ISHR, together with a coalition of NGOs, has developed a checklist that sets out the requirements prospective candidates should meet for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

ISHR, together with a coalition of NGOs, has developed a checklist that sets out the requirements prospective candidates should meet for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

The important position will open up in July 2014 at the end of Frank La Rue’s six years of service to the mandate. The aim of the checklist is to help ensure that whomever is appointed to the role will enable the mandate to continue on equally strong terms, and to meet the increasing global challenges against the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The mandate was created in 1993 and has played a crucial role in protecting freedom of expression and information - giving attention to many of the worst abuses of these rights, and as an avenue through which victims of violations can have their voices heard on the international stage.

The checklist has been submitted in a written statement to the Human Rights Council's 25th session, and was highlighted in a joint NGO oral statement to the Council on Wednesday 19 March.

The written statement was signed by Africa Freedom of Information Centre, Asian Legal Resource Centre, Amnesty International, Article 19, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, International Service for Human Rights, Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, and Reporters Without Borders.

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