A/HRC/7/78
page 105
Recognizing also that the effective exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and
expression is an important indicator of the level of protection of other human rights and
freedoms, bearing in mind that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and
interrelated,
Deeply concerned that violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
continue to occur,
Stressing the need to ensure that invocation of national security, including
counter-terrorism, is not used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to freedom of
opinion and expression,
Stressing also the importance of full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart
information, including the fundamental importance of access to information, to democratic
participation, to accountability and to combating corruption,
Recognizing the importance of all forms of media, including the print media, radio,
television and the Internet, in the exercise, promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression, and also the importance for all forms of media to report and to deliver
information in a fair and impartial manner,
Bearing in mind paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,
Recalling Council resolutions 5/1 entitled “Institution-building of the United Nations
Human Rights Council” and 5/2 entitled “Code of Conduct for Special Procedures
Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council” and stressing that the mandate-holder shall
discharge his/her duties in accordance with these resolutions and the annexes thereto,
1.
Reaffirms the right of everyone to hold opinions without interference, as well as the
right to freedom of expression, and the intrinsically linked rights to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion, peaceful assembly and association and the right to take part in the
conduct of public affairs;
2.
Takes note with appreciation of the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (E/CN.4/2006/55,
A/HRC/4/27 and A/HRC/7/14), invites all relevant actors to consider the recommendations
contained therein, and welcomes his important contribution to the promotion and protection of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression, in particular his ongoing and increasing
cooperation with other mechanisms and organizations;
3.
Decides to extend for a further three years the mandate of the Special Rapporteur
whose tasks will be:
(a) To gather all relevant information, wherever it may occur, relating to violations of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression, discrimination against, threats or use of violence,
harassment, persecution or intimidation directed at persons seeking to exercise or to promote the
exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including, as a matter of high priority,
against journalists or other professionals in the field of information;
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents