Freedom of Expression

Press Release 131/05

THE THREE INTERNATIONAL DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION APPROVED A JOINT DECLARATION

 

Washington, D.C., December 22, 2005. The three international defenders and promoters of Freedom of Expression approved this week a joint declaration regarding the right to freedom of expression in the context of the fight against terrorism. The declaration also is related to Internet and the right to freedom of expression.

This year, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo; the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Mr. Miklos Haraszti; and the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States (OAS), Mr Eduardo Bertoni, with the assistance of ARTICLE 19 - Global Campaign for Free Expression, issued the joint statement that adds up to former declarations issued by these offices since 1999.

The Declaration recognised the growing importance of the Internet as a vehicle for facilitating in practice the free flow of information and ideas that lies at the heart of the right to freedom of expression; the declaration stressed the need for strict application of international guarantees of freedom of expression to the Internet. Furthermore, the declaration condemned the attempts by some governments to use the need to combat terrorism as a justification for adopting laws that unduly restrict freedom of expression.

The full text of the Declaration can be found at the website of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the OAS: www.cidh.org/relatoria/.