SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION TO VISIT IRAN FROM 17 TO 27 JULY 2003

9 July 2003






The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Ambeyi Ligabo, will visit Iran from 17 to 27 July 2003 at the invitation of the Government.
During this visit, Mr. Ligabo will meet with Iranian authorities, and in particular with senior Government officials and magistrates, and with representatives of the United Nations system. He also intends to hold meetings with representatives of civil society, including members of the media and academics.
The mandate on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression was created by the Commission on Human Rights in 1993. The Special Rapporteur gathers relevant information on, among other issues, discrimination and threats or use of violence and harassment directed at persons, including professionals in the field of information, seeking to exercise or to promote the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Ambeyi Ligabo, a Kenyan citizen, was appointed Special Rapporteur on 26 August 2002.



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