A/HRC/20/17
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
4 June 2012
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twentieth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom
of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue
*
Summary
The present report builds on the previous work of the Special Rapporteur regarding
the issue of the protection of journalists and media freedom, and focuses particularly on
situations outside of armed conflict. A brief introduction is set out in Chapter I, noting that
the majority of human rights violations against journalists take place outside of armed
conflict situations. Chapter II provides a brief account of the main activities undertaken by
the Special Rapporteur, including communications sent, participation in events, press
releases issued and country visits undertaken and requested by the Special Rapporteur.
Chapter III examines the challenges faced by journalists in carrying out their work, in
particular when covering street protests and demonstrations or reporting on politically
sensitive issues, such as human rights violations, environmental issues, corruption,
organized crime, drug trafficking, public crises and emergencies. Particular challenges
faced by journalists and media organizations when carrying out their work via the Internet
is also highlighted. The increasing use of criminal laws to suppress media freedom is also
examined, as well as the continuing problem of impunity. Emphasizing that the problem in
ensuring the protection of journalists worldwide lies not in the lack of international
standards, but in the inability or unwillingness of Governments to take effective measures,
the report examines the issue of impunity and ways in which some States have attempted to
combat this phenomenon. Chapter IV draws conclusions and provides relevant
recommendations for different stakeholders, including States, United Nations agencies,
regional actors and civil society.
*
GE.12-13787
Late submission.