Updated August 14, 2004

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RFPI Responds to University for Peace press release of 11/3/03
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The University for Peace has shut down RFPI by cutting its water, electricity and telephone services.  There are plans to relocate and rebuild as soon as possible.  The estimated time to resume the shortwave broadcast is 6 months to 1 year. Much will depend on the financial resources available to Radio For Peace International. This is a critical moment in the many chapters of RFPI's existence and we truly need your financial support now. With that we'll be able to complete the construction of the new and vastly improved and expanded radio coverage, including the
launching of an internet radio webcast in February 2004.

If you can possibly help with your financial contribution, please click on Pay Pal icon above.
New developments on reconstruction efforts as well as efforts to rectify the injustice by Upeace against RFPI and its listeners can be found at the saverfpi.org website.

RFPI extends its deepest gratitude to the thousands who have supported the station over the
years and will continue to do so as we rebuild the dream.  Thank you.

Checkout the "Save RFPI" website and help in the struggle

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Update October 14th

Update August 19th

Update August 11th

Keep Up The Pressure!!!

Concerned Listener Comments from Around the World

Latest from our studios - August 4th!

Sign the PETITION

Who you can contact to help RFPI stay on the air

University for Peace posts armed guards outside RFPI's building

Press Release July 31st

World of Radio Report on RFPI crisis (mp3 Audio)

Link to a Democracy Now! story on the lockout (RealAudio required)

Link to Free Speech Radio News story from July 28 (RealAudio required)

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On Monday, July 21, 2003 a University for Peace representative delivered an eviction notice to Radio For Peace International (RFPI), which has been operating since 1987 by mutual agreement on the University campus in El Rodeo, Costa Rica. The Radio station’s access gate was locked with chains and patrolled by armed guards employed by the University for Peace. In addition, the radio station was advised to vacate its facilities in two weeks.  

Radio For Peace employees made a plea to the armed guards to allow them to leave the locked premises on Monday night, although some have not left the premises since the eviction notice.

According to General Manager James Latham, the unexplained and legally questionable decision to evict RFPI endangers the livelihood of the station’s employees, and also threatens to silence the voice of peace on international airwaves.  “This is more than an eviction, this is about the right to free speech,” says James Latham, Chief Executive Officer of Radio for Peace International.  “What is most shocking and sad is that this action comes from an international peace organization.”  

University for Peace co-founder, former Costa Rican  President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, invited RFPI in 1985 to build and manage its own office and studios on the university’s Costa Rica campus. Consequently RFPI constructed studios and transmitters, and has been broadcasting messages of peace and social justice as well as daily United Nations  programming.  RFPI is the only listener-supported shortwave radio station in the world.  

Latham says that Monday’s eviction notice represents poor judgment on behalf of the new administration a University for Peace, a United Nations-mandated university established in 1980. “RFPI has always shown goodwill toward the University for Peace and has worked harmoniously with the previous four administrations. Our shared goals to work toward ending war is what brought our two organizations together, and in the world today there is still much work to be done.  Instead of focusing on how to eliminate a fellow peace organization, we need to channel our energy toward eliminating war, poverty and hunger.”   

To prevent the silencing of this important voice, we the Committee for the Defense of Radio For Peace International encourages you to write UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in support of the radio station at: annan@un.org  or sg@un.org, and/or to leave a message of concern with the Public Inquiries office at 212.963.4475.  A sample letter can be found here.  Please forward a copy of any response you receive to RFPI via e-mail or post to: Radio For Peace International, PO Box 75, Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica.

"We say Peace and Justice, they say Peace and Security"  - James Latham, RFPI General Manager.  Why is the University for Peace trying to evict RFPI?  Visit our fact sheet.                  

This is your radio station and the only one of its kind in the world.  Let's make sure that it survives!!

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