Freedom of Expression in the Americas

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will select a new Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression at its 151st session this July.

This bilingual bulletin, jointly produced by the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), and the Open Society Justice Initiative, seeks to bring greater transparency to the process and provide information to the public about the candidates' views.

As organizations committed to strengthening the Inter-American human rights system, we believe that civil society has a vital role to play in ensuring that the election of the system’s officials—its commissioners, judges, and special rapporteurs— is transparent, guarantees diversity, and promotes candidates of the highest competence.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur was established by the IACHR in October 1997 to promote and protect the right to freedom of thought and expression in the Americas, with the recognition that this right is the “cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests.” Its work includes compiling annual reports on the state of freedom of expression throughout the Americas, as well as writing country-specific reports.

The Office also analyses complaints of violations received by the IACHR and advises the Commission on cases, including requests for "precautionary measures.” The Special Rapporteur also conducts on-site visits to countries in order to gather information, and to promote an understanding of the need to protect the right to free expression.

This informational bulletin presents the views of four out of the six candidates standing for the Special Rapporteurship on Freedom of Expression. Each was asked the same four questions, which appear in their entirety below. All of the respondents replied in Spanish.