High Level Seminar: “Role and powers of National Human Rights Institutions and Other National Mechanisms”

Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of a democratic and pluralistic society. Its corollary is access for everyone to accurate, reliable and timely information, a key precondition for informed public participation. The role of the media and journalists in seeking out, verifying and distributing information is crucial.

States have the responsibility to provide adequate safeguards, both through law and practice, for the effective enjoyment and protection of freedom of expression, including by creating an enabling environment for free and responsible media to flourish and play their essential role in democracy.

The Council of Europe is well placed to help prevent and address the threats to the exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, both offline and in the online environment.

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Back High Level Seminar: “Role and powers of National Human Rights Institutions and Other National Mechanisms”

The Council of Europe and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) are jointly organising on 15 December in Strasbourg a high level seminar to discuss the potential for co-operation to promote and protect freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in member states.

The seminar is a follow up to a proposal made by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland in his 2015 annual report to launch a two-year programme to support national mechanisms to protect journalists.

The event brings together representatives of National Human Rights Institutions and other national mechanisms, as well as former judges of the European Court of Human Rights and representatives of other Council of Europe’s bodies dealing with this issue.

Journalists’ organisations are also participating, including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Secretary General Jagland and Adriana van Dooijeweert, President of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, opened the Seminar.

More information here

Strasbourg 15 December 2016

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Visit the "Freedom of expression in times of conflict" webpage

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Visit the "Campaign for the Safety of Journalists" webpage