Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information

Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information is a position established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression and access to information worldwide, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Special Rapporteur works closely with other United Nations Special Rapporteurs, such as the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, to address the intersection of freedom of expression and other human rights. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is supported by various non-governmental organizations, including Article 19 (organization), Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights.

● Introduction

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur works in cooperation with other international and regional mechanisms, such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, to address violations of freedom of expression and access to information. The Special Rapporteur also engages with national human rights institutions, such as the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Canadian Human Rights Commission, to promote the implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur collaborates with international organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Labour Organization, to promote freedom of expression and access to information in various contexts.

● Mandate and Responsibilities

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information is mandated to promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. The Special Rapporteur's responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on violations of freedom of expression and access to information, providing technical assistance and advice to States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and engaging in dialogue with governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to promote the implementation of international human rights standards. The Special Rapporteur also works closely with other United Nations Special Procedures, such as the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, to address the intersection of freedom of expression and other human rights. Additionally, the Special Rapporteur cooperates with regional organizations, including the European Union and the African Union, to promote freedom of expression and access to information at the regional level.

● History and Establishment

The position of Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1993, with the appointment of the first Special Rapporteur, Abid Hussain. Since then, the mandate has been renewed and expanded several times, with the current mandate being held by Irene Khan. The Special Rapporteur has played a crucial role in promoting and protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, particularly in the context of the Arab Spring and other global events, such as the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Euromaidan protests. The Special Rapporteur has also worked closely with other international human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, to address the intersection of freedom of expression and other human rights.

● Role

in Promoting Freedom of Expression The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information plays a key role in promoting and protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, particularly in the context of new media and digital technologies. The Special Rapporteur has addressed issues such as online censorship, surveillance, and the protection of journalists and human rights defenders, in collaboration with organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Press Institute. The Special Rapporteur has also promoted the importance of access to information laws and freedom of information legislation, such as the Freedom of Information Act (United States) and the Access to Information Act (Canada), and has worked with national authorities, such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, to promote the implementation of these laws. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur has engaged with civil society organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, to promote freedom of expression and access to information in the digital age.

● Regional Mechanisms and Cooperation

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information works closely with regional mechanisms, such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, to promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression and access to information. The Special Rapporteur has also cooperated with regional organizations, such as the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to promote freedom of expression and access to information at the regional level. Additionally, the Special Rapporteur has worked with sub-regional organizations, such as the Southern African Development Community and the Economic Community of West African States, to promote freedom of expression and access to information in specific regions. The Special Rapporteur has also engaged with national human rights institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria and the South African Human Rights Commission, to promote the implementation of international human rights standards at the national level.

● Country Visits and Reports

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information conducts country visits to assess the situation of freedom of expression and access to information in specific countries, such as China, Russia, and Egypt. The Special Rapporteur also submits reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly on the situation of freedom of expression and access to information in various countries, including Turkey, Brazil, and South Africa. These reports provide an assessment of the country's compliance with international human rights standards and make recommendations for improvement, in collaboration with organizations such as Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists. The Special Rapporteur has also worked with national authorities, including the Ministry of Justice (France) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India), to promote the implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur has engaged with civil society organizations, including the Human Rights Foundation and the World Press Freedom Committee, to promote freedom of expression and access to information in various countries. Category:United Nations Special Rapporteurs