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Freedom of expression is central to the right to communicate, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2003 ARTICLE 19 press release:

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS CENTRAL TO THE RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE

ARTICLE 19 today released a statement on the right to communicate, stressing that it should be understood as "the right of every individual or community to have its stories and views heard" (1).


The Statement notes that the right to communicate should not be conceived of as a new and independent right. Instead, any Declaration on the Right to Communicate (2) should firmly establish it within the framework of existing rights, most importantly the right to freedom of expression.

According to ARTICLE 19, the right to communicate should be seen as an umbrella or framework term, encompassing within it a group of related rights including:

- the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas;
- the right to pluralism within the media and to equitable access to the means of communication;
- the right to practice and express one's culture;
- the right to participate in public decision-making processes;
- the right to access information from public bodies; and
- supporting rights including the right to communicate anonymously and the right to respect for private life.

Understood in this way, a Declaration on the Right to Communicate would make a significant contribution to the ongoing process of implementation of the International Bill of Rights.

However, we have serious concerns about the draft Declaration on the Right to Communicate circulated by Cees Hamelink in December 2002 (3). This draft Declaration seeks to impose a number of vague, broad restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, contrary to international law. Equally seriously, it fails to elaborate clearly the implications of the right to communicate and what States need to do to respect this right. ARTICLE 19 urges NGOs to resist inclusion in any Declaration of many of the provisions of the Hamelink Declaration, which undermine rather than promote the further realisation of human rights.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The statement can be found on ARTICLE 19's website, at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1502.doc.