GENEVA (7 November 2013) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue will visit Italy from 11 to 18 November 2013 to assess the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.
“I intend to study the initiatives taken by Italy to promote freedom of opinion and expression as well as the main obstacles encountered,” Mr. La Rue said. “I will also gather information on issues such as the existing regulations for media, telecommunications and internet and the initiatives taken to address hate speech .”
The human rights expert, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Italian Government, will meet Government officials, including members of the legislative and judicial branches. He will also hold discussions with representatives from civil society organizations, journalists and press organizations, and with experts working in areas related to his mandate.
After this visit, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a report on the key findings of his mission to Italy and make recommendations on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the country. His report will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in June 2014.
Mr. La Rue will host a press conference to share his preliminary conclusions and observations on Monday, 18 November 2013 at 10:30 a.m at the Societa’ Italiana per L’Organizzazione Internazionale- UNA Italy, Piazza San Marco, 51, Rome.
