Finland defends freedom of speech in the OSCE region
Press release 66/2008
29 February, 2008
Secretary of State Pertti Torstila expressed on Friday Finland's support to the activities of the OSCE in promoting freedom of speech at a seminar celebrating the tenth anniversary of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.
"The Finnish OSCE Chairmanship gives it full support to the activities of the Media Representative Miklos Haraszti and his Office", said Torstila in the opening session of the seminar. "Too many times journalists are being harassed and attacked physically for carrying out their professional duties. The Finnish Chairmanship on its part will seek to ensure support for the invaluable work of these brave people", he said.
During its Chairmanship Finland emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association as fundamental rights and tools for the implementation of human rights in general.
Reino Paasilinna, Member of the European Parliament, was among the panellists of the seminar celebrating the tenth Anniversary of the Media Represenative's Office.
The office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media was established by a decision of the OSCE Ministerial Council in 1997. Hungarian Miklos Haraszti has held the office since 2004. His duties include monitoring freedom of expression in the OSCE participating States. The Media Representative draws attention to violations of freedom of expression and supports the OSCE participating States in implementing their commitments in this field.
Further information: Ambassador Aleksi Härkönen, Head of Finland's OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, tel. +358 9 1605 5496, +358 400 330 406; Ann-Mari Fröberg, Second Secretary, Finland's OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, tel. +358 9 1605 5493, +358 400 183 421