Ecuador: UN human rights expert starts official visit to assess freedom of expression

Spanish

GENEVA (3 October 2018) – The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye, will carry out his first official visit to Ecuador from 5 to 11 October to assess the situation of freedom of expression and access to information in the country.

“I look forward to understanding the current transition process that Ecuador is undergoing and suggesting recommendations to strengthen the legal framework and its implementation in the area of freedom of expression of individuals, journalists and media and of civil society organisations,” Mr. Kaye said. 

“I stand ready to provide technical support and to engage with all relevant stakeholders in this important moment for Ecuador.”

The expert, whose visit is at the invitation of the Government of Ecuador, will meet legislative, executive and judicial authorities, as well as journalists, other media representatives and civil society groups. 

The Special Rapporteur will host a press conference to share his preliminary findings on 11 October 2018, at 11:00 local time in Quito. Access will be strictly limited to journalists. 

Mr. Kaye’s final report containing his findings and recommendations will be presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2019. 

ENDS

Mr. David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expressionin August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

As a UN Special Rapporteur, Mr. Kaye is part of what is known as the Special Proceduresof the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. 

For additional information please contact:
In Ecuador (during the visit): Ms. Marina Narvaez (mnarvaez@ohchr.org/ + 41 76-691-0826)
In Geneva (after the visit): Ms. Marina Narvaez (mnarvaez@ohchr.org/ + 41 22 917 9615)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact:
Mr. Jeremy Laurence (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

This year is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org.