Press Release: Conference focuses on free speech and right to information in times of crisis

Protection and promotion of freedom of expression and information have always been high on the agenda of the Council of Europe. Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the related case-law of the European Court of Human Rights are the foundation on which the Council of Europe bases its work aimed at guaranteeing this essential right.
The right to freedom of expression and information, however, very often needs to be balanced against other human rights. This has always been of great importance but becomes especially acute in times of crises - situations that have not been uncommon in South-Eastern Europe in the past 15 years.
To address this issue, the Council of Europe organised a conference in Strasbourg, 13-14 October 2005 on freedom of expression, in particular in times of crisis. Its focus was on South-Eastern Europe but it also looked at the exercise of the right to information and freedom of expression in recent major crises in other parts of the world.