Agenda Item 8: General Debate

- Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Thank you, Mr. President,

International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice want to raise the issue regarding the United Nations' challenges faced with regards to respecting the right of free press, without discrimination. The right of free press should be respected for anyone, regardless of their opinions. This is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression, which is a central point of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Until now, no action has been taken to restore Inner City Press to its resident correspondent status at United Nations headquarters in New York. Questions have been raised as to whether this decision may be related to their continuous critical reporting on the UN and on matters that may raise concerns regarding the integrity of the organization. The UN should provide clarifications on this matter.

The UN should encourage journalists to report on such issues so that the organization can continually improve itself. We support the United Nations and this Council, because you strive to create the kind of United Nations we want. An organization that is guided by and respectful of human rights as the VDPA envisions. We hope that the UN will live up to these commonly expressed principles and that this Council will act to ensure the right to freedom of expression and the freedom of press for all.

Thank you