JOINT STATEMENT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AS A DRIVER OF ALL OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2023
Delivered by the Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO General Conference, the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council
UN Headquarters, New York
2 May 2023
30 years ago, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as World Press Freedom Day. The right to freedom of opinion and expression, press freedom, access to information and the pursuit of peace and sustainable development are closely interlinked. Journalists and media workers make indispensable contribution to the protection of human rights for all peoples. As we also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and as we reach the mid-point of the journey towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is time to recognize the important contribution of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of information to the fulfillment of other human rights.
At its very first session in 1946, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution A/RES/59, which refers to freedom of information in its widest sense, stating: “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and is the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.”
In this regard, we acknowledge the pioneering role of UNESCO in leading the process that resulted in the Windhoek 1991 Declaration on a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press, as well UNESCO’s continuous commitment since then to coordinate the global celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.
More recently, the General Assembly reaffirmed that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is a human right guaranteed to all, recognizing the importance of freedom of expression and of free, independent, plural and diverse media and access to information, online as well as offline, in building inclusive and peaceful knowledge societies and democracies and in fostering intercultural dialogue, peace and good governance, as well as understanding and cooperation. The Human Rights Council initiatives such as those on the safety of journalists or freedom of opinion and expression underline the crucial connections between free media, safety of journalists and the enjoyment of other rights.
On this day we call upon all Member States to promote, protect and fulfill the right of freedom of opinion and expression. All human rights are universal and indivisible. It is time to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference. The safety of journalists and media workers must be considered an integral part of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and key to countering disinformation, including in conflict settings. While individuals, including journalists, have a fundamental right to express themselves, the nurturing of a political culture based on respect and tolerance of divergent opinions expressed through various channels of communication, including the press and the media, is a collective benefit that contributes to the advancement of our societies.
We therefore urge Member States, the UN system, regional organisations, civil society, and all stakeholders to safeguard the right to freedom of opinion and expression as a basis for tackling the interlocking crises that the world faces.
H.E. Mr Csaba Korosi
President of the United Nations General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Santiago Irazabal Mourão
President of UNESCO General Conference
H.E. Ms Lachezara Stoeva
President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council
H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek
President of the United Nations Human Rights Council
