Freedom of Expression

Press Release R44-09

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A society that is not well informed is not a society that is truly free.

Advisory Opinion OC-5/85, IACtHR

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PRESS RELEASE

 

Nº R44/09

 

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

CONDEMNS LIMITATIONS TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HONDURAS

 

 

Washington, D.C, June 29, 2009 – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights strongly condemns the limitations to the freedom of expression in Honduras, after the coup d’ Etat and the interruption of the constitutional order in that country. The Office of the Special Rapporteur calls for the absolute respect of the right to freedom of expression, which is in the base of the Inter-American system.

 

The Office of the Special Rapporteur received information that since June 28, 2009, in Honduras, local and international media have been suffering severe limitations to freely accomplish their work. According to the information received, open broadcast media outlets have been closed; while other cable channels, such us Telesur and CNN en Español and other radios such as Globo, were banned from broadcasting. Moreover, energy was cut off, which prevented television and radio from broadcasting, as well as the access to the Internet. According to the information received, many reporters were attacked while they were working, and others were arbitrarily retained; such was the case of Adriana Sivori, Rudy Quiróz, and other members of Telesur team. Cartoonist Allan McDonald would have been detained with his 17-month-old daughter. Finally, it was informed that many journalists would have been receiving threats in order to make them stop reporting.

 

The Office of the Special Rapporteur demands the absolute respect of the right to freedom of expression, and also demands that journalists and media outlets should have all the guarantees to freely and secure perform their work. In this regard, article 13 from the American Convention on Human Rights says that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice". The exercise of the right shall not be subject to prior censorship or may not be restricted by indirect methods or means.

 

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur or the advances cited herein: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria