UN expert seeks protection for journalists in Honduras

GENEVA (6 August 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, will undertake an official visit to Honduras from 7 to 14 August 2012 at the invitation of the Government.

The Special Rapporteur will consider how Honduras endeavours to implement the right to freedom of expression, the measures taken for its successful realisation and the obstacles encountered at both national and international levels. Mr. LaRue will seek to engage constructively with the Government to identify ways to ensure that all individuals, and in particular journalists, can exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression without fearing for their safety.

During the mission, the Special Rapporteur will visit Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula where he will meet with Government officials, members of Parliament and representatives from the United Nations system. He also intends to hold meetings with representatives from international agencies, non-governmental organisations, journalist associations, and other actors relevant to his mandate. The Special Rapporteur’s recommendations will be reflected in his final report, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in 2013.

Mr. LaRue will hold a press conference to share the preliminary findings of his report at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday 14 August 2012, at the Office of the United Nations in Tegucigalpa.

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Frank La Rue was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2008 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any Government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. For further information on the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx

OHCHR Country Page – Honduras: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/LACRegion/Pages/HNIndex.aspx

For further information and media enquiries, please contact:
In Geneva: Ms. Orlagh McCann (Tel: + 41 22 917 9695 / Email: omccann@ohchr.org).
In Tegucigalpa: Mr. Antonio Maldonado (Tel: +504 9492-9723/ Email: antonio.maldonado@undp.org)