Draft Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa
The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, one of the special mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission), is calling for submissions on the Draft Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (Draft Declaration).
The current process seeks to revise the version of the declaration that was adopted by the African Commission in 2002, in order to take account of developments in the digital age. For instance, paragraphs 5-6 of the Draft Declaration provide as follows:
Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and the Right of Access to Information Online
The exercise of the right to freedom of expression and the right of access to information shall be protected from interference both online and offline.
States shall interpret and implement the protection of freedom of expression and access to information in this Declaration and other relevant international standards, to include the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and the right of access to information in their digital dimensions.
The deadline for submissions is 1 July 2019, and should be emailed to [email protected].
The Draft Declaration is accessible here.
The call for submissions is accessible here.
Please note: The information contained in this note is for general guidance on matters of interest, and does not constitute legal advice. For any enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
