The rapporteur and the former rapporteurs for freedom of expression of the OAS express deep concern over the violence against and murder of journalists 25 years after the creation of the Rapporteurship.

Related links

Contact info

Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression

[email protected]

Distribution List

Subscribe to our distribution list

We, the former Special Rapporteurs for Freedom of Expression, Santiago Canton, Eduardo Andres Bertoni, Ignacio Alvarez, Catalina Botero, and Edison Lanza, along with current Special Rapporteur Pedro Vaca, gathered at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C.,

  1. Celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE);
  2. Reaffirm that the right to freedom of expression and democracy are inalienable rights of the peoples of the Americas, and that the close link between the two must be respected and guaranteed by the States of the OAS.
  3. Express our deep concern over the escalation of violence and the continuous attacks on and murder of journalists in the region, which undermines democracy.
  4. Reiterate the fundamental importance of the SRFOE in strengthening democracy and freedom of expression in the region.
  5. Highlight the special and permanent nature of the SRFOE and its independence as an institutional achievement that has made it possible to monitor and report on, from a technical perspective, the work of the organs of the Inter-American system and the States on the observance of the right to freedom of expression with the vigor that the subject matter demands.
  6. Urge the States and civil society of the Americas to strengthen the mandate and independence of the SRFOE and to renew their commitment to freedom of expression, access to information, and transparency as cornerstones of democratic society.
  7. Recall that, created out of the concern of the States over violence against journalists, the SRFOE has played and continues to play a leading role in the region and within the IACHR, defining standards and principles that highlight the crosscutting nature of this right. The SRFOE outlines the technical standards that are then adopted by the highest regional and local courts on the subject.
  8. Stress that during our mandates we have worked with journalists, civil society, State representatives, the private sector, and academia, using reports, visits and monitoring, cases, and precautionary measures to broaden the scope of freedom of expression in the States of the region.
  9. Recall that during this time, laws have been repealed and constitutional articles violating freedom of expression have been amended; institutions have been created to fight against impunity for crimes against journalists; standards have been developed; institutions have been created to ensure transparency and access to information; and tools and public policies have been generated to guarantee the exercise of these rights in both their individual and collective dimensions.
  10. Express our serious concern that, alarmingly and despite the progress made, the main challenges that led to the creation of the SRFOE, which seemed to have been overcome, persist and have even intensified.
  11. Observe that the region has seen a marked deterioration in freedom of expression and an exponential escalation of violence and intolerance, especially against journalists, human rights defenders, and dissidents.
  12. Underscore that throughout our terms of office we have documented 517 murders and innumerable attacks of various kinds. The vast majority remain unpunished.
  13. Note countless other cases of journalists imprisoned and forced into exile; as well as threats, stigmatization, smear campaigns, and judicial persecutions against journalists and activists, which, rather than being confronted by the States with a solid commitment to finding solutions, is often exacerbated by the State and its public servants.
  14. Express the need to continue working with the SRFOE to meet new challenges brought about by technological development.
  15. Condemn violence against dissident speech, human rights defenders, journalists, and media workers that contributes to an alarming deterioration of democracy.
  16. Call upon States, civil society, media outlets, and journalists to renew their commitment to democracy and freedom of expression and to continue cooperating with the SRFOE to combat violence and end impunity.