(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: AFRICAN COMMISSION – RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION ON FREE EXPRESSION A strong declaration resulted from the working seminar on Freedom of Expression and the African Charter, held under the auspices of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in November 2000 (1). Seminar participants […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
AFRICAN COMMISSION – RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION ON FREE EXPRESSION
A strong declaration resulted from the working seminar on Freedom of Expression and the African Charter, held under the auspices of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in November 2000 (1). Seminar participants made a series of concrete recommendations to set in motion effective protection for the right to freedom of expression guaranteed in Article 9 of the African Charter (2).
Seminar participants expressed concern that, at present, Article 9 of the African Charter offers only weak protection of the right to freedom of expression, and that the African Commission has so far only given limited attention in its activities to this right. Their statement underscores the need for the African Commission to develop coherent principles to inform the application and guide the development of Article 9, and to institute appropriate mechanisms to monitor the observance of the right to freedom of expression and investigate violations throughout the continent.
Among the specific recommendations which the seminar made are that:
* The Commission adopt a Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression;
* The Commission encourages State Parties to the African Charter to abide by their obligations under Article 9 and apply these principles in order to bring their national laws on freedom of expression in line with international human rights standards;
* an office of Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression or other appropriate mechanism is established to assist The Commission to review and monitor adherence to freedom of expression standards in general and the Declaration in particular, and to investigate violations and make
appropriate recommendations to The Commission.
* National Human Rights Institutions should strengthen their collaboration with The African Commission for purposes of establishing an infrastructure at the national level to facilitate the creation of awareness on the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of The Commission in the promotion and enforcement of Article 9 of the African Charter.
Notes for editors
1. The Seminar on Freedom of Expression and the African Charter was held by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 22 – 25 November 2000. It brought together members of the African Commission, African freedom of expression NGOs, media practitioners, representatives of State Parties to the African Charter, and National Human Rights Institutions.
2. Article 9 of the African Charter states:
Every individual shall have the right to receive information.
Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law.
