[hr-media] Declaration of Principle on Freedom of Expression in Africa

ARTICLE 19 WELCOMES THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON 
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN AFRICA.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted a landmark 
Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa at its 32nd 
Ordinary Session, in Banjul, The Gambia, held from 17th to 23rd October 2002.

The Declaration is the culmination of a long period of collaboration and 
consultation between the African Commission and ARTICLE 19, and symbolises 
the commitment and determination of the African Commission to tackle the 
continued and increasing violations of the right to freedom of expression 
and information in many African countries.

The Declaration addresses in a holistic and comprehensive manner the major 
threats to freedom of expression and information on the Continent and will 
serve as a benchmark to evaluate states compliance with Article 9 of the 
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. It will also strengthen the 
right to freedom of expression and information in the context of the 
African Union and the NEPAD initiative, paving the way for the recognition 
of the role of the media in these important processes.

The declaration stresses the 'fundamental importance of freedom of 
expression as an individual human right, as a cornerstone of democracy and 
as a means of ensuring respect for all human rights and freedoms'. 'ARTICLE 
19 appreciates this important move and will continue to work closely with 
the African Commission to monitor the implementation of this Declaration by 
state parties to the African Charter' said Andrew Puddepphatt, Executive 
Director of ARTICLE 19.

1. The Declaration and reports of previous meetings are available in French 
and English at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1410.doc.

2. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is established under 
the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to promote and protect 
human and peoples' rights in Africa.

For more information on the process, decisions and other related work and 
activities of the African Commission on freedom of expression, contact 
Fatou Jagne (fatou@article19.org.za), tel: +27 11 403 14 88, +27 11 403 15 
17 or Peter Noorlander (peter@article19.org), tel: +44 20 72789292, fax: 44 
20 77 13 13 56.