Components of the right to freedom of expression:
1. The right to hold opinions without interference
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights state that the right to freedom of expression includes the right 'to hold opinions without interference'.
2. The right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protect the …show more content…
Too many people do not know they are entitled to the protection of fundamental rights. In particular, in the world’s rural and marginalized areas there is widespread ignorance about human rights legislation and jurisprudence. Knowledge and awareness of human rights are so essential for the development of self-confidence. It is important for people to understand that their food, health, habitat, education, work and environmental problems can be translated into human rights problems. This is the beginning of a process in which victims assert their rights and claim for remedies. Even if human rights standards were published and people could read them, it is unlikely that they would understand the often technical, abstract and complex legal language in which they are …show more content…
In 1946 and before adopting an human rights declarations the UN General Assembly declared in its first session : 'Freedom of information is a fundamental right and the touchstone of all freedoms to which the United Nations in consecrated'. The right to freedom of expression is contained in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: ' Everyone has the right to the freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers'. It is also contained in in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states:
(1) Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.
(2) Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his