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UK SECTION |
The AEJ is active across the continent
of Europe. Please visit its website, www.aej.org,
and check AEJ Newsletters
for information about what it is doing for its members |
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AEJ achieves breakthrough at Council
of Europe to roll back damage to freedom of expression from anti-terrorism
laws in CoE member states |
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London, 30 May 2009 On Friday 29 May, the AEJ won a significant
success in defence of media freedom. A key amendment with a pledge to
review anti-terrorism laws, tabled by William Horsley on behalf of the AEJ as
an Observer, was approved by 46 out of 47 member states at the Reykjavik
ministerial conference on the media. Only Russia abstained. The ministers' resolution on developments in
anti-terrorism legislation in Council of Europe member states and their
impact on freedom of expression and information now reads: [We]
"Resolve to review our national legislation and/or practice on a regular
basis to ensure that any impact of anti-terrorism measures on the right to
freedom of expression and information is consistent with Council of Europe
standards, with particular emphasis on the case law of the European Court of
Human Rights." It will now be up to the national
governments of member states to conduct that review. AEJ
sections have an excellent chance to exert
influence in pressing and advising governments and parliaments to
ensure that this is done thoroughly and effectively to protect the freedom of
journalists to do their legitimate work without undue interference. A forum on anti-terrorism legislation and
its impact on freedom of expression and information, consisting of
representatives of 40 media and civil society organisations including the
AEJ, also met in Reykjavik on 26 May and issued a statement urging
member states to conduct an early, wide-ranging and thorough review of
anti-terrorism measures. Expert evidence given to the Council of Europe has shown
that no country in Europe is blameless: all have enacted laws or measures
since 2001 which limit or threaten media freedom and independence. Ministers'
political declaration, including the Resolution on Anti-Terrorism Laws
Council
of Europe press release General
report on the Rejkjavik conference: Council of Europe Speaking
of Terror, by David Banisar: Council of Europe report prepared for the
conference Council of Europe ministers,
under media pressure, accept their duty to restrain anti-terrorism laws from
breaking media freedom, by William Horsley: New Europe Journalists
welcome European call to review anti-terrorism laws: Report by the
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Freedom
of expression must be protected, says Council of Europe, by Afua Hirsch:
Guardian
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