Freedom of Expression
Press Release R 2/15
PRESS RELEASE
THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL
RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF
THE ATTACK ON SATIRICAL MAGAZINE CHARLIE HEBDO
R 2/15
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) joins the international condemnation on the horrible murder of 12 persons during the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, based in Paris, France. Among the victims were journalists and media workers of the magazine.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur expresses its solidarity with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović and joins UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, in his condemnation of the attack expressed today.
As affirmed by
international human rights bodies, satirical expressions, as forms of speech
that may be shocking or unsettling to any sector of the population, are
protected by the right to freedom of expression. This is required by the
pluralism, tolerance and spirit of openness without which a democratic society
cannot exist.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of
Expression was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
to encourage the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in
the hemisphere, given the fundamental role this right plays in consolidating
and developing the democratic system.