Mexico accepts visit of UN and OAS rapporteurs

The United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) will visit Mexico to examine the freedom of speech situation lived in the country and the conditions to the practice of journalism , in the context of increasing threats and aggressions against those professionals.

The special rapporteurs of the UN on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression , David Kaye , and of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Edison Lanza , requested since March an invitation from the Mexican government to do an official visit, in the face of the difficult conditions detected to guarantee the safe work of journalists.

The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs responded to the request yesterday and arranged the rapporteurs' visit, although there is no settled date yet. It can take place on August , informed to EL UNIVERSAL diplomat sources.

The objectives of Kaye and Lanza's visit are to analyze the situation of journalism, to look for alternatives for the prevention of crimes against journalists, and to study how the attacks are being investigated and sanctioned, in order to prepare a report and issue recommendations to the Mexican government.

Last May 26 , nine international organizations for the defense and promotion of freedom of speech demanded that President Enrique Peña Nieto invited the special rapporteurs to find solutions to the crisis of violence and impunity which affects informers in the country.

"Mr. President, violence must stop," they said in their letter and demanded "precise, effective and immediate" actions to stop violence and impunity "once and for all."

Following the acceptance of the Mexican government, the rapporteurs began to prepare a work agenda for their official visit.

mr