Freedom of Expression

1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR

FOR THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 1998

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INTRODUCTION

 

CHAPTER I

 

A.                  Background of the Creation of the Office of the Special Rapporteur

B.                  Plan of Work for the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression 

1.                   General  Report and Specific Reports  

2.                   Hemispheric Network for the Protection of Freedom of Expression 

3.                   Country Visits  

4.                   Promotion  

C.                  Activities of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression 

1.                   Promotion and Dissemination of Information  

2.                   Country Visits  

3.                   Hemispheric Network for the Protection of Freedom of Expression 

 

CHAPTER II -Freedom of Expression in the Context of the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights

 

A.                  Legal Framework

B.                  Summary of the Jurisprudence Related to Freedom of Expression in the Inter-American System of Human Rights

1.                   Characteristics and Scope of Freedom of Expression  

2.                   The Role of the Mass Media in Freedom of Expression  

3.                   Restrictions on Freedom of Expression                                                            

4.                   Freedom of Expression, Prior Censorship and Ultimate Responsibility 

5.                   Freedom of Expression and the Rights of All Persons to Honor and Dignity 

6.                   Freedom of Expression and Democracy  

7.                   Journalism and Freedom of Expression  

C.                  Cases Concerning Freedom of Expression Pending within the Inter-American System of Human Rights 

 

CHAPTER III - Evaluation of the Freedom of Expression in the Hemisphere

  

CHAPTER IV –Laws on Contempt, Compulsory Membership in a Professional Association, and  Murder of Journalists

 

A.                  Contempt Laws (Leyes de Desacato)  

B.                  Laws of Compulsory Membership in a Professional Association 

1.                   Recent cases from the jurisprudence of the Inter-American system regarding compulsory membership within the Member States 

C.                  Murder of Journalists  

1.                   Cases concerning the murder of journalists in this hemisphere during 1998 

CHAPTER V - Final Considerations and Recommendations

 

ANNEXES

 

1.                   Advisory Opinion No. 5/85 from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights concerning Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism 

2.                   Advisory Opinion No. 7/86 from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights concerning the Enforceability of the Right to Reply or Correction 

3.                   Verbitsky v. Argentina case  

4.                   American Convention on Human Rights  

5.                   Press Releases  

A.                  Peru  

B.                  Cuba  

C.                  Colombia  

D.                  Chile

 E.                  Argentina

 

6. Declaration of Chapultepec