Bogota‘s public television station called on the Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday to intercede on its behalf amid threats to its executives, weeks after public appeals to Colombian national authorities.
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In a document presented to the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Canal Capital director Hollman Morris made a special appeal to “investigate this case as a priority, and state what measures need to be taken to address this issue,” adding that this environment of pressure and intimidation “constitutes a threat to the right of information, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press” against the station and its viewers.
Morris once again asked Colombian authorities for guarantees of protection for himself and the Channel’s executives, urging the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate the source of the threats.
Since Morris was appointed director of Canal Capital by Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro in 2012, he has been promoting programming on topics concerning the environment, women’s rights, and sexual freedom in sync with the progressive policies of the mayor.
In April of 2013, Canal Capital signed an agreement with the United Nations to educate the Bogota public on human rights issues, with the aim of promoting a culture of peace.
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