The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), which is holding its mid-year meeting in Aruba since last Friday, condemned the "actions of President Hugo Chávez's government against freedom of expression" and steps to "eliminate" news media in Venezuela.

In a statement released on Monday, the IAPA agreed to "denounce and condemn the actions of President Chávez's government against freedom of expression and the right to information."

The press association, which groups 1,300 hemispheric publications, also denounced the Venezuelan government for "the measures adopted to eliminate independent media through the closure of radio stations and (TV network) RCTVI," AFP reported.

It also regretted "the economic sabotage against the press" and the "attacks and judicial persecution against journalists."

According to the statement, the IAPA urged the Organization of American States (OAS) to "authorize the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to pay a visit to Venezuela."

The Venezuelan government has not authorized the visit of any IACHR commission since 2002, claiming that Executive Secretary Santiago Cantón had talks with the de facto government that took the power shortly after a failed coup against President Chávez in 2002.

Source: ElUniversal.com