MP backs rights of journalists to work without being threatened

02/02/2007

Mike Hancock, MP (Lib Dem – Portsmouth South) has backed calls that journalists in all countries should be able to go about their work without threats to their lives and their freedom of expression.

Mike Hancock was speaking in the influential Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Europe (PACE), last week. The resolution passed called, among other things, for member countries to “react swiftly to threats against journalists linked to their work.” Mike said in the debate: “We would have a very sad society if we were afraid to investigate each other, to be critical of each other and to acknowledge the folly of governments or others in the way in which our countries and businesses operate. We have a direct responsibility to honour and support those principles and to ensure that members of our society who take on such a task are fully supported by our words here, but by their governments.”

The Council of Europe (COE) is wider and separate from the European Union. It has 46 participating countries including ones from outside the EU and including Russia. It aims to bring together people from the participating countries to debate cross-border issues and suggest ways forward. Its Parliamentary Assembly brings together Parliamentarians from the member countries and it also has a number of other bodies such as its main decision-making body the Committee of Ministers. Mike is a member of PACE from the UK. The COE has drawn up over 200 treaties or conventions which participating countries are then urged to sign up to – including on Human Rights and cross-cultural co-operation. It also sets out recommendations to governments in reports covering topics such as policy guidelines on such issues as legal matters, health, education, culture and sport.

Commenting afterwards, Mike said: “Like all politicians I sometimes disagree with journalists or what they write. But I defend absolutely their right to go about their work in safety and investigate what politicians, the Government and other people and institutions are doing. They are a vital part of the checks and balances on any country’s society and it is disturbing that there are many countries – perhaps particularly Russia where they cannot go about their part without fearing for their lives. We should also do all we can to try and ensure they are as safe as is at all possible for them to be in war-zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. It is important that we have reports from there so we know what is going on.”

Notes: More information on the Council of Europe can be got at www.coe.int/T/e/Com/about_coe . The main website of the COE parliamentary assembly is at: www.assembly.coe.int . The report of this debate can be viewed at: www.assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/Records/2007/E/0701251000E.htm Mike’s speech is also available at www.mikehancock.co.uk/councilpa.htm