(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION TO VISIT ARGENTINA (25 June – 2 July 2001) The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights regarding the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Abid Hussain […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION TO VISIT ARGENTINA (25 June – 2 July 2001)
The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights regarding the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Abid Hussain (India), will visit Argentina at the invitation of the Government from 25 June to 2 July. This will be the Special Rapporteur’s first official visit to a Latin American country.
During his visit, Mr. Hussain will travel to Buenos Aires and Santiago del Estero. He is scheduled to meet with President Fernando de la Rua as well as with representatives of the legislative and judicial branches of Government, both at the federal and provincial levels. This visit will also include meetings with a wide range of media professionals, lawyers, representatives of human rights NGOs, academics, novelists and individuals who may wish to testify in their personal capacity.
Mr. Hussain will gather first-hand information from a wide range of sources in order to better assess the state of freedom of opinion and expression in Argentina; learn of governmental policies and measures relating to freedom of opinion, and evaluate allegations relevant to his mandate.
The Special Rapporteur will present his findings in a report to the next session of the Commission on Human rights in March 2002.
Mr. Hussain, who has been Special Rapporteur since 1993, is presently a member of the commission reviewing India’s Constitution. He has served as India’s Ambassador to the United States, with the rank of Cabinet Minister (1990-1992). In addition to his official responsibilities in India, Mr. Hussain has been prominent in public affairs and the media in his country. He has served as Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Chairman of three Indian national newspapers, and Vice-Chairman of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
Additional information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is available at the following Internet address: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mfro.htm
