Death threats against head of panel set up to help investigate murders of journalists

Reporters Without Borders voiced deep concern today about the death threats that Joseph Guyler Delva, a news programme host on privately-owned Radio Mélodie FM, has been getting since 25 October. The head of a press freedom NGO called SOS Journalistes, Delva is also the director of an Independent Commission for Supporting Investigations into Murders of Journalists (CIAPEAJ), created on 10 August at the initiative of President René Préval and SOS Journalistes. “Despite recent progress, press freedom remains fragile in Haiti, as evidenced by the attempts to intimidate Delva,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We hope they are not linked to his activity as head of the CIAPEAJ and his determination to combat impunity for those who murder journalists. The authorities must quickly identify and punish those responsible for these threats and guarantee the safety of Delva and all journalists in Haiti.” Delva got two anonymous calls on his mobile phone on 25 October in which he was told: “You had better watch out, because we know where you are and we are going to get you.” After receiving similar calls in the days that followed, Delva decided to report the threats to the authorities. As well as hosting a morning news programme on Port-au-Prince-based Radio Mélodie FM, Delva is the Haiti correspondent of the BBC, Caribbean Media Corporation and the New York-based Haitian Times newspaper.