None of these cases have been solved, in which, by their nature, could involve corrupt police officers," said RSF. “We hope enough resources will be deployed to find Márquez safe and sound as soon as possible,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The authorities must respond to her family’s appeal. There is so far no proof that she has been kidnapped but the police should investigate the possibility that her disappearance is linked to her work.” "Even thought there is no direct indication that it is a kidnapping, December 7 being the last time the journalist was witnessed driving her car, RSF called for appropriate actions be undertaken by the authorities "as soon as possible to find the reporter safe and sound "an appropriate investigation is one that takes into account the professional activity of Márquez Chiu as an online investigator.."  Article 19, based in London, England, explained Zoila Edith was acting as a reporter and was the also the editor of Hotline, providing area coverage of general information and surveys of citizens. One of the last topics she covered was the student strike at the Normal School of Zacatecas.Lineainformativa, director Omar Hernández Herrera, gave the information that prior to her disappearance, the journalist, had not received any threats or in an incident that would jeopardize her integrity, a situation that also has occurred with the local media. "The journalist had been working the weekend before her disappearance on a report on the conflict in the mining town of Loreto, explained her boss,Omar Hernandez." He does not believe that the fact has to do with the type of information that was assigned to Zoila Edith. Article 19 called Zacatecas state authorities, as well as the FEADLE and PGR to investigate the disappearance of journalist Zoila Edith Márquez, and not to discard it as part of her work," the organization said in its statement. Recalling that the disappearance "effects the fundamental rights of individuals, including economic and social issues" Article 19 urged authorities to "take all measures necessary protection and investigation in this case." Details (Cont.) According to La Jornada online, four people took Chiu Marquez on Saturday afternoon, as she drove her vehicle-a silver Pointer plates ZHL 9684 - by Ave San Marcos, apparently bound for a video rental store to to deliver a rented movie. Witnesses reported to the newspaper that two men and two women in a black SUV Ecosport blocked the journalist's way at the intersection Minera and Las Palmas in the capital of the state, and forced her into the vehicle, after which it fled in an unknown direction.  The prosecutor told local media Zoila's husband reported her missing to the States Attorney, so investigations are being carried out. Family, friends and colleagues of the mother of two young children have mobilized social networks to spread the word with signs photographs, asking for support from the authorities for her search and localization. Through Twitter and Facebook have reproduced photographs of the journalist and the vehicle she was driving at the time of her disappearance. The latest word is Mexican authorities have launched a joint operation involving police, police prosecutors and members of the Army to search for journalist Zoila Edith Chiu. The search was ordered by the governor of Zacatecas Miguel Alonso Reyes.The surrounding states of Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Coahuila and Durango were alerted as well. Hashtags on Twitter: |
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