Thank you Mr. President,

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, and my own country the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

Our countries firmly support the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. 

The freedom to express oneself is not only fundamental in its own right.

Our voice also allows us to stand up for what is important and to empower others to do the same. Thereby enabling the enjoyment of all human rights. 

We thank the Special Rapporteur for the light that she shines through her latest report on the various challenges, including the variety of physical, digital and legal threats journalists, other media workers, and human rights defenders face when operating in exile. 

We are alarmed at attempts to silence journalists on foreign soil.  
This not only violates human rights but also raises questions as to how countries can guarantee the safety of journalists and human rights defenders in exile. 

We remain equally concerned about reports of skyrocketing online attacks and harassment of women journalists. 

Free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media plays a vital role in democratic and inclusive societies, by informing the public, and holding those in power to account. We would like to pay tribute to those journalists and media workers who continue this vital work even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

Thank you