\n
Accra, Oct. 28, GNA \u2013 The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has urged Commonwealth States to take \u201cpractical and effective steps\u201d to end restrictions on free expression.<\/p>\n
The call followed the adoption of the \u201cCommonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance\u201d by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at a summit held in Apia, Samoa, on Saturday, October 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese Principles highlight the importance of freedom of expression and media freedom to democracy. They state that Commonwealth governments \u2018should consider repealing or amending laws which unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression.\u201d The associations said this in a release copied to Ghana News Agency, in Accra on Monday.<\/p>\n
Both associations want Commonwealth governments to \u201caudit progress\u201d and engage civil society to ensure that the Principles on Freedom of Expression \u201care implemented in reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quoting some statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), CHRI and CJA indicate that freedom of expression in many Commonwealth countries was still \u201cunder threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented 547 journalists imprisoned globally as of the end of 2023, with legal harassment often used as a tool to stifle dissent and investigative reporting.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany Commonwealth countries still maintain restrictive, colonial-era laws that curtail free expression, suppress diverse voices, and inhibit the transparency that is essential for democracy,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
CHRI and CJA added that an upcoming report shows 41 Commonwealth countries continue to criminalise defamation, while 48 other countries have retained laws related to sedition. It said some 37 countries also had \u201cblasphemy or blasphemy-like laws.\u201d<\/p>\n
William Horsley of the CJA stated that such laws, often enforced through criminal sanctions, had \u201ca chilling effect\u201d on activists, journalists, and others who \u201cfear retaliation for speaking truth to power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has led to an alarming rise in self-censorship and a decline in the independent and dissenting voices that are vital for holding governments accountable,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression, according to the organisations, was initiated by a group of civil society organisations in response to \u201ca general deterioration in legal protections and the working environment for journalists.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a review and adoption of the Principles, CHRI and CJA urge member states to implement the doctrines \u201cwithin their domestic frameworks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sneh Aurora, Director of CHRI, described the Principles as \u201can opportunity for Commonwealth governments to bring their national laws in line with international human rights laws.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile many member states share a colonial legal legacy that includes repressive laws still in effect today, they also share a commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law as set out in the Commonwealth Charter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Commonwealth has the potential to lead by example in promoting freedom of expression through legal reform, ensuring that criminal laws are not misused to silence dissent,\u201d the Director said.<\/p>\n
A future CHRI and CJA report titled: \u201cWho Controls the Narrative? Legal Restrictions on Freedom of Expression in the Commonwealth\u201d highlights \u201cthe increasing use of criminal law provisions, including defamation, sedition, blasphemy, and national security, to restrict<\/p>\n
freedom of expression and media freedom within the Commonwealth,\u201d and makes some recommendations.<\/p>\n
GNA<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Accra, Oct. 28, GNA \u2013 The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has urged Commonwealth States to take \u201cpractical and effective steps\u201d to end restrictions on free expression. The call followed the adoption of the \u201cCommonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":240794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-240793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
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