Freedom of Expression
Press Release R147/19
Guatemala: Freedom of expression and the media’s
role are crucial to guaranteeing free and transparent
elections this June 16
June 12, 2019
Washington, D.C. / Guatemala City – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (The Office of the Special Rapporteur) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala (OHCHR-Guatemala) express their concern over the recent attacks against the media and independent journalists, which have increased as the presidential, council, and municipal elections to be held on June 16 approach.
The bodies urge the State of Guatemala to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information so that people can enforce their right to participate in the ongoing electoral process.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also adheres to the request. Commissioner Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitino, IACHR President and Rapporteur for Guatemala, urges the authorities to insure the participation of all members of the electoral process, as well as to guarantee people’s political rights and fundamental freedoms during the upcoming Election Day.
Pursuant to its mandate, OHCHR-Guatemala has documented cases of stigmatization, slander, account-hacking, and criminalization against journalists through social media and candidates’ communications.
"The State of Guatemala shall guarantee a safe environment and the appropriate conditions so that the media and journalists can carry out their duties regardless of the country’s electoral context. Furthermore, the State shall investigate and punish threats and attacks against them," said IACHR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Edison Lanza.
The Office of Special Rapporteur and OHCHR-Guatemala recall that both journalists and the media play a key role throughout the electoral process and that freedom of expression is of paramount importance during political campaigns and electoral processes. "It is important to guarantee candidates’ equitable and non-discriminatory access to the media so that they spread their ideas and proposals," said the Office and OHCHR-Guatemala.
In this context, the Office of the Special Rapporteur and OHCHR Guatemala condemn the usage of hate, discriminatory, or sexist speech against people or social groups, including speeches against candidates, journalists, and the media, as well as messages inciting violence, which seriously violate freedom of expression and participation in the electoral process.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur and OHCHR Guatemala urge the State of Guatemala to guarantee freedom of expression and information in plural means of communication, without any kind of prior censorship, illegal limitations, pressure, or harassment.
Furthermore, they urge judicial authorities to refrain from ordering restrictive or censorship measures based on unsuitable judicial procedures and that might affect means of communication during the coverage of candidacies. These practices are not in line with the prohibition of prior censorship established in the Constitution and Inter-American and international standards.
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The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) with the aim of encouraging the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the hemisphere, given its fundamental role in consolidating and developing the democratic system.
The mandate of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala (OHCHR-Guatemala) is to observe and report on the human rights situation in the country in order to advise authorities on the elaboration and implementation of policies, programs, and measures promoting and protecting human rights in Guatemala.
R147/19