OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
The office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression of the
The office analyses complaints of free expression violations received by the IACHR and advises the commission on cases, including requests for "precautionary measures" from OAS member states to protect
In cases involving a serious violation of freedom of expression, the Special Rapporteur issues press releases about the information it has received, expresses its concern to the authorities, and makes recommendations for re-instating this right. In other cases, the special rapporteur directly contacts government authorities to obtain further information and/or to request that the government take measures to rectify the harm that has been inflicted.
The special rapporteur also makes recommendations to OAS member states to reform laws and regulations that violate free expression rights guaranteed under the convention.
The special rapporteur participates in education, training and other activities to promote the right to freedom of expression and support local journalists and
Each year, the rapporteur issues an annual report detailing the state of press freedom and freedom of expression in each country in the Americas.
The OAS Rapporteur is one of the four International Mechanisms for Promoting Freedom of Expression, the others being the
Special rapporteurs
- Dr. Santiago A. Canton (Argentina): 1998–2002
- Dr. Eduardo Bertoni (Argentina): 2002–2006
- Dr. Ignacio Álvarez (Venezuela): 2006–2008
- Dr. Catalina Botero (Colombia): 2008–2014
- Dr. Edison Lanza (Uruguay): 2014–2020
- Dr. Pedro Vaca Villarreal (Colombia): 2020–present