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Tutta questa premessa ci serve per rilevare come sia passata del tutto inosservata presso i nostri media, tutti presi come sono dalla caccia alle streghe, la 102ª sessione del Comitato per i diritti umani, riunitasi a Ginevra nello scorso mese di luglio 2011. Ne è venuto fuori un «Nuovo commento generale sulla libertà di opinione e di espressione» che noi pubblichiamo integralmente nel suo testo inglese, dandone poi successivamente una traduzione italiana. Il documento si può scaricare in formato pdf andando al link dell’Università di Padova sopra indicato. Qui ne diamo il testo in forma digitata, affinché possa entrare nei motori di ricerca. Alla pubblicazione del testo seguiranno poi tutti i possibili apparati di analisi e di studio. Vorremo che il primo a leggere il testo fosse proprio il Presidente della Repubblica, che avrebbe il compito istituzione di difendere e tutelare le libertà fondamentali dei cittadini italiani, in primis il diritto di libera espressione del pensiero e quindi di critica politica in un momento in cui si può ragionevolmente ritenere che non mai stata più bassa la stima che i cittadini hanno della classe politica e del Parlamento in tutti i 150 di storia d’Italia, appena celebrati lo scorso anno 2011.
Nella causa civile che sto conducendo contro un grande quotidiano italiano vi è al suo esordio il rifiuto di pubblicare una mia lettera di smentita, forse un po’ diversa dalle solite, dove paradossalmente ringraziavo il suo Direttore per avermi fatto comprendere, direttamente sulla mia pelle, una distinzione che ogni giorno che passa offre nuove conferme: l’opposizione di fatto esistente fra libertà di stampa e libertà di pensiero e di espressione. La libertà di stampa è il potere di cui si servono forze antidemocratiche per diffamare i cittadini, per manipolare la verità, per disinformare, per rendere i cittadini inconsapevoli dei loro diritti ed infine per sprofondarli nelle guerre, che mai i popoli vogliono, ma che sempre sono loro imposte con l’inganno e la menzogna. Dicevo nella mia lettera non pubblicata che “libertà di pensiero” è anche quella del cittadino analfabeta, che certamente non può scrivere sui giornali. Dicevo ancora in altra occasione che i diritti fondamentali, come quello di cui noi stiamo qui parlando, o si difendono nelle loro situazioni marginali, cioè garantendoli al più povero e spovveduto dei cittadini, o in realtà essi non esistono e sono soltanto un pezzo di carta che la retorica presidenziale può violentare in tutte le salse, in ogni discorso ufficiale per il popolo che non può replicare.
Nella causa civile che sto conducendo contro un grande quotidiano italiano vi è al suo esordio il rifiuto di pubblicare una mia lettera di smentita, forse un po’ diversa dalle solite, dove paradossalmente ringraziavo il suo Direttore per avermi fatto comprendere, direttamente sulla mia pelle, una distinzione che ogni giorno che passa offre nuove conferme: l’opposizione di fatto esistente fra libertà di stampa e libertà di pensiero e di espressione. La libertà di stampa è il potere di cui si servono forze antidemocratiche per diffamare i cittadini, per manipolare la verità, per disinformare, per rendere i cittadini inconsapevoli dei loro diritti ed infine per sprofondarli nelle guerre, che mai i popoli vogliono, ma che sempre sono loro imposte con l’inganno e la menzogna. Dicevo nella mia lettera non pubblicata che “libertà di pensiero” è anche quella del cittadino analfabeta, che certamente non può scrivere sui giornali. Dicevo ancora in altra occasione che i diritti fondamentali, come quello di cui noi stiamo qui parlando, o si difendono nelle loro situazioni marginali, cioè garantendoli al più povero e spovveduto dei cittadini, o in realtà essi non esistono e sono soltanto un pezzo di carta che la retorica presidenziale può violentare in tutte le salse, in ogni discorso ufficiale per il popolo che non può replicare.
CIVIUM LIBERTAS
Human Right Committee
One Hundred ans second session
Geneva, 11-29 July 2011
General comment N° 34
Article 19: Freedoms of opinion and expression
General remarks
1.This general comment replaces general comment N° 10 (nineteenth session).
2. Freedom of opinion and freedom of expression are indispensable conditions for the full development of the person. They are essential for any society (1). They constitute the foundation stone for every free and democratic society. The two freedoms are closely related, with freedom of expression providing the vehicle for the exchange and development of opinions.
3. Freedom of expression is a necessary condition for the realisation of the principles of transparency and accountability that are, in turn, essential for the promotion and protection of human rights.
4. Among the other article that contain guarantees for freedom of opinion and/or expression, are article 18, 17, 25 and 27. The freedoms of opinion and expression form a basis for the full enjoyment of a wide range of other human rights. For instance, freedom of expression is integral to the enjoyment of the rights to freedon of assembly and association, and the exercise of the right to vote.
5. Taking account of the specific terms of article 19, paragraph 1, as well as the relationship of opinion and thought (article 18), a reservation to paragraph 1 would be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Covenant (2). Furthermore, although freedom of opinion is not listed among those rights that may not be derogated from pursuant to the provisions of article 4 of the Covenant, it is recalled that, «in those provisions of the Covenant that are not listed in article 4, paragraph 2, there are elements that in the Committe’s opinion cannot be made subject to lawful derogation under article 4» (3). Freedom of opinion is one such element, since it can never become necessary to derogate from it during a state of emergency (4).
6. Taking account of the relationship of freedom of expression to the other rights in the Covenant, while reservations to particular elements of article 19, paragraph 2 may be acceptable, a general reservation to the rights set out in paragraph 2 would be incompatible with the object and the purpose of the Covenant (5).
7. The obligation to respect freedoms of opinion and expression is binding on every State party as a whole. All branches of the State (executive, legislative and judicial) and other public or governmental authorities, at whatever level – national, regional or local – are in a position to engage the responsibility of the State party (6). Such responsibility may also be incurred by a State party under some circumstances in respect of acts of semi-State entities (7). The obligation also requires States parties to ensure that persons are protected from any acts of private persons or entities that would impair the enjoyment of the freedoms of opinion and expression to the extent that these Covenant rights are amenable to application between private persons or entities (8).
8. States parties are required to ensure that the rights contained in article 19 of the Covenant are given effect to in the domestic law of the State, in a manner consistent with the guidance provided by the Committee in its general comment N° 31 on the nature of the general legal obligation imposed on States parties to the Covenant. It is recalled that States parties should provide the Committee, in accordance with reports submitted pursuant to article 40, with the relevant domestic legal rules, administrative practices and judicial decisions, as well as relevant policy level and other sectorial practices relating to the rights protected by article 19, taking into account the issues discussed in the present general comment. They should also include information on remedies available if those rights are violated.
Freedom of opinion
9. Paragraph 1 of article 19 requires protection of the right to hold opinions without interference. This is a right to which the Covenant permits no exception or restriction. Freedom of opinion extends to the right to change an opinion whenever and for whatever reason a person so freely chooses. No person may be subject to the impairment of any rights under the Covenant on the basis of his or her actual, perceived or supposed opinions. All forms of opinion are protected, including opinions of a political, scientific, historic, moral or religious nature. It is incompatible with paragraph 1 to criminalise the holding of an opinion (9). The harassment, intimidation or stigmatisation of a person, including arrest, detention, trial or imprisonment for reasons of the opinions they may hold, constitutes a violation of article 19, paragraph 1 (10).
10. Any form of effort to coerce the holding or not holding of any opinion is prohibited (11). Freedom to express one’s opinion necessarily includes freedom not to express one’s opinion.
Freedom of expression
11. Paragraph 2 requires States parties to guarantee the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds regardless of frontiers. This right includes the expression and receipt of communications of every form of idea and opinion capable of transmission to others, subject to the provisions in article 19, paragraph 3, and article 20 (12). It includes political discourse (13), commentary on one’s own (14) and on public affairs (15), canvassing (16), discussion of human rights (17), journalism (18), cultural and artistic expression (19), teaching (20), and religious discourse (21). It may also include commercial advertising. The scope of paragraph 2 embraces even expression that may be regarded as deeply offensive (22), although such expression may be restricted in accordance with the provisions of article 19, paragraph 3 and article 20.
12. Paragraph 2 protects all forms of expression and the means of their dissemination. Such forms include spoken, written and sign language and such non-verbal expression as images and objects of art (23). Means of expression include books, newspapers (24), pamphlets (25), posters, banners (26), dress and legal submissions (27). They include all forms of audio-visual as well as electronic and internet-based modes of expression.
Freedom of expression and the media
13. A free, uncensored and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other Covenant rights. It constitutes one of the corner stones of a democratic society (28). The Covenant embraces a right whereby the media may receive information on the basis of which it can carry out its function (29). The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion (30). The public also has a corresponding right to receive media output (31).
Article 19: Freedoms of opinion and expression
General remarks
1.This general comment replaces general comment N° 10 (nineteenth session).
2. Freedom of opinion and freedom of expression are indispensable conditions for the full development of the person. They are essential for any society (1). They constitute the foundation stone for every free and democratic society. The two freedoms are closely related, with freedom of expression providing the vehicle for the exchange and development of opinions.
3. Freedom of expression is a necessary condition for the realisation of the principles of transparency and accountability that are, in turn, essential for the promotion and protection of human rights.
4. Among the other article that contain guarantees for freedom of opinion and/or expression, are article 18, 17, 25 and 27. The freedoms of opinion and expression form a basis for the full enjoyment of a wide range of other human rights. For instance, freedom of expression is integral to the enjoyment of the rights to freedon of assembly and association, and the exercise of the right to vote.
5. Taking account of the specific terms of article 19, paragraph 1, as well as the relationship of opinion and thought (article 18), a reservation to paragraph 1 would be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Covenant (2). Furthermore, although freedom of opinion is not listed among those rights that may not be derogated from pursuant to the provisions of article 4 of the Covenant, it is recalled that, «in those provisions of the Covenant that are not listed in article 4, paragraph 2, there are elements that in the Committe’s opinion cannot be made subject to lawful derogation under article 4» (3). Freedom of opinion is one such element, since it can never become necessary to derogate from it during a state of emergency (4).
6. Taking account of the relationship of freedom of expression to the other rights in the Covenant, while reservations to particular elements of article 19, paragraph 2 may be acceptable, a general reservation to the rights set out in paragraph 2 would be incompatible with the object and the purpose of the Covenant (5).
7. The obligation to respect freedoms of opinion and expression is binding on every State party as a whole. All branches of the State (executive, legislative and judicial) and other public or governmental authorities, at whatever level – national, regional or local – are in a position to engage the responsibility of the State party (6). Such responsibility may also be incurred by a State party under some circumstances in respect of acts of semi-State entities (7). The obligation also requires States parties to ensure that persons are protected from any acts of private persons or entities that would impair the enjoyment of the freedoms of opinion and expression to the extent that these Covenant rights are amenable to application between private persons or entities (8).
8. States parties are required to ensure that the rights contained in article 19 of the Covenant are given effect to in the domestic law of the State, in a manner consistent with the guidance provided by the Committee in its general comment N° 31 on the nature of the general legal obligation imposed on States parties to the Covenant. It is recalled that States parties should provide the Committee, in accordance with reports submitted pursuant to article 40, with the relevant domestic legal rules, administrative practices and judicial decisions, as well as relevant policy level and other sectorial practices relating to the rights protected by article 19, taking into account the issues discussed in the present general comment. They should also include information on remedies available if those rights are violated.
Freedom of opinion
9. Paragraph 1 of article 19 requires protection of the right to hold opinions without interference. This is a right to which the Covenant permits no exception or restriction. Freedom of opinion extends to the right to change an opinion whenever and for whatever reason a person so freely chooses. No person may be subject to the impairment of any rights under the Covenant on the basis of his or her actual, perceived or supposed opinions. All forms of opinion are protected, including opinions of a political, scientific, historic, moral or religious nature. It is incompatible with paragraph 1 to criminalise the holding of an opinion (9). The harassment, intimidation or stigmatisation of a person, including arrest, detention, trial or imprisonment for reasons of the opinions they may hold, constitutes a violation of article 19, paragraph 1 (10).
10. Any form of effort to coerce the holding or not holding of any opinion is prohibited (11). Freedom to express one’s opinion necessarily includes freedom not to express one’s opinion.
Freedom of expression
11. Paragraph 2 requires States parties to guarantee the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds regardless of frontiers. This right includes the expression and receipt of communications of every form of idea and opinion capable of transmission to others, subject to the provisions in article 19, paragraph 3, and article 20 (12). It includes political discourse (13), commentary on one’s own (14) and on public affairs (15), canvassing (16), discussion of human rights (17), journalism (18), cultural and artistic expression (19), teaching (20), and religious discourse (21). It may also include commercial advertising. The scope of paragraph 2 embraces even expression that may be regarded as deeply offensive (22), although such expression may be restricted in accordance with the provisions of article 19, paragraph 3 and article 20.
12. Paragraph 2 protects all forms of expression and the means of their dissemination. Such forms include spoken, written and sign language and such non-verbal expression as images and objects of art (23). Means of expression include books, newspapers (24), pamphlets (25), posters, banners (26), dress and legal submissions (27). They include all forms of audio-visual as well as electronic and internet-based modes of expression.
Freedom of expression and the media
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