Mexico Should Investigate Murder of Ruben Espinosa

Washington

In response to the murder of Mexican photojournalist Ruben Espinosa of Revista Proceso, Freedom House issued the following statement:

“With the level of violence against journalists in Mexico increasing at an alarming rate, we hope this case doesn’t become the latest example of the generalized impunity that prevails in Mexico, which for journalists is nearly 90 percent," said  Carlos Ponce, director for Latin America programs. “Federal authorities, exercising their power under Constitutional Reform Article 73, should conduct a thorough investigation and regard this murder as an attack on freedom of expression."
 
Background: 
On July 31st, Article 19 reported the disappearance of Espinosa, who was in self-exile since June 9th after being harassed and threatened for his journalism in Veracruz. Prosecutors said  informed four women and one man -- Espinosa -- were found on August 1st shot to death, with their hands and feet tied together and their bodies showing signs of torture. This is the first case in which an internally displaced journalist has been assassinated. Four of the seven journalists assassinated so far this year are from Veracruz. 

Mexico is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015, and Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2014.