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Joint action

Thirty-eight IFEX members make recommendations to improve freedom of expression at Honduras's UPR

(ARTICLE 19/C-Libre/IFEX) - We, the undersigned freedom of expression organisations, are very concerned about the deplorable human rights situation in Honduras, which has been exacerbated since the coup of 28 June 2009. Since the beginning of 2010 alone, it has been reported that nine journalists have been murdered and human rights defenders suffered harassment with impunity for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Following this political crisis it is essential to strengthen freedom of expression, as it is foundational to the reconstruction of the democratic process in Honduras.

On 4 November 2010, the human rights record of the State of Honduras will be reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Mechanism. Member countries of the Council have the responsibility of making comments and recommendations to Honduras on the general human rights situation in the country, including the right to freedom of expression. Recommendations by civil society organisations are also considered by the Council when conducting their review.

According to its international obligations, the Honduran government must promote and ensure a proper environment for the free flow of information, exchange of ideas and respect for dissident voices, access to information and pluralism in the media. In their submission to the Council, freedom of expression organisations ARTICLE 19 and C-Libre demonstrate that these international obligations are not being met, and that there remain numerous challenges and obstacles to freedom of expression in the country.

With the aim of ensuring the fundamental right to freedom of expression, we the undersigned ask the United Nations Human Rights Council that the following recommendations be made to the State of Honduras during its Universal Periodic Review:

Effective measures should be adopted to protect journalists, human rights defenders and other social communicators from attacks aimed at silencing them, and effective investigations should be undertaken to identify and punish those responsible. Precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights should be properly implemented.

Implement measures to investigate and punish human rights violations that took place under the coup.

The Telecommunications Act should establish an independent body to regulate public broadcasting. The criteria for licensing under this Act should be fair, transparent and inclusive of public, private and community broadcasters. It should also contain measures to prevent concentration of media ownership.

Community media should be explicitly recognised and promoted by law.

Reforms are needed to make the Information Law comply with all international standards, including the necessary legal framework to implement the right of access to information.

Decriminalise defamation and other content restrictions on freedom of expression to ensure harmonisation with international standards.

The allocation of government advertising must be subject to regulation to ensure it is based on fair and objective criteria.

Signed,

ARTICLE 19
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3GA
United Kingdom
info (@) article19.org
Phone: +44 20 7324 2517
Fax: +44 20 7490 0566

 

Comité por la Libre Expresión (C-Libre)
Colonia Palmira
Primera calle
(contiguo a Centro Cultural de España)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Honduras
clibre (@) clibre.info
Phone: +504 2237 9966
Fax: +504 2237 9966
@clibre

 

Adil Soz - International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Andean Foundation for Media Observation & Study (FUNDAMEDIOS)
Association of Caribbean Media Workers
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Center for Journalism and Public Ethics
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Centre for Independent Journalism
Centro de Reportes Informativos sobre Guatemala (CERIGUA)
Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (CENCOS)
Ethiopian Freepress Journalists' Association
Foro de Periodismo Argentino (FOPEA)
Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP)
Freedom Forum
Freedom House
Free Media Movement
Globe International
Human Rights Network for Journalists - Uganda
Initiative for Freedom of Expression
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information (ISAI)
Institute of Mass Information
Instituto Prensa y Sociedad
Instituto Prensa y Sociedad de Venezuela
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Media Foundation for West Africa
National Press Association (ANP)
National Union of Somali Journalists
Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión (OLA)
Pacific Islands News Association
Pakistan Press Foundation
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay
SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom (Samir Kassir Eyes) - INTERIM MEMBER
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)