News and Events
U.S. Voices Concern Over Shutdown of RCTV and Freedom of Expression in Venezuela
Remarks by Ambassador Carmen Lomellin
U.S. Permanent Representative
OAS Permanent Council
January 27, 2010
Mr. Chairman,
The United States would like to associate itself with the comments of the representative from Canada concerning this latest assault on freedom of expression in Venezuela.
Nothing is more central—and indeed more precious and dear—to the preservation of democracy than freedom of expression.
Limitations on the right to free expression –in any form -- are often little more than thinly disguised attacks on democracy itself.
It is the responsibility of all governments in our hemisphere, as parties to the Inter American Democratic Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, the American Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to create an environment that supports and encourages freedom of expression.
The United States supports the Secretary General’s expressions of concern about the latest closures of media outlets in Venezuela, as well as the recent comments by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Commissioner for Venezuelan Affairs, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, and Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Catalina Botero, who have urged that guarantees of freedom of expression and due process in Venezuela be reestablished.
We note with some irony that the Venezuelan delegation was among the most outspoken here a few months ago in condemning actions of the de facto regime in Honduras to close opposition outlets Radio Globo and Canal 36, citing internal security.
We also condemned those restrictions on freedom of expression in Honduras. But we note that they were temporary, and the decisions were subequently reversed following our condemnation. The stations are back on the air.
In contrast, these latest media restrictions in Venezuela appear to be permanent.
It is vital that we the democracies of the Americas condemn restrictions on freedom of expression wherever they take place, and for whatever ideological justification.
We recall the immortal words of the French enlightenment philosopher Voltaire: “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend with my life your right to say it.”