Freedom of Expression
Press release R225/22
Strengthening freedom of expression and safety of journalists in the Americas
October 05, 2022
Washington D.C. - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have initiated a 6-month project that aims to strengthen the participation of different actors in the Americas during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on issues related to freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and access to information.
SRFOE has recorded in recent years an accelerated increase in aggressions, intimidation, and acts of violence against the press in the Americas, which indicates that promoting successful collaboration between the Inter-American Human Rights System and the UN is essential to ensure that the different regional protection mechanisms work together to defend and promote freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and access to information.
"Efforts for the promotion and protection of freedom of expression at the regional and universal levels must be fully harmonized. This partnership between SRFOE and UNESCO aims to build that bridge and ensure that human rights mechanisms are successfully coordinated on the ground." Pedro Vaca, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR, highlighted.
SRFOE welcomes the launch of this project funded by UNESCO's Multi-donor Program on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, and notes that it seeks to have a multi-sectoral perspective that contributes to facilitate the processes of participation and better use of the UPR by various organizations in the region of the Americas working for freedom of expression, safety of journalists and access to information.
"In a context of increasing attacks on journalists and freedom of expression globally, enhancing engagement with and of regional human rights mechanisms is one way to ensure that all regions work towards an enabling environment for full respect for freedom of expression with one voice." Mentioned, Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO.
In the first phase of the project, SRFOE will collect information on systems and challenges presented by various actors in the Americas during its processes of gathering and analyzing information on freedom of expression, safety of journalists and access to information, for submissions to the UPR.
Subsequently, the results will be studied to strengthen stakeholders and identify their "best practices" and "recurring challenges" in drafting inputs for UPR submissions.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to stimulate the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.
R225/22