Nineteen international organizations demand due process for journalist Jose Rubén Zamora as his case is reviewed on October 18, 2024. Zamora has faced over 800 days of unjust imprisonment since July 2022, under conditions likened to torture. The upcoming court decision is crucial, as it could lead to either continuing detention or conditional release. Authorities face accusations of intimidating legal representatives and jeopardizing judicial independence.
On October 18, 2024, 19 international civil society organizations are urging Guatemala to uphold due process during the court’s review of journalist Jose Rubén Zamora’s stay in pre-trial detention. Zamora, imprisoned since July 29, 2022, faces escalating human rights violations and growing threats against judicial independence. The court’s decision will heavily impact his ongoing, unjust imprisonment.
Jose Rubén Zamora’s case highlights a troubling pattern of targeting those challenging state power in Guatemala. His detention has rattled lawyers and defenders, forcing them to abandon their support due to intimidation and potential retribution. These maneuvers pose significant risks to the integrity of the judicial system and threaten the fundamental rights of journalists and human rights advocates.
The appeal for due process in Jose Rubén Zamora’s case encapsulates a broader concern over judicial independence in Guatemala. With various human rights organizations backing this movement, the hope is for a fair hearing on October 18 that honors Zamora’s rights and liberty. Urgency surrounds this issue, as continued imprisonment undermines critical voices in society.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
