WHEREAS

in Venezuela there prevails a systematic, widespread government policy aimed at restricting the freedom of speech and of the press, and penalizing the dissident opinions of journalists and citizens

WHEREAS

previous OAS Secretary General César Gaviria describes, in his final report on Venezuela, an institutional siege that is evidenced in the executive branch’s open control of all areas of government, which jeopardizes proper democratic functioning and the rule of law, as well as the institutional balance necessary to safeguard human rights, especially the freedom of expression

WHEREAS

within this context the Venezuelan National Assembly is considering a proposed Law on Social Accountability of Radio and Television, known as the Content Law — based on the ideological precedents set by the Constitutional Division of the Supreme Court in Ruling 1013 and 1942 — and, under the pretext of protecting children from violent programs and news, is establishing a system to control news content and instituting prior restraint, to be exercised by the government at its own discretion and without judicial review, against any program that it deems a threat to national security

WHEREAS

the Venezuelan government — especially the administration and the Supreme Court — maintains a contemptuous, openly defiant stance in relation to the provisions of international human rights treaties and decisions of international human rights organizations, particularly those related to the freedom of expression and of the press and with regard to journalists’ right to life and personal safety

WHEREAS

civil and criminal court actions continue to be pursued by government officials against newspapers and journalists, based on the so-called insult laws

WHEREAS

Principle 10 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states, “No news medium nor journalist may be punished for publishing the truth or criticizing or denouncing the government”

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE IAPA RESOLVES

to condemn the aforementioned incidents and reiterate its profound concern over the current policy of the Venezuelan government, which is aimed at restricting the exercise of free speech and freedom of the press

to urge the Venezuelan National Assembly to reconsider the content of the proposed Law of Social Accountability of Radio and Television and modify the provisions thereof in accordance with the principles and standards on free speech found in the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, in precedents of the Inter-American Commision and Court on Human Rights, and as extensively described in the Declaration of Chapultepec.

to recognize once again the courage of the Venezuelan press and journalists for their daring and disciplined struggle to preserve freedom of speech and freedom of the press

to address the Secretary General of the OAS and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and inform them of the content of this resolution.