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OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR AND GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SIGN AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FREE EXPRESSION

  January 25, 2008

Washington, D.C., January 25, 2008—The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for contributing (CAN) $194,928 from its Glyn Berry Program towards the “Freedom of Expression in the Americas Project”. The main purpose of the initiative is to support and strengthen the Office of the Special Rapporteur’s activities in promoting and defending the right to freedom of expression in the region.

Among other goals, the project seeks to strengthen support of freedom of expression issues within the IACHR individual case system; increase country visits by the Office of the Special Rapporteur; and facilitate the preparation of special studies on specific topics related to freedom of expression in the region.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression appreciates the Canadian government’s important contribution and stresses its satisfaction over this demonstration of Canada’s financial and political support of its activities to promote freedom of expression in the Americas. This contribution, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Office of the Special Rapporteur, strengthens this institution significantly and allows it to ensure and consolidate its continued growth.

Reference: REL.-184