Honduras: UN expert to assess freedom of opinion and expression, including media freedom

GENEVA (13 October 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, Irene Khan, will conduct an official visit to Honduras from 16 to 27 October 2023.

During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will focus on good practices and challenges related to the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression, including access to information and media freedom in Honduras.

The Special Rapporteur will travel to Tegucigalpa as well as to the cities of La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula to meet with a wide range of stakeholders from Government, State institutions and civil society. She will review the legal and policy framework affecting the work of journalists, media organisations, civil society, including the functioning of the Protection Mechanism for human rights defenders, journalists, social communicators and legal practitioners.

During her visit, the Special Rapporteur will examine issues related to the impunity for violence against journalists and human rights defenders, obstacles to freedom of expression for marginalised and vulnerable groups, and efforts to address hate speech and disinformation.

Khan will share her preliminary observations at a press conference in Tegucigalpa on 27 October at 11 AM local time at the Hyatt Palace Hotel. Access is strictly limited to journalists.

A report on her country visit will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2024.