Paraguay: Mabel Portillo Hit with Second Restraining Order
Court bans Portillo from approaching the Municipal Mayor of Yataity, Gloria Duarte.
Location: Paraguay, Asunción
Date: December 7, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom vehemently denounces the recent judicial action taken against Mabel Portillo, a dedicated journalist working with Guairá Press. The issuing of a restraining order by a Paraguayan court, barring Portillo from approaching Gloria Duarte, the Municipal Mayor of Yataity, is a deeply concerning move against press freedom. This order, which includes the prohibition of "coercion" against Mayor Duarte or her family, marks the second occasion on which Portillo has been targeted with such punitive measures. We call for an immediate reevaluation of this decision by the court, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the fundamental right to freedom of the press.
A Paraguayan judge's ruling, which has sparked worries about freedom of speech and the unimpeded practice of journalism, has resulted in a restraining order against Mabel Portillo, a journalist from Guairá Press. The order bars Portillo from coming near Yataity's Municipal Mayor, Gloria Duarte, among other harsh restrictions. This is the second instance of such measures against Portillo, instigated by Duarte, who earlier this year sought similar restrictions. Portillo intends to challenge the decision before the Human Rights Commission of the Inter-American Court.
The case began in February with a complaint of alleged gender violence initiated by Duarte, leading to the first set of restrictions against Portillo. The journalist was prohibited from publishing anything about Duarte or mentioning her. In May, following a demonstration, Duarte filed a complaint against Portillo, who was among several journalists at the protest, but as the only one who criticized Duarte's version of events, was singled out. The complaint against her was based on her "non-verbal language," which was interpreted as incitement against the mayor.
“We were with other journalists from other media, but since I was the only journalist in the area and the only one who criticized her version, she reported seven of us, but she sued me.” said Portillo on the incident.
“I was the only journalist in the area and the only one who criticized her version (...) she sued me.”
Portillo suspects that the legal harassment initiated by Duarte is directly linked to the publication of numerous articles that allegedly expose the mayor's involvement in the misappropriation of public funds.
So far this year, Duarte has received 2,775 million Guarani ($376,000). Councilor Darío Yegros of the ANR political party noted that there are no projects in Yataity that justify the expenditure of these funds. He further stated that a month ago, the Municipal Board requested, through a resolution, an account of the last quarter's spending, as well as the contracts signed for school lunches. However, the mayor has yet to respond.
Portillo has expressed concern about the implications of the ruling, not only for her own work but for the profession as a whole. "Now politicians are going to say 'I can also censor such a journalist'," she said.
The restraining order, which does not specify a distance, has left Portillo worried about potential encounters with Duarte. She fears any perceived violation of the order could lead to its revocation and her subsequent detention.
“Now politicians are going to say ‘I can also censor such a journalist’”
The case of Mabel Portillo is not an isolated incident in Paraguay. Journalists and community radio stations in the country frequently face threats, attacks, and even fatalities. These assaults, often orchestrated by criminal groups and local authorities, are exacerbated by a prevailing atmosphere of impunity. This context makes the defense of journalists like Ms. Portillo not only crucial for her individual rights but also for the broader fight against censorship and intimidation in journalism.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom urges the Paraguayan judiciary to reconsider its ruling and to exonerate Ms. Portillo from all unfounded accusations. We remain committed to monitoring her case as it progresses to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, understanding the significant implications it holds for press freedom in Paraguay and beyond. We strongly denounce the legal intimidation she has been targeted with and the court's ruling that seeks to suppress her freedom of the press. We urge the court to reevaluate its verdict and promptly exonerate the journalist from all accusations.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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