For several years the hemisphere free-press organization has advocated an end to the impunity that contributes to the news media and individual journalists’ self-imposed self-censorship, thus undermining freedom of the press and the public’s right to know. The IAPA has found that the majority of the more than 300 cases of journalists’ murders since 1987 have gone unpunished.

This free conference will take place July 18–20, 2007, at the Santo Domingo Hilton in the Dominican Republic. Several chief justices from throughout the Americas have already confirmed their plans to attend, as have legal specialists, political leaders, news media editor, and journalists.

Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández will formally open the sessions, which will feature keynote speaker Sergio García Ramírez, president of the Inter-American Human Rights Court.

In panel discussions and inter-disciplinary presentations, participants will examine successful practical applications to combat crimes against journalists, review the legislation on statutes of limitations, extradition treaties and stiffening of penalties, and identify relevant resolutions and court rulings, as well as case law within the inter-American legal system.

The event will also provide grounds for a better understanding between jurists and journalists, an objective that the IAPA initiated at the Hemisphere Summit on Justice and Press Freedom in the Americas held in Washington, DC, in 2002.

This conference coincides with the 10th anniversary of the IAPA conference, held in Guatemala in 1997 and as the IAPA’s Impunity Project, is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

To guarantee your spot in the conference, visit www.impunidad.com or www.sipiapa.org, fill out the registration form and send it to e-mail mjimenez@sipiapa.org or info@sipiapa.org; or to fax 305‑635-2272. The hotel reservation form, also available online, should be sent directly to the hotel.