PARIS, CMC—The United Nations Academic, Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO) mentioned Friday it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court docket of Justice (CCJ) to bolster the safety of freedom of expression, journalist security, and different basic freedoms.
“The settlement underscores the shared dedication to upholding democratic ideas and enhancing the rule of legislation all through the Caribbean area,” mentioned UNESCO, including that the settlement “additional strengthens its relationships on freedom of expression and journalists’ security with regional and sub-regional courts on human rights worldwide.”
UNESCO Director-Basic Audrey Azoulay mentioned judges and prosecutors play an important position in defending freedom of expression
“Via this new partnership with the Caribbean Court docket of Justice, we will develop additional our necessary work to coach these important actors and, collectively, construct stronger judicial methods that shield the best to info, contribute to the protection of journalists, and finish impunity for crimes dedicated in opposition to them,” mentioned Azoulay.
CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, mentioned the regional courtroom established in 2001 to interchange the Londn-based Privy Council is “happy to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCO,” including that the MoU “will contribute to strengthening the rule of legislation and can by no means compromise the courtroom’s judicial independence.
“The Court docket appears ahead to our joint pursuit of the initiatives recognized within the memorandum,” he mentioned.
UNESCO mentioned the settlement targets a number of key areas, notably defending rights enshrined in Article 19 of the Common Declaration of Human Rights and different worldwide devices.
“The MoU gives a structured framework for joint initiatives to realize shared objectives, selling cooperative efforts within the areas of freedom of expression, entry to info, and security of journalists,” UNESCO mentioned.
In mild of the escalating threats to journalists worldwide, UNESCO mentioned the settlement additionally helps the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Motion on the Security of Journalists and the Problem of Impunity.
UNESCO mentioned it should collaborate with the CCJ to create safer environments for journalists and media employees throughout the Caribbean area.
Moreover, it mentioned the MoU highlights the judiciary’s position in safeguarding freedom of expression and different human rights, “making certain justice and selling transparency.”
UNESCO mentioned this contains specialised coaching for judicial officers to boost information and capacities on freedom of expression, entry to info, and journalist security.
The Paris-based group mentioned the settlement additionally addresses rising challenges resembling misinformation and disinformation, the impression of synthetic intelligence in judicial methods, and judicial weaponization by way of Strategic Lawsuits In opposition to Public Participation (SLAPPs).
UNESCO mentioned this MoU follows comparable cooperation agreements it signed with different regional courts of human rights, notably with the Inter-American Court docket of Human Rights (October 2019), the African Court docket on Human and Peoples’ Rights (August 2018), the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) Court docket of Justice (Might 2019) and the Jap African Court docket of Justice (December 2021).
“It represents a milestone in joint efforts to bolster judicial capacities and uphold democratic values within the Caribbean area,” UNESCO, including that the MoU aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth, notably Purpose 16, which advocates for peace, justice, and robust establishments.
“The partnership goals to contribute considerably to regional stability and growth by strengthening judicial frameworks,” UNESCO mentioned, stating that the signature of this MoU falls beneath its international efforts “geared toward elevating information and capacities of judicial actors on freedom of expression and security of journalists by way of the event of efficient instruments, regional and on-the-ground workshops and Huge Open On-line Programs (MOOCs).”
UNESCO mentioned these actions, supported by the Multi-donor Program for Freedom of Expression and Security of Journalists, have helped “enhance and reinforce the applying of worldwide requirements on these points, “fostering an atmosphere the place journalists are protected, and the rule of legislation is upheld.”
Since 2013, by way of its flagship initiative, UNESCO has engaged with over 36,000 judicial actors from greater than 160 nations worldwide, the biggest such coaching program of its form all through the UN system.
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