Press release 

Meeting on an African Treaty on Freedom of Expression 

African freedom of expression advocacy organisations will organise a conference to plan for an African Treaty on Freedom of Expression in Accra on June 25 to 27, 2007, just days before the African Union heads of states Summit.

This was announced after a consultation meeting organised jointly on May 18, 2007 in Accra (Ghana) by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO), the Centre for Research Education & Development of Rights in Africa (CREDO) and the Media Rights Agenda (MRA, Lagos).

A number of other freedom of expression organisations participated in the consultation. They included Article 19, Panos Institute West Africa (PIWA-Dakar), , Journalistes en Danger (JED-Kinshasa) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).

The June meeting will involve most or all of NAFEO's 20-plus members, representatives of other freedom of expression organisations, academics and legal experts. The African Union Commission and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of Expression of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights are expected to participate in the conference. 

Issued by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Accra, May 23, 2007

For more information, please contact

MFWA

Tel : +233-21-242470

Fax : +233-21-221084

Email : mfwa@africaonline.com.gh