(FPJQ/CJFE/RSF/IFEX) – The following is an FPJQ, CJFE and RSF press release: The Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and Reporters sans frontières have jointly asked the representatives of the countries taking part in the Third Summit of the Americas, being held in Quebec City, Canada from April 20-22nd to […]
(FPJQ/CJFE/RSF/IFEX) – The following is an FPJQ, CJFE and RSF press release:
The Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and Reporters sans frontières have jointly asked the representatives of the countries taking part in the Third Summit of the Americas, being held in Quebec City, Canada from April 20-22nd to adopt the following resolutions on freedom of expression. These groups are also working together at the summit to monitor and report any potential violations to press freedom.
RESOLUTIONS:
The countries taking part in the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City agree to use the occasion to express their strong commitment to ensuring that press freedom be respected throughout the continent.
Participating countries agree to make the fight against impunity a priority and to do all they can to ensure that the murders of journalists do not go unpunished. They note that the Declaration of the Principles on Freedom of Expression, approved by the 108th session of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in October 2000, states that governments have a “duty to investigate [the killings of journalists] and to punish the perpetrators.”
The participating countries also agree to pass a resolution promising to repeal laws which stipulate that press offences are subject to jail sentences. This would be in line with the principles adopted in January 2000 by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion. That report clearly states that “imprisonment as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion constitutes a serious violation of human rights.” Article 11 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression states that “laws that penalize offensive expressions directed at public officials restrict freedom of expression and the right to information.”
To ensure that these promises be respected, the participating countries ask that in one year’s time, the Organization of American States’ Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression produce a detailed report of the progress made with regards to these issues. To this effect, they agree to provide the necessary support to the Rapporteur’s office.
Moreover, while acknowledging that in certain parts of the Americas journalists are being murdered while exercising their profession, the participating countries also agree to make a special appeal to Cuba to respect freedom of the press and expression, and to free individuals imprisoned for their opinions, such as journalist Bernardo Arévalo Padron.
To contact the Press Freedom Monitoring Committee until 22 April, please call +418 561 3443
