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To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: ARTICLE 19, press@article19.org
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release - 7 June 2007
African NGO Forum Urges Adherence to Freedom of Expression Standards
In May 2007, non-government organizations (NGOs) held a Forum in Accra, Ghana, to share knowledge and offer recommendations on human rights policyto the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR).
At the Forum, ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Freedom of Expression with Media Foundation for West Africa led a Special Interest Working Group to highlight urgent and specific concerns over the state of the right to freedom of expression (FOE) in the Continent.
The Working Group expressed the deepest concerns about violations of FOE in many countries but especially Zimbabwe, Eritrea and Gambia, where journalists and human rights defenders have been under siege
Other concerns were also voiced during the meeting. The poor governmental policies on freedom of expression and right to access information in many African states were noted and Working Group participants sought the releaseof human rights defenders and journalists held in detention in various African countries. Those at the meeting offered recommendations aimed atrepealing restrictive, secretive and punitive legislative environmentsa round free expression and media freedom.
The Special Working Group urged the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to:
• Support implementation of freedom of information legislation across the continent.
• Urge states implicated in abuses of the media and of civil rights relating to freedom of expression to renounce and redress those abuses.
• Work with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression to promote adherence to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.
To view the full text of the conclusions from the meeting of the Special Interest Group on the Right to Freedom of Expression click here:
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/conferences/africa-foe-special-interest-group.pdf
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information, please contact Africa Programme Officer, Cece Fadope; cece@aritcle19.org
ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works globally to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.
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