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Impunity feared in Mexico photojournalist's murder | Impunity feared in Mexico photojournalist's murder |
(2 days later) | |
"No pasa nada" is a saying you often hear in Mexico. | "No pasa nada" is a saying you often hear in Mexico. |
It means "nothing happens" but people often use it reassuringly as in: "Don't worry about it, it's nothing." | It means "nothing happens" but people often use it reassuringly as in: "Don't worry about it, it's nothing." |
When it comes to solving murders, "no pasa nada" is a pretty accurate description. | When it comes to solving murders, "no pasa nada" is a pretty accurate description. |
According to Mexico's statistics institute, 98% of homicides in 2012 went unsolved. | According to Mexico's statistics institute, 98% of homicides in 2012 went unsolved. |
The culture of impunity is frightening. | The culture of impunity is frightening. |
The 31 July murder of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa along with four women in a middle-class neighbourhood of Mexico City is a crime that many fear will once again go unsolved. | The 31 July murder of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa along with four women in a middle-class neighbourhood of Mexico City is a crime that many fear will once again go unsolved. |
Mr Espinosa worked as a photojournalist in the eastern state of Veracruz for the investigative magazine Proceso, among others. | Mr Espinosa worked as a photojournalist in the eastern state of Veracruz for the investigative magazine Proceso, among others. |
He had recently left Veracruz for Mexico City because of safety fears. | He had recently left Veracruz for Mexico City because of safety fears. |
Veracruz is the most dangerous place to be a journalist in Mexico, which itself is deemed one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. | Veracruz is the most dangerous place to be a journalist in Mexico, which itself is deemed one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. |
Nationwide, 88 journalists have been murdered since 2000, according to free speech organisation Article 19. | Nationwide, 88 journalists have been murdered since 2000, according to free speech organisation Article 19. |
Fourteen journalists from Veracruz state alone have died since current governor Javier Duarte took office in 2010. | Fourteen journalists from Veracruz state alone have died since current governor Javier Duarte took office in 2010. |
That makes Veracruz the most lethal state for journalists out of Mexico's 31 states and its federal district. | That makes Veracruz the most lethal state for journalists out of Mexico's 31 states and its federal district. |
No love lost | No love lost |
Relations between the Veracruz governor and the media have been tense. In July, Governor Duarte accused some journalists of having criminal ties. | Relations between the Veracruz governor and the media have been tense. In July, Governor Duarte accused some journalists of having criminal ties. |
He went on to warn them to "behave", arguing that if anything were to happen to them, it would be him who would be "crucified". | He went on to warn them to "behave", arguing that if anything were to happen to them, it would be him who would be "crucified". |
Some local journalists saw this as a thinly veiled threat against them. | Some local journalists saw this as a thinly veiled threat against them. |
Human rights investigator Patrick Timmons says that while Veracruz may currently be the most risky place for journalists in Mexico, other states are not immune from violence against the media. | |
"We have to understand that what we're seeing in Veracruz has happened in other states and it will happen in other states too," he warns. | "We have to understand that what we're seeing in Veracruz has happened in other states and it will happen in other states too," he warns. |
Mexican authorities investigating the multiple murder said they were keeping all lines of investigation open, including robbery. | Mexican authorities investigating the multiple murder said they were keeping all lines of investigation open, including robbery. |
But friends and relatives of Mr Espinosa think he was deliberately targeted, pointing to the execution-style nature of the killing. | But friends and relatives of Mr Espinosa think he was deliberately targeted, pointing to the execution-style nature of the killing. |
All five victims were shot in the head. Mr Espinosa's body showed signs of torture and three of the four women were raped. | All five victims were shot in the head. Mr Espinosa's body showed signs of torture and three of the four women were raped. |
So far, one suspect has been arrested. | So far, one suspect has been arrested. |
Investigators said his fingerprints had been found at the crime scene and matched to a database which showed he had a criminal record for rape and assault. | Investigators said his fingerprints had been found at the crime scene and matched to a database which showed he had a criminal record for rape and assault. |
But Emily Edmonds-Poli, associate professor of political science at the University of San Diego and author of a paper on violence against journalists in Mexico, is sceptical. | But Emily Edmonds-Poli, associate professor of political science at the University of San Diego and author of a paper on violence against journalists in Mexico, is sceptical. |
"That's so old-hat in Mexico, you pick up the nearest criminal and you accuse them of the crime," she said. | "That's so old-hat in Mexico, you pick up the nearest criminal and you accuse them of the crime," she said. |
"I don't believe anyone is fooled by that," she added, | "I don't believe anyone is fooled by that," she added, |
Drugs war or politics? | Drugs war or politics? |
Many of the journalists killed in Mexico reported on organised crime and drug trafficking, considered inherently risky beats. | Many of the journalists killed in Mexico reported on organised crime and drug trafficking, considered inherently risky beats. |
But Prof Edmonds-Poli thinks their killings should not be dismissed that easily. | But Prof Edmonds-Poli thinks their killings should not be dismissed that easily. |
"Many of them have covered corruption beats or politics, they are not necessarily chasing ambulances and trying to report on cartel activities," she argues. | "Many of them have covered corruption beats or politics, they are not necessarily chasing ambulances and trying to report on cartel activities," she argues. |
She says that "it's the nexus between drug-trafficking organisations and the government, and that's why this really isn't solely a drug-related issue". | She says that "it's the nexus between drug-trafficking organisations and the government, and that's why this really isn't solely a drug-related issue". |
"It's about how the state deals with being exposed," she adds. | "It's about how the state deals with being exposed," she adds. |
No safe haven | No safe haven |
The fact that Mr Espinosa was killed in Mexico City after having fled Veracruz, where he had received death threats, is seen by many as a dark development. | The fact that Mr Espinosa was killed in Mexico City after having fled Veracruz, where he had received death threats, is seen by many as a dark development. |
Mexico City had for several years been seen as a safe haven, a bubble for journalists. | Mexico City had for several years been seen as a safe haven, a bubble for journalists. |
But that bubble has now burst. | But that bubble has now burst. |
Free speech group Article 19 argues that Mr Espinosa's murder marks a new level of violence against journalists in Mexico. | Free speech group Article 19 argues that Mr Espinosa's murder marks a new level of violence against journalists in Mexico. |
"If you get pursued into Mexico City, that shows another level of determination on the part of people who are interested in silencing journalists," said Emily Edmonds-Poli. | "If you get pursued into Mexico City, that shows another level of determination on the part of people who are interested in silencing journalists," said Emily Edmonds-Poli. |
Ruben Espinosa's murder shows that it is no longer true that in Mexico City "no pasa nada". | Ruben Espinosa's murder shows that it is no longer true that in Mexico City "no pasa nada". |
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