Chapultepec

WHEREAS on March 11th, 1994 one hundred journalists, publishers, constitutionalists, human rights organization members, academics and judicial leaders from all points of the Americas drafted the IAPA's Declaration of Chapultepec in the Castle of the same name in Mexico City, Mexico WHEREAS this Declaration has become the instrument of reference in the identification of breaches of freedom of expression and the defense of the freedoms of expression and the press and the people's right to know WHEREAS the IAPA's Declaration of Chapultepec, adopted in March 1994, defines 10 principles of press freedom and freedom of expression that inspired and were adopted by the OAS’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in 2001 WHEREAS the two declarations became the inspiration for the Democratic Charter issued by the OAS General Assembly in 2001 and which establishes freedom of the press and of expression as human rights essential to sustaining democracy throughout the hemisphere WHEREAS international recognition garnered by the Declaration reaffirms that the Declaration is a commitment to the highest international standards, and not something to be considered a luxury or aspiration WHEREAS since 1994 the Declaration of Chapultepec has been subscribed to by 54 heads of state, numerous judges, legislators and government officials as well as 75,000 citizens from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean WHEREAS in October of 2008 the IAPA adopted Aspirations an addendum to the Declaration of Chapultepec, reflecting the set of ideals this organization and its members aspire to and setting forth guidelines to achieve them WHEREAS March 11 marked the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Chapultepec and its clear guidelines for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in the democracies of our hemisphere WHEREAS principle 1 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states, “No people or society can be free without freedom of expression and of the press. The exercise of this freedom is not something authorities grant, it is an inalienable right of the people” THE MIDYEAR MEETING OF THE IAPA RESOLVES to continue the past 15 years' efforts to honor and uphold, as its prologue mandates, the principles of the Declaration of Chapultepec in defense of the inseparable freedoms of expression and of the press To declare the values of the Declaration of Chapultepec as essential to all peoples and individuals, and as principles that should be incorporated into the constitutions of free nations to note the celebration of Declaration of Chapultepec Month in March and Press Freedom Day on May 3 to encourage IAPA members to use their publications to inform and educate the public on freedom of expression and the values of the Declaration of Chapultepec and how to identify respect for and breaches of its 10 principles.