UN Expert on freedom of opinion and expression to visit Italy

GENEVA (7 November 2013) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue will visit Italy from 11 to 18 November 2013 to assess the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

“I intend to study the initiatives taken by Italy to promote freedom of opinion and expression as well as the main obstacles encountered,” Mr. La Rue said. “I will also gather information on issues such as the existing regulations for media, telecommunications and internet and the initiatives taken to address hate speech .”

The human rights expert, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Italian Government, will meet Government officials, including members of the legislative and judicial branches. He will also hold discussions with representatives from civil society organizations, journalists and press organizations, and with experts working in areas related to his mandate.

After this visit, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a report on the key findings of his mission to Italy and make recommendations on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the country. His report will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in June 2014.

Mr. La Rue will host a press conference to share his preliminary conclusions and observations on Monday, 18 November 2013 at 10:30 a.m at the Societa' Italiana Per L'Organizzazione Internazionale, Via di San Marco, 3, Rome.

ENDS

Frank La Rue (Guatemala) 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. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx

UN Human Rights, country page – Italy: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/ENACARegion/Pages/ITIndex.aspx

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CCPR.aspx

For inquiries and media requests , please contact:

In Rome: Dragana Korljan (+41 79-201-0122 / dkorljan@ohchr.org) and Jennifer Jokstad (+4179-444-6129 / jjokstad@ohchr.org)
In Geneva: Marcelo Daher (+41 22 917 9431 / mdaher@ohchr.org) or write to freedex@ohchr.org )

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Cécile Pouilly, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)

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