Four freedom of expression rapporteurs whose mandates cover the entire world will meet in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 25 June to launch their annual 2012 Joint Declaration on “Crimes against Freedom of Expression”.

Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of Expression, Catalina Botero, the Organization of American States Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, and Faith Pansy Tlakula, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, will take part in the launch, which coincides with the International Press Institute’s 61st World Congress in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The panel of speakers will also host Toby Mendel, Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, and Barbora Bukovska, Senior Director for Law and Policy at Article 19, whose organizations facilitated the preparation of the Joint Declaration.

The 14th Joint Declaration will outline major threats around the world, to journalists and media – often targeted for their critical coverage of politics, the economy, and social and religious affairs, and for investigating crime and corruption. The document will focus on universal solutions and will encourage all governments and other stakeholders to help counter the killings of journalists, as well as the threats and physical attacks they systematically face.

Joint Declarations of international freedom of expression by the special rapporteurs have been adopted annually since 1999, covering current universal challenges to media freedom and freedom of expression.

The previous declarations are accessible at www.osce.org/fom/66176.

Check the Congress programme here.
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Journalists are invited to attend the 2012 Joint Declaration launch press conference, set to start at 9:00 on 25 June 2012 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Please note:
Both media representatives and congress participants who wish to attend should register with Bruce Blake, IPI Manager of Communications and Philanthropic Enterprise, at the IPI Registration desk by 18:00 on Sunday, 24 June.

Bruce Blake
Manager of Communications and Philanthropic Enterprise
M: + 43 676 956 91 70
E: [email protected]