The following resolution, introduced by the United States, was adopted by consensus by the Human Rights Council March 27, 2014. The following is the introductory statement by the United States.
Item 3: Resolution Entitled “Freedom of Opinion and Expression: mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression,” A/HRC/25/L.2/Rev. 1
Delivered by Paula Schriefer
Head of the U.S. Delegation to the Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council 25th Session
Geneva, March 27, 2014
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States is pleased to introduce for adoption Resolution L.2/rev.1 on “Freedom of Opinion and Expression: mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”
This resolution has 72 co-sponsors. As the resolution on this topic adopted by the Council did three years ago, the current resolution would extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for another period of three years.
Given the importance of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the resolution recognizes that the effective exercise of this right is a critical component for the enjoyment of other human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that it constitutes a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.
Welcoming the work of the Special Rapporteur, the resolution urges all States to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in carrying out this important mandate, including by considering favorably requests for visits and by implementing recommendations.
An amendment to the text, L43, has been tabled by South Africa and others. It is acceptable to us. We thus accept the resolution tabled as L.43 and incorporate it as a revision into the text of the resolution under consideration. Thus the PP3 reads as follows.
Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on the institution-building of the Council, and 5/2 on the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders of the Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge his/her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto.
We urge the Council to adopt this resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur by consensus.
Thank you.