On 4 May 2015, at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day International Conference in Riga, four freedom of expression rapporteurs will launch their 2015 Joint Declaration on freedom of expression and responses to conflict situations.
The 17th Joint Declaration responds to systematic attacks on freedom of expression which are characterised by violence, such as armed conflicts, terrorist attacks or widespread organised crime, and which are aimed at silencing certain voices at international, national and local levels. In the Joint Declaration, the rapporteurs present a series of recommendations on how to address these violations in compliance with international freedom of expression standards.
Joint Declarations by the rapporteurs have been adopted annually since 1999, covering current universal challenges to freedom of expression.
Moderator: Thomas Hughes, ARTICLE 19
Speakers:
- David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression
- Edison Lanza, the Organization of American States Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
- Dunja Mijatovic, the Representative on Freedom of Expression, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (remotely) and Juan Barata Mir, Principal Adviser to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
- Faith Pansy Tlakula, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (remotely)
In addition, the panel will also include Barbora Bukovska from ARTICLE 19 and Toby Mendel from the Center for Law and Democracy.
Journalists and conference participants are invited to attend the 2015 Joint Declaration launch, starting at 9:00 hrs on 4 May 2015 in the Imanta Ziedona Hall, National Library, Riga.
The Special rapporteurs will be available for interviews after 10:00 hrs.
Media representatives should RSVP to [email protected]