Brazilian State representatives approve compensation to murdered journalist´s family

The Brazilian State of Bahia will financially compensate the journalist Manoel Leal de Oliveira´s family for his murder in 1998. The State follows a recommendation made by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to repair the death of the journalist for not having guaranteed his safety.

Oliveira was murdered January, 14, 1998, in the city of Itabuna, soon after publishing a series of articles denouncing embezzlement of money and persecution against political enemies during the administration of the mayor Fernando Gomes.

In accordance to a law project approved by the Legislative Assembly, the compensation is due to be paid to Oliveira´s widow and children in April 7th, Journalist´s day. The State´s governor, Jaques Wagner still has to sanction the project.

The compensation was recommended by the IACHR, an independent organ from the Organization of American States, that declared the State of Bahia omissive in providing safety and proper investigations.

Oliveira was founder and editor of the newspaper A Região and received six shots while opening his house´s door. Until the present moment, only one of the suspects, the police officer Mozart Brasil, has been punished.