Freedom of Expression
Press Release 78/03
THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF THE IACHR AND THE JUSTICE STUDIES CENTER OF THE AMERICAS (JSCA) RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE FORD FOUNDATION TO DEVELOP A JOINT PROJECT ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Justice Studies Center for the Americas (JSCA) have received financial support from the Ford Foundation for the development of a joint study to create tools and strategies to improve access to judicial information in different countries of the American hemisphere. Both agencies of the Organization of American States recognize the importance that access to information and transparency of government acts have in the strengthening and stability of democracy.
Eduardo Bertoni, as Special Rapporteur, and Juan Enrique Vargas, as Executive Director of the JSCA, agreed on the fact that one of the main objectives of the study is to increase the incentives for external control on the operation of judicial administration.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur and the JSCA are offices financed by voluntary contributions from the member States, international cooperation agencies, and private foundations. Both offices would like to thank the Program on Human Rights and Citizenship of the Ford Foundation for its donation, because it contributes directly to the strengthening of democracy in the hemisphere.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is a permanent office, with functional autonomy and its own budget. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights created the Office in exercise of its authority and competence. The Office operates within the legal framework of the Commission. In creating the Office of the Special Rapporteur, the Commission sought to stimulate awareness of the importance of full observance of freedom of expression and information in the hemisphere, given the fundamental role it plays in the consolidation and advancement of the democratic system and in ensuring that other human rights are protected and violations reported. In addition, the Commission charged the Office with making specific recommendations on freedom of expression and information to member States to promote adoption of progressive measures to strengthen this right, preparing specialized reports and studies on the subject, and responding quickly to petitions and other reports of violations of this right in an OAS member State.
The Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) is an autonomous inter-governmental entity created by the Organization of American States in compliance with the mandates of the Second Summit of the Heads of State and Presidents of the Americas. Its members are the 34 American nations that are active members of the OAS. It is directed by a Board of Directors comprised of seven distinguished regional experts, who were personally selected. The mission of the JSCA is to promote the modernization of the region’s judicial systems, with the aim of achieving the highest standards of respect for and promotion of human rights and greater efficiency in the functioning of the judiciary. In order to comply with that mission, the JSCA has proposed the creation and support of a regional community committed to the values of the rule of law, technically well-prepared to design and implement public policies in the area, and with close ties among its members, allowing for continuous networking to strengthen their actions and to ensure that they mutually benefit from the experiences gained.
June 5, 2003
Washington, D.C.