UN Human Rights Committee adopts new General Comment on Freedom of Expression

On Friday 21 July, the United Nations Human Rights Committee adopted its new General Comment on the Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.  The General Comment was guided through the Committee by its "rapporteur" (principal drafter), Professor Michael O’Flaherty, HRLC Co-Director (a member of the body since 2004).  The general comment constitutes the most authoritative commentary on what is one of the most challenged and sensitive of topics in internatuional human rights law.  During the two years of negotiation of the text, the Human Rights Committee had to consider over 350 drafting proposals from 75 governments, non-governmental organisations and others.

Interviews with Professor O'Flaherty on the General Comment can be found at following links:

- http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2011/07/anti-blasphemy-and-defamation-laws-curtail-free-speech/

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSvvAnPH7i8

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rb4gUob9Tw

Michael O'Flaherty's School of Law Staff Profile