A/HRC/14/23 I. Introduction 1. This report is submitted to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 7/36. The addendum to the report (A/HRC/14/23/Add.1) contains a summary of the communications sent by the Special Rapporteur between 1 January 2009 and 19 March 2010 and the replies received from Governments between 16 May 2009 and 14 May 2010. 2. Since he took up his mandate on 1 August 2008, the Special Rapporteur has been working with various stakeholders in a spirit of transparency, openness and positive dialogue. The Special Rapporteur reaffirms his commitment to constructive engagement with all stakeholders in order to further promote and protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression worldwide. 3. In his first report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/11/4), the Special Rapporteur dealt with two priority issues: the right of access to information in situations of extreme poverty, and the protection of journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. In this report, the Special Rapporteur will examine the right to freedom of opinion and expression of groups in need of particular attention (women, children, those living in extreme poverty, minorities and indigenous peoples) and the role of freedom of expression in combating discrimination; permissible and impermissible limitations on the right to freedom of opinion and expression in international human rights law; and the protection of journalists and the freedom of the press. II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur A. Communications 4. Between 1 January 2009 and 19 March 2010, the Special Rapporteur sent 304 communications, 284 of which were signed jointly with other special procedures mandate holders. The geographical distribution of the communications was as follows: 32 per cent for Asia and the Pacific; 22 per cent for Latin America and the Caribbean; 19 per cent for Africa; 14 per cent for Europe, North America and Central Asia; and 12 per cent for the Middle East and North Africa. B. Participation in meetings and seminars 5. The Special Rapporteur attended many meetings with government authorities and civil society organizations to consider issues relating to the right to freedom of opinion and expression. He also participated in international academic seminars and global forums where topics related to the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression were discussed. 6. From 20 to 24 April, the Special Rapporteur participated in the Durban Review Conference, held in Geneva. He also took part in a side event, along with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, concerning freedom of expression and incitement to racial or religious hatred. At that event, which was organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights GE.10-13049 3