Emilio Goicoechea Luna
Mexican Ambassador to Canada
Embassy of the Republic of Mexico
45 O'Connor, Suite 1000
Ottawa , Ontario
Canada
K1P 1A4
TEL: (613) 233-8988
FAX: (613) 235-9123

Dear Ambassador:

I _____________ join with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), in condemning the execution-style killing of journalist Amado Ramírez Dillanes in Acapulco, in what has become a pattern of deadly attacks against the press that continue at an alarming rate. Mexico has the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous country in the Americas to practice journalism.

Ramírez, 50, the Acapulco-based correspondent for the broadcast station Televisa and host of the daily news program “Al Tanto” on local Radiorama, was shot to death near the city's main square on the evening of April 6, 2007.

In early 2006, the Mexican government recognized violence against the press as a national problem by creating a special prosecutor's office to investigate crimes against the press. Unfortunately, Mexico 's justice system has failed to bring an end to this cycle of violence and appears far from solving any of the recent murders.

It is critical that all Mexicans are able to seek information and express themselves without fear of reprisal. Violence against journalists inhibits the ability of Mexicans to communicate with each other. We believe that this is a national problem whose resolution requires the engagement of the federal government which must assume the responsibility of protecting journalists under threat.

Unlike the many unsolved cases of journalists being killed for exercising free expression, quick action by the federal police has netted two suspects in the slaying of Amado Ramírez Dillanes. We urge authorities to continue to treat this matter with great urgency, and ensure that those responsible for the killing, and the masterminds behind the killing are brought to justice.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely yours,

______________

Name