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IFLA Council speaks out in favour of worldwide Access to Information and Freedom of Expression

Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995

From: Sophie.Felfoldi@ifla.org

The Importance of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression

The 1995 IFLA General Conference in Istanbul affirmed its commitment to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as stated by the 55th IFLA General Conference in 1989. During the IFLA General Conference, Council expressed its deep concern about increasing infringements on free expression and the free flow of information in many parts of the world, and the mounting cases of physical abuse and even murders that are being recorded. Attacks are often directed against writers, journalists, publishers and editors, and those responsible may be governments, groups or parties representing extreme political or religious views.

The IFLA General Conference firmly condemned all violent and other restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information and free debate. These are fundamental rights that enable people and societies to protect and enhance democracy and culture. The IFLA General Conference recognized that restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information limit the ability of libraries and librarians to serve the needs and interests of their users and therefore, calls upon all governments to ensure the right to freedom of expression and the free flow of information for their citizens and to protect them from violence, intimidation and threat of punishment in pursuit of these rights.

IFLA Committee on Access to Information Freedom of Expression launched

In order to develop a strategy to effectively propogate and protect worldwide Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, IFLA has established an ad hoc IFLA Committee on Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, chaired by Tony Evans (UK). The Committee will be made up of 30 appointed members from all over the world. Its mandate is to gather the views of IFLA's members, review expert advice and advise the wider IFLA community accordingly. Formal meetings have been scheduled to take place in Beijing, China in 1996 and in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1997.

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