The Cape Verde Journalists’ Union Association (AJOC) has condemned a violent assault on Valdir Araújo, a journalist and delegate for RTP-África in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as a “serious attack on press freedom and human rights.”
Araújo was attacked and robbed in Bissau on Saturday night, July 26, while carrying out his reporting duties. AJOC, in a statement released on Sunday, demanded justice and urged Guinean authorities to protect journalists working in what it called “increasingly hostile circumstances.”
“We strongly condemn the assault and robbery perpetrated against a professional in the full exercise of his duty to inform and which represent a serious affront to freedom of the press and human rights,” the statement read.
The union expressed solidarity with its sub-regional partner SINJOTECS and praised media workers in Guinea-Bissau for continuing their work “with firmness and dignity” despite mounting threats.
“As sister organizations, united by historical, geographical, linguistic, and cultural ties, we cannot remain indifferent to acts that threaten the physical and moral integrity of our colleagues,” AJOC said.
It urged Guinean authorities to prosecute those responsible and ensure safe conditions for the press, warning that attacks on journalists are an attempt to “silence the truth.”
“Intimidating journalists is an attempt to silence the truth. And the truth, that’s something that cannot be silenced,” the statement concluded.
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