Special rapporteurs, including OSCE representative, launch joint declaration on universality and right to freedom of expression

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, along with the three special rapporteurs on media freedom from United Nations, the Organization of American States and the African Commission on Human and People’s rights, launched on 6 May 2014 a joint declaration on universality and the right to freedom of expression.

“The joint declaration clearly states that legal restrictions on freedom of expression can never be justified by reference to local traditions, culture and value,” Mijatović said. “Certain forms of speech, such as political speech in its broader sense and opinions on religious and philosophical matters, should be particularly protected according to a universal vision of freedom.”

Mijatović also urged all governments of the 57-nation OSCE to take real steps to secure freedom of speech.

“All OSCE participating States should recommit to their democratic values and honour the OSCE commitments they voluntarily agreed upon,” she said.

The joint declaration was presented on 6 May at a two-day conference in Paris organized by UNESCO marking World Press Freedom Day.

The joint declaration is available at:  //www.osce.org/fom/118298