UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION TO VISIT CÔTE D'IVOIRE

22 January 2004

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Ambeyi Ligabo, will visit Côte D'Ivoire from 28 January to 5 February 2004 at the invitation of the Government.

The Special Rapporteur has been especially concerned about the role of the media in the conflict that has plagued the country since September 2002. During his visit, Mr. Ligabo will meet with Ivorian authorities, in particular with senior Government officials dealing with the media sector; magistrates; national and international representatives of the press, including from the printed media as well as radio and televisions channels; students' and women's associations; and representatives of the United Nations system and of other intergovernmental organizations. He also intends to visit the north of the country to collect first-hand information and substantive elements regarding violations of the freedom of opinion and expression in that part of Côte D'Ivoire.

The mandate on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression was created by the Commission on Human Rights in 1993. The Special Rapporteur gathers relevant information on, among other issues, discrimination and threats or use of violence and harassment directed at persons, including professionals in the field of information, seeking to exercise or to promote the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
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