[eccr] ECCR Statement on the War in Iraq

Title: ECCR Statement on the War in Iraq

Statement by the
European Consortium for Communications Research (ECCR)

Communication research and media practice indicates that the right to freedom of _expression_ and freedom of access to information continues to be violated in countries around the world through direct censorship, discrimination and intimidation. At times of war truth and freedom are the first casualties.

In the spirit of Article 19 of the UN International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights the right to freedom of opinion and _expression_, including the right to seek, receive and impart information is a recognized human right and as such must be protected.

The European Consortium for Communications Research (ECCR) is highly concerned with the current state of armed conflict as led by the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies and its effect on information and discussion. This concern is only strengthened by the absence of the legitimacy of approval from the United Nations.

The ECCR opposes any practice and attempt to manipulate journalists, academics and any citizen in their efforts to express opinion, gather and distribute information and provide sources for such information and opinion. 

The ECCR also insists that the so-called "fight against terrorism" should in no way endanger the protection of fundamental human rights and must be based on international cooperation and legitimacy.

Moreover, the protection of the right to freedom of _expression_, freedom of access to information and its dissemination must be protected at all times. 

Finally, the European Consortium for Communications Research (ECCR) calls upon the media to respect the right of fair representation of all parties involved, and to avoid uncritical and dichotomous positions and the exclusion of the variety of opinions within each party.


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ECCR ­ 
European Consortium for Communications Research
Secretariat: P.O.Box 106,   B-1210 Brussels 21, Belgium
Tel.: +32-2-412 42 47                        Fax.: +32-2-412 42 00
Email: <(freenet002 /at/ pi.be)> or <(Rico.Lie /at/ pi.be)>
URL: <http://www.eccr.info>
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