Nineteen international civil society organizations demand due process for journalist Jose Rubén Zamora ahead of a crucial court hearing in Guatemala City on October 18, 2024. Imprisoned unjustly since July 29, 2022, Zamora’s case highlights severe violations of human rights and judicial independence, amidst growing intimidation efforts against those who defend him. Multiple lawyers have been threatened, forcing them to abandon his defense, while Zamora faces conditions tantamount to torture during his unlawful detention.
In a dramatic plea for justice, nineteen international organizations stand united in demanding due process for journalist Jose Rubén Zamora, who faces a critical hearing in Guatemala City on October 18, 2024. Zamora, imprisoned since July 29, 2022, has become a harrowing symbol of human rights violations and judicial oppression in Guatemala, with mounting concerns over the treatment he endures in confinement. As this hearing approaches, the substitute judge presiding over the case has been subjected to unrelenting pressure, including social media stigmatization and a criminal complaint. This represents a broader, insidious effort to intimidate those challenging politically motivated prosecutions, particularly against journalists, human rights defenders, and legal professionals who risk everything to uphold justice amid growing repression. Tragically, external pressures have forced at least ten of Zamora’s defenders to step away from the case, while some have even faced unjust legal reprisals, including imprisonment. Such alarming developments exacerbate the obvious irregularities and delays in Zamora’s trial, severely undermining his fundamental rights to a robust defense, presumption of innocence, and a fair trial. Currently held in Mariscal Zavala prison, Zamora has spent over 800 days behind bars, with international experts warning that his conditions may amount to torture and cruel treatment. These harsh realities strip away his dignity and reflect severe violations of justice, as noted by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which has urgently called for his release, asserting that his prosecution infringes on freedom of expression. Zamora stands at the crossroads of two pending criminal cases, both imposing pre-trial detention orders that obstruct his path to freedom. A recent ruling in one case allowed for a potential modification of his situation, yet a second order remains, presenting a significant legal barrier that persists as of the upcoming hearing. In light of this critical juncture, the undersigned organizations implore that this hearing be conducted with full respect for due process and judicial independence. Ensuring fairness in these proceedings is essential not only for Zamora but also for the protection of fundamental democratic rights in Guatemala.
The plight of Jose Rubén Zamora exemplifies the harrowing struggle faced by those who stand against corruption and impunity in Guatemala. His ongoing detention has attracted international scrutiny, revealing a disturbing pattern of judicial intimidation and human rights abuses. With a growing number of advocates being silenced or pressured to withdraw, the situation calls for solidarity, vigilance, and a commitment to upholding due process in the face of systemic oppression.
The upcoming hearing for Jose Rubén Zamora embodies a critical moment for justice in Guatemala. With international organizations rallying for due process amid escalating threats to judicial independence, it is crucial that this hearing unfolds without bias or influence. The world watches closely, as the outcome may set a precedent for human rights and freedom of expression in the nation.
Original Source: www.amnestyusa.org
