17 October 2003
The Bolivian CRIS Platform (Communication Rights in the Information Society), an inter-institutional body working around human rights and the use of the right to information and communication in Bolivia supports the work undertaken by the Association for Wireless Education in Bolivia (ERBOL) within the process of political crisis that is affecting the
country at present.
CRIS calls out to the international solidarity networks and denounces the events of Wednesday 15 October when one of the affiliates of ERBOL (Radio Pio XII) in Oruro was forced to close down. This was as a direct result of their role in providing information on the crisis that is developing in the country.
We also protest and call on all international networks to do the same with regards to the seizure of editions of: El Diario, the Weekly PULSO, Channel 2, Channel 4, Gigavisión in addition to ordering the closing of the Oruro University's TV Channel.
In reaction to these events, the CRIS Campaign demands that respect of human rights and freedom of expression and information be considered fundamental pillars of any democratic system. Thus CRIS Bolivia restates that the right to information in free societies as per the Pact of San Jose, incorporates freedom of expression and the right to have access to and receive information for all citizens. This same principle is protected by the Political Constitution of the Bolivian State and in agreement with the Law of the Press of 1925.
All associated with this platform will remain alert to the defense of the rights to information and communication for all. We also demand that the State respect these individual and collective rights over and anbove any other sectorial or international interest. On behalf of the CRIS Campaign, the Committee of Coordinacion Nacional (CCN).
Statements of solidarity can be sent to the Executive Secretary of ERBOL, René Zeballos at
renezeb@caoba.entelnet.boand Durette Robert, Director of Radio Pío XII at robdurett@hotmail.com.
Statement of solidarity from Latin American and Caribbean communicators
From: Myriam Horngren, CRIS Info list
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