We are devastated by the killing of Chilean photojournalist Albertina Martínez

SANTIAGO, CHILE, November 26, 2019 — The Coalition For Women In Journalism is devastated to learn about the killing of Chilean photojournalist Albertina Martínez Burgos. We demand that Chilean authorities investigate the killing and punish her murderers immediately.

Our colleague was stabbed and beaten to death inside her apartment in Santiago, on Thursday, November 21. The prosecutor’s office is treating the death as a murder and has begun its investigation into the killing.

The 38-year-old journalist had been documenting the despotism against antiadministration protestors in the country, especially violence against women. Her photographs from the ongoing protests against Chile’s president Sebastián Piñera have been stolen.Albertina worked as alighting assistant for Mega — a Chilean TV channel — and was also a freelance photojournalist.

The brutal killing of our colleague leaves us concerned about the safety of other women journalists in Chile, especially those who have been reporting on the recent civil protests taking place across the country.

The ongoing mass demonstrations are a result of public outcry against inadequate wages, pensions, infrastructure and quality education systems. The government of Chile has been found to be involved in human rights violations through use of police and military power when dealing with protestors.

The work that Albertina — and other journalists like her — invested her time into is extremely important given the current situation in the country. It is abysmal that she was killed for only doing her job. She is the sixth journalist to be killed this year.

When killers get impunity, the risk increases for other journalists who are continuing the work. Women journalists should be able to do their jobs with safety and dignity. We urge authorities to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice immediately.

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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.

For more information please visit www.womeninjournalism.org.

Press Inquiries: press@womeninjournalism.org

Turkey & MENA Coordinator: damla@womeninjournalism.org.