Media Center

Background

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION PRESENTED TO THE IACHR BALANCE OF RECENT ACTIVITIES AND WORK PLAN

Washington, D.C., October 24, 2007 – On the occasion of the 130th period of sessions of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the OAS, which concluded on October 19, 2007, the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression presented a report about the activities of promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression that it has developed, in the past eighteen months, since the beginning of the mandate of the current Special Rapporteur, Ignacio J. Álvarez, on April of 2006.

In the report, which is attached to this press release, the Office of the Rapporteur emphasized that it initiated a process of daily monitoring of the situation of freedom of expression in the region, as well as the elaboration of quarterly reports about the situation of freedom of expression. The Office of the Special Rapporteur also emphasized that it has undergone and published special studies, including studies about incarcerated journalists and about the right of access to information. Moreover, it has increased significantly the number of merits reports projects that were submitted by the Office of the Special Rapporteur to the IACHR for consideration regarding individual cases where it is alleged that States have incurred in international responsibility for violating the right to freedom of expression.

Likewise, the report emphasized that there has been an increase in the number of individual petitions presented to the IACHR regarding topics of freedom of expression, in the petitions for precautionary measures, in the petitions for hearings, in the press releases issued by the Office of the Special Rapporteur, in the workshops for journalists carried out in several countries, and in the Office of the Special Rapporteur’s visits to different countries in the region.

Among the additional activities that have been planned for the upcoming months, the Office of the Special Rapporteur emphasized in this report that it is now in the final stage of the elaboration of a special study about the situation of the investigation of the murders of journalists that have occurred in the region during the 1995-2005 period and may be related to the journalistic activity. In addition, the Office of the Special Rapporteur informed the IACHR about advances in the special study that it is doing on the situation of freedom of expression in each of the countries of the region, with occasion of this year’s tenth anniversary of the creation of the Office of the Special Rapporteur.

In such report, the Special Rapporteur, Ignacio J. Álvarez, said that the Office of the Special Rapporteur will continue actively working on the defense and promotion of the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.



INTER - AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
COMISIÓN INTERAMERICANA DE DERECHOS HUMANOS
COMISSÃO INTERAMERICANA DE DIREITOS HUMANOS
COMMISSION INTERAMÉRICAINE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME


OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
1889 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 – Tel: (202) 458-3796 – Fax: (202) 458-6215


ANNEX

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ACTIVITIES REPORT PRESENTED TO THE IACHR – OCTOBER 2007

I have the honor of addressing you within the frame of the 130th special period of sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Civil Rights, to submit an updated report on the activities of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, as of April 2006, date on which I began to fulfill my position as Special Rapporteur.

I would like to begin by highlighting that with essentially eighteen months in office, we have accomplished exceptionally imperative and tangible results thanks to the various activities planned for the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression with respect to all the countries of the region. In this regard, besides prioritizing those countries that are undergoing special circumstances or that require urgent attention, we have also worked in the other countries, where the attention provided by the Office of the Special Rapporteur has been well received.

In summary, during the past eighteen months, the Special Rapporteur’s Office began a daily monitoring process in regards to the status of freedom of expression, and also began preparing quarterly reports about the status of freedom of expression in the region. Likewise, the Rapporteur’s Office has also conducted important studies (including the studies regarding imprisoned journalists, the trends on freedom of expression in the region, and the right of access to information). Regarding individual cases, the number of merits reports projects submitted to the IACHR was sextuplicated (vis-à-vis the number of projects prepared in previous years); there has also been an increase in the number of individual petitions submitted to the IACHR dealing with freedom of expression, requests for precautionary measures, requests for hearings, press releases issued by the Office of the Special Rapporteur, workshops for journalists carried out in several countries and in the visits by the Special Rapporteur’s Office to the countries of the region. Moreover, the 2006 Annual Report by the Special Rapporteur’s Office was prepared.

The aforementioned activities have been supported by a professional strategy for the dissemination of the actions by the Special Rapporteur’s Office, through the appointment of a journalist with broad experience on these matters. Furthermore, the Rapporteur’s Office substantially increased a database of the e-mail addresses of organizations and persons interested in freedom of expression, which currently comprises more than two thousand entries, not only from the region, but also from Europe and other regions. This same database is now also being used by the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR to disseminate the decisions adopted by the Commission.


Relationship with States (members of the OAS and observers). Political and financial support.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur maintains an excellent working relationship with the member States of the OAS and with observer countries. Within this framework, periodic meetings are held with Ambassadors and the decisions by the Rapporteur’s Office are punctually forwarded to them.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur has co-organized and participated in special sessions of the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the Permanent Council of the OAS, such as the “Special Session on the Right of Freedom of Thought and Expression” held in October 2005 by the Committee of Juridical and Political Affairs of the OAS .

Additionally, in August 2006, the Special Rapporteur visited several countries of Europe to promote the activities of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and to obtain financial cooperation. On this occasion, the Special Rapporteur met with governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

At the most recent General Assembly of the OAS (2007), various States gave their political support to the work carried out by the Special Rapporteur’s Office and several of them announced economic contributions to the Rapporteur’s Office. In most cases, it is not the first time that the Special Rapporteur’s Office receives contributions from those countries.

During 2007, we have received contributions from Italy, France, Sweden, Korea, Costa Rica and the United States of America.

Relations with NGOs, the media, journalists and other members of the civil society.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur also maintains cordial working relations with well-known international and national NGOs devoted to human rights, in general, and to freedom of press and expression, in particular. The Rapporteur’s Office also works with associations of journalists and with both traditional and alternative media outlets.

In regards to the academic sector, in these last months the working relationships have increased and we have received invitations to lecture at various universities of the region, with the view to further develop discussion and therefore knowledge while concurrently promoting the activities of the Special Rapporteur’s Office.

Status of the Staff at the Special Rapporteur’s Office.

Thanks to the increase in funds resulting from the financial contributions made to the Special Rapporteur’s Office, the staff has increased and its employment conditions have improved. In April 2006, when I took office, the staff consisted of one lawyer. Currently, the Office has three lawyers, a journalist and a part-time administrative assistant. We are trying to obtain new funds in order to be able to renew the contracts of the staff for 2008.

Daily Monitoring of the Status of Freedom of Expression.

This new activity is carried out by means of a chart that is updated every day, setting forth the date, country, nature of the events and the source of information. Such information, received from various sources, is analyzed on a daily basis in order to determine the proper course of action, which includes addressing letters to the States, issuing press releases, requesting precautionary measures before the IACHR, and including the information both in the quarterly report and in the Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur’s Office.


Quarterly Report on the status of freedom of expression in the region.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur has decided to establish this mechanism taking into account that the dynamics involved in issues pertaining to the right to freedom of thought and expression in the region call for answers from the Special Rapporteur’s Office that may not have the same impact, timeliness or effectiveness if they are made only in the annual report of the Special Rapporteur’s Office that is published around March of the year following the period covered by the annual report.

In the quarterly report, the Office of the Special Rapporteur not only summarizes the information received during the quarter through the daily monitoring activity referred to above, but also makes an assessment of the positive and negative aspects noted in the region during the term, both in general and on a country-by-country basis. These quarterly reports will become part of the Annual Report of the Office of the Special Rapporteur, at which time they will have the additional benefit of contributing to visualizing the trends regarding freedom of expression in each country, and in the region as a whole.

The quarterly reports of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression have contributed to providing a view of the status of freedom of expression both in the region and in the countries.

Press Releases.

The press releases of the Special Rapporteur’s Office are broadly disseminated and are one of its most important functions. The current communications policy at the Office of the Special Rapporteur in this regard is to issue specific press releases for positive or negative situations that call for immediate action (i.e., major legislative progress in any country, murder of journalists due to reasons that may be related to their press activities), and therefore, focusing on other matters in the quarterly and annual reports.

System of Individual Cases.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur has substantially increased the number of report projects on individual cases brought to the consideration of the IACHR. In this regard, the Rapporteur’s Office deems that individual cases, in addition to providing justice in the specific instance, enable calling the attention to exemplary situations that affect freedom of thought and expression, and give rise to important case law applicable by both the Inter-American Human Rights system and by the courts of the countries in the region.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur deems that the system for individual cases is an essential element within its integral strategy for promoting and defending the right to freedom of thought and expression in the region, through the various working mechanisms offered by the Inter-American Human Rights’ system.

In the practical application of this policy, the Special Rapporteur’s Office sextuplicated (vis-à-vis the same term in previous years) the number of merits reports projects dealing with the topic of freedom of expression brought to the consideration of the IACHR. In this regard, six exemplary cases were chosen from various countries, relating to events that affect the freedom of thought and expression in the region, including the assassinations and aggressions against journalists, criminal proceedings and penalties for defamation and offense and disproportionate civil penalties. The topics referred to in such cases and the dates on which they were submitted to the IACHR are the following:






Case Main Topic Date submitted to the IACHR
A Criminal prosecution and sentence for criticism against public official 2000
B Murder of journalist 2000
C Bomb attack against journalist 2003
D Civil penalty for reproducing information regarding public official 2004
E Criminal prosecution and sentence against human rights defense lawyer for statements about a public official 2000
F Aggressions against journalists and attacks against the main offices of a television channel 2002

Precautionary measures.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur has played an active role regarding the promotion of precautionary measures. Through its daily monitoring system, the Special Rapporteur’s Office identified several situations in which it actively promoted the adoption of precautionary measures by the IACHR.

Special Study on Impunity.

The Special Rapporteur’s Office deems that the impunity in the cases of aggressions and assassinations of journalists is one of the most serious problems affecting freedom of thought and expression in the region. For this reason, the Special Rapporteur’s Office decided to conduct a special study on the status of the investigations regarding the journalists murdered in the region over the last ten years for reasons that might be related to their journalistic activities.

To this end, information was gathered about the journalists that were murdered in the region between 1995 and 2005, and information was requested from the States, NGOs and the victims’ relatives regarding aspects such as: the existence of a sentence (first instance or final) against the material and intellectual perpetrators; the existence of persons under preventive arrest by reason of the murders; or the existence of proceedings for the investigation of the facts. The final product of this study will include a chart with the name of the journalists assassinated during this period due to reasons that may be related to the practice of their profession, the results of the investigations in each case, the percentage of cases in which there has been an effective punishment for the persons responsible, and the percentage of cases that reflect a situation of impunity.

Study about imprisoned journalists and judicial harassment.

In response to another problem regarding freedom of thought and expression that concerns the Special Rapporteur’s Office, which relates to both the imprisonment of journalists by reason of their journalism activities and the criminal proceedings against journalists related to offenses against the honor of public officials or public persons, a database of the journalists imprisoned in the region was created, and a press release 139/06 was issued requesting both the discharge of those journalists from prison and the ceasing of the judicial harassment against journalists in the region.

Study about trends on freedom of expression in the region

As of the last five annual reports of the Special Rapporteur’s Office, charts have been prepared on a country-by-country basis, analyzing the trends in each country with regard to topics such as assassinations, aggressions, threats, destruction of materials, judicial proceedings, legislation, community radio broadcasting and access to information.

Special study on the right of access to information

In August 2007, the Special Rapporteur’s Office published the Special Study on the Right of Access to Information. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of the decision of the Inter-American Court for Human Rights in the case of Claude Reyes et al. and its role as reference for the States regarding how to progress on this matter. This study contains a review of the regional and international precedents related to this topic, sets forth the principles that must be contained in a juridical system, and evaluates the conditions that must be taken into account when establishing a system of restrictions over such right. The publication of this special study was broadly disseminated in the press of the continent.

2006 Annual Report.

The 2006 Annual Report of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression had a broad impact in the region. The Rapporteur’s Office was invited to make a public presentation of this report in Peru, with the attendance and comments by representatives of the most relevant NGOs and mass media of Peru.

Work on a country-by-country basis.

Following is a summary of the specific work performed during the last eighteen months by the Office of the Special Rapporteur regarding the countries of the region. This summary does not include the quarterly reports, or the reports and releases related to specific situations in each country, or the special studies that have dealt with the status of freedom of expression in each country.

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haití, San Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

In June 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the “Caribbean Journalism Seminar” held at the seat of the Organization of American States at the initiative of the Permanent Mission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In June 2007, within the frame of the Second Meeting of Government Spokespersons of the Member States of the OAS, the Special Rapporteur presented to the spokespersons of the Presidents and First Ministers of the Caribbean countries its project to make promotional visits of the Office of the Special Rapporteur to all the countries in the Caribbean. The government spokespersons of the Caribbean made a joint statement stating their full support and welcoming the initiative set forth by the Special Rapporteur’s Office.

On September, 2007 the Office of the Special Rapporteur made a working visit to Haiti, and has obtained funds to support the next visits to the countries in the Caribbean.

Argentina

In April 2006, the Office of the Special Rapporteur participated in a hearing within the frame of the XXVIII Special Sessions of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. At that time, the Special Rapporteur’s Office advised the Inter-American Court on Human Rights on the substance and eventual reparations and court expenses regarding the case of Marcel Claude Reyes.

In November 2006, the IACHR approved the draft of the merits report prepared by the Office of the Special Rapporteur on case 12.450, related to the criminal proceeding and sentence against journalist Eduardo Kimel for having published criticisms about a public official. On April 10, 2007, the case was submitted to the Inter-American Court for Human Rights. This is the first draft of a merits report about a case in Argentina prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office in its ten years of existence, and the first case of Argentina regarding freedom of expression that is heard by the Inter-American Court.

In March 2007, the IACHR approved the draft of the report on admissibility prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office regarding petition 415/03, in connection with three former judges of the province of San Luis that were removed from office after confronting the Executive Branch of the Provincial Government.

Bolivia

In July 2007, the Special Rapporteur traveled to Bolivia to give lectures and meet with different sectors, both in La Paz and in Sucre.

Brazil

In September 2006, the Special Rapporteur’s Office submitted a paper to the “First Inter-American Congress on Education in Human Rights” that was held in the city of Brasilia, organized by the Special Secretariat for Human Rights of the Office of the President of the Republic of Brazil.

In November 2006, the IACHR approved the draft of the merits report prepared by the Office of the Special Rapporteur about a case related to freedom of expression. This is the first draft of mertis report about a case in Brazil prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office in its ten-year history.

Canada

The Special Rapporteur’s Office has had informal meetings with the Permanent Mission of Canada to the OAS, and has spoken about the possibility of a promotional visit by the Rapporteur’s Office to Canada.

Colombia

In May 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the International Conference about the Impunity of Crimes against Journalists, held in Medellin and organized by the UNESCO.

In October 2007, the Office of the Special Rapporteur participated in a hearing at the XXXI Extraordinary Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. The Office of the Special Rapporteur adviced the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the case Eduardo Kimel v. Argentina.

Chile

In March 2007, the IACHR approved the draft of the report on admissibility prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office regarding petition 232-05, related to the criminal proceeding and penalty against Mr. Carlos Barahona Bray for making statements in which he said that a State official was allegedly involved in the perpetration of unlawful actions.

In May 2007, the Special Rapporteur made a visit to Chile, in order to give lectures at Fundación Chile 21 and NGO Proacceso, and to meet with local mass media.




Costa Rica

On November 15, 2006, the Special Rapporteur attended the Hemispheric Conference on Journalism Values in the 21st Century, organized by the Inter American Press Association and held in San José, Costa Rica.

From November 26 - 29, 2006, the Office of the Special Rapporteur made a work visit to Costa Rica. During its visit, the Rapporteur’s Office met with representatives of the State, members of the Journalists’ Association of Costa Rica, civil organizations and representatives of the local media. At the end of this visit, the Special Rapporteur’s Office issued a press release with observations on the status of freedom of expression in Costa Rica and its recommendations on this matter.

Cuba

Various statements have been issued regarding the status of the right to freedom of expression in Cuba. Among those, a study was conducted and a press release was issued about the legal and factual situation regarding the total limitation on the people’s access to the Internet in Cuba

Ecuador

On May 31, 2006, the Special Rapporteur made a work visit to Ecuador, where he met with representatives of the State, civil society, academicians and the media. At the end of his visit, the Special Rapporteur issued a press release with his conclusions and recommendations.

In November 2006, the IACHR approved the draft of a merits report prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s office on a case related to freedom of expression. This is the first draft of a merits report about a case in Ecuador prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office in its ten-year history.

El Salvador

In September 2007 two workshops for Salvadorian journalists were conducted on the use of the Inter American System of Rights to Freedom of Expression. One was to be conducted in the interior of the country and another one in the capital. These workshops were organized jointly with the Human Rights Institute of Universidad Centroamericana (IDHUCA).

United States

On November 18, 2006, the Special Rapporteur took part as lecturer in the 4th Hispanic American Press Congress held in the seat of Columbia University in New York.

On January 18, 2007, the Special Rapporteur made a presentation within the frame of a conference of freedom of press in Latin America and the Caribbean, at the seat of the U.S. Congress, sponsored by members of the Congress.

On September 27, 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the seminar “Press Freedom Monitoring in Latin America” held in Austin, Texas, and organized by the Knight Center of Journalism.

During the first semester of 2007, the Special Rapporteur gave lectures at the American University, George Washington University and Notre Dame University.

Guatemala

In July 2006, the Special Rapporteur traveled to Guatemala within the frame of the 129º Special Period of Sessions of the IACHR. The Special Rapporteur took part in the public hearing about the “Status of Community Media in Central America.” The Special Rapporteur also participated as a lecturer in the seminar “Plural Mass Media... Prosperous Societies” organized by the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC). Additionally, the Special Rapporteur met with representatives of the Human Rights Committee of the Congress of the Republic and organizations of the civil society.

On September 13, 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated as member of the panel in the seminar "Challenges for Contemporary Journalism," organized by the Instance of Presidents of Press Entities of Guatemala.

In May 2007, the Office of the Special Rapporteur conducted two training workshops for journalists, one in the capital and another in the interior, about the use of the Inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Honduras

In December 2006, the Special Rapporteur’s Office promoted the issuance of precautionary measures by the IACHR in order to protect the life and personal integrity of Dina Metabel Meza Elvir, Robert Marín García Martínez, Claudia Dinora Mendoza, Carlos Alberto Hernández Martínez and Mirtha Yanina Romero, members of the “Association for a More Just Society”” (ASJ).

In May 2007, The Special Rapporteur’s Office conducted two training workshops for journalists, one in the capital and another in the interior, about the use of the Inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights.
.
Mexico

From May 4 - 5, 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated as lecturer at the international seminar “Human Rights and Freedom of Expression in Mexico,” held in the city of San Luís Potosí and organized by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico and the Mexico-European Commission Program for Cooperation on Human Rights.

In September 2006, the Office of the Rapporteur promoted the issuance of precautionary measures by the IACHR to protect the life, physical integrity and freedom of expression of the workers of the community radio station “La Voladora”.

From September 25 - 29, 2006, the Special Rapporteur was invited by the Supreme Court of Justice to participate as lecturer in the “First International Seminar on Access to Judicial Information and New Technologies.”

On September 30, 2006, the Special Rapporteur made a presentation on the activities of the Special Rapporteur’s Office within the frame of the 62nd Annual Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association, held in Mexico City.

From December 3 - 6, 2006, the Special Rapporteur’s Office traveled to Mexico to conduct two training workshops for journalists (one in the capital and another in the interior) regarding the use of the Inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights.

In February 2007, the Special Rapporteur’s Office promoted the issuance by the IACHR of precautionary measures to protect the life, physical integrity and freedom of expression of community radio station “Calenda.”

During May 30 - 31, 2007, the Rapporteur’s Office participated in the Seminar “The right to defend human rights and freedom of expression,” organized by NGOs and journalists’ associations of Mexico.

On June 28 - 29, 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the seminar “Mexico before the Inter-American System for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” in the Federal District of Mexico. The seminar was organized by the Universidad Iberoamericana, the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights and sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

On August 18, 2007, the Special Rapporteur gave a class at the Special Course for Journalists on Human Rights at Universidad Iberoamericana.

In September 2007, the Special Rapporteur made a presentation about international standards on broadcast regulations, in a seminar organized by a Commission from the Honorable Mexican Congress and non governmental organizations.

Nicaragua

In December 11, 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated as member of the panel in a video conference about access to information, co-organized by the Group that Promotes the Law on Access to Information of Nicaragua and the World Bank.

Panama

In May 2006, the Special Rapporteur made a work visit to Panama in order to observe the status of the right to freedom of expression in that country. During his visit, the Rapporteur met with representatives of the State, organizations of the civil society, academic sectors, journalists and the media. The Special Rapporteur also participated as lecturer in a seminar commemorating the World Day of Freedom of Press organized by the UNESCO and the Latin American Parliament.

In November 2006, the IACHR approved the merits report prepared by the Rapporteur’s Office on a case related to the interception, recording and dissemination of a telephone conversation of Mr. Santander Tristán Donoso and the subsequent opening of a criminal proceeding and sentence for crimes against honor by an official of the State, in retaliation for the denunciation of Mr. Tristán Donoso about these events. The case was presented to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. This is the first draft of merits report on a case in Panama prepared by the Special Rapporteur’s Office in its ten-year history, and the first case of Panama regarding freedom of expression that is heard by the Inter-American Court

Paraguay

In April 2006, the Special Rapporteur visited Paraguay and held meetings with NGOs and mass media.

In September 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the 129th period of sessions of the IACHR held in Paraguay. On this occasion, he met with NGOs and will give a lecture at the Universidad Nacional about community broadcasting.

Peru

In April 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the 19th Session of the Peru Chair organized by Universidad de San Martín de Porres in Lima. On this occasion, the Rapporteur met with representatives of the academies, and mass media of Peru, and publicly submitted the 2006 Annual Report of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.




Dominican Republic

In June 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated in a meeting with NGOs and with journalists, organized by the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights.

In September 2006, the Special Rapporteur gave a lecture within the frame of the “First International Cycle of Conferences” organized by the Center for Freedom of Expression of the Dominican Republic.

Uruguay

From December 13 - 16, 2006, the Office of the Special Rapporteur made a work visit to Uruguay. During its visit, the delegation of the Rapporteur’s Office met with representatives of the State, civil society organizations, academics, representatives of the mass media and journalists. At the end of the visit, the Special Rapporteur’s Office issued a press release with observations about the status of freedom of expression in Uruguay and its recommendations on this matter.

On June 14 -15, 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated and gave a lecture in the Second Meeting of Government Spokespersons of the Member States of the OAS, in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Venezuela

In November 2006, the IACHR approved the merits report prepared by the Rapporteur’s Office on a case related to attacks to the headquarters of a TV channel, aggressions to journalists of the same TV channel and indirect restrictions to freedom of expression. On April 20, 2007, the case was submitted to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. This is the first draft of a merits report on a case of Venezuela prepared by the Office of the Special Rapporteur in its ten-year history.

Through its press releases and interviews with national and international media, the Rapporteur’s Office has made open its concern about the status of freedom of expression in Venezuela, including, for example, various statements regarding the case of RCTV.

Planned activities

Among the activities planned for the next months, as we mentioned in the activities’ report presented in the 129 Period of Sessions of the IACHR, the Special Rapporteur’s Office is in the final stage of preparing the study about the status of investigations of assassinations of journalists in the region during the term 1995-2005. Most of the States have answered the questionnaire sent to them.

With regard to the special study we are conducting about the status of freedom of expression in the region (on a country-by-country basis), on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Office of the Special Rapporteur this year, we have the pleasure of advising you that several States and NGOs have answered the questionnaire that was sent to them. The staff of the Special Rapporteur’s Office is presently engaged in this project, which we plan to complete before the end of the year.

Finally, I would like to express again my gratitude for the trust the IACHR conferred upon me to accomplish such delicates functions. I would also like to mention that you can count on the fact that we will keep working hard in favor of the fundamental human right to freedom of thought and expression. I would also like to highlight that we are going to continue to fulfill the mandates that we have received from the IACHR with independence and autonomy, not only in relation to States members of the OAS, but also in respect to Non Governmental Organizations and others actors of civil society.

I remain cordially at your disposal for any additional information or expansion that you may requires in connection with the contents of this memorandum, and thank you for your kind attention.

Reference: REL-181/07