Mr President,
Sweden aligns herself with the statement made by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union.
Sweden thanks the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, for his comprehensive and thought-provoking report.
(Sweden supports the independence of the Special Procedure mandate holders. How they wish to organise their work to achieve implementation has to be for the mandate holder concerned to decide.)
Mr La Rue, Sweden attaches great importance to the right of freedom of expression. We are pleased to see your focus on the safety and protection of media professionals in your report. All over the world, journalists are abducted, silenced and killed. This threat to democracy, human rights and an open society clearly shows the need of a strong mandate for a UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression. Could you please tell us about what your focus for the coming year will be?
The safety and protection of media and journalists, especially in conflict zones, is of utmost importance for Sweden. Abductions, imprisonment, threats to and murder of journalists occur all over the world, not only in conflict areas. Journalists face severe difficulties in a number of countries. Security Council Resolution 1738 expresses deep concern at frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflict. You recommend that further attention be drawn to this resolution. Can you tell us which actions you would recommend states to perform in order to implement the resolution? Also, how can non-conflict countries come to terms with these problems?
Before I finish, let me reiterate Sweden’s support for your mandate, and extend our gratitude for the work you have carried out already and our best wishes for the work ahead of you.
Thank you.