Freedom of Expression
Press release R74/23
The Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR presents its 2022
Annual Report
April
24, 2023
Washington, D.C. – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of
Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
presents its Annual Report on the Situation of Freedom of Expression in the
Hemisphere in 2022, which is part of the Annual Report presented by the
Inter-American Commission to the OAS Member States.
The Office of the Rapporteur noted with concern that 2022 was the deadliest year for
journalists in the region in the
last 24 years, since the publication of the first annual
report in 1998. At least 39 journalists were killed
for reasons that could be linked to the profession, in 10 of the 35 member
states of the Organization of American States (OAS). An additional concern to this phenomenon of violence has to do with the
fact that the Office of the Special Rapporteur does not perceive significant
progress in the investigations of these crimes, which translates into increased
levels of self-censorship and silence.
Similarly, SRFOE has monitored and received reports of other forms of
violence, such as threats, intimidation, attacks on media facilities,
harassment through social networks or restrictions on the free exercise of
journalism when covering protests, in addition to physical
aggressions and arbitrary detentions.
This office has also monitored stigmatizing speeches by public officials
and political leaders against the press, which results in an increase in the
risk of professionals when exercising their functions.
2022 was also marked by several protests in different parts of the region,
some of which saw excessive use of police force to disperse citizen
demonstrations. The Office of the Special
Rapporteur insists on recalling that member states must guarantee the exercise
of peaceful protest and refrain from restricting this right disproportionately,
in accordance with international human rights standards.
Regarding the fight against discrimination and exclusion, SRFOE observed
obstacles to the effective enjoyment of freedom of expression in various groups
in vulnerable situations, such as women, LGBTI persons,
indigenous peoples, among others, who face particular challenges for their
realities to be included and made visible in the public debate.
On the other hand, this Office registered progress in court decisions that seek to
guarantee the freedom of expression of women journalists and women who
denounce gender-based violence, sanctions against officials for stigmatizing
expressions and the adoption of measures that seek to guarantee plurality in public
debate.
Regarding freedom of expression and the Internet, the Office of the Special
Rapporteur noted with concern the continuity of initiatives that seek to control the
flow of information in a manner contrary to international standards, which may
threaten the existence of the Internet as a free, open, and inclusive space.
This is the twenty-fourth Annual Report prepared by the Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression since its creation in 1997.
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To access the full 2022 Annual Report, click here.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office
created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to stimulate
the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression,
considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the
democratic system.