A/HRC/26/30 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 2 July 2014 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-sixth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue* Summary In the present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 16/4, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the realization of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in electoral contexts, paying particular attention to the establishment and enforcement of legal instruments regulating political communications. He details the human rights framework applicable to the question of freedom of opinion and expression in political communications and electoral processes. He then describes common violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in electoral periods. Finally, he provides recommendations on the alignment of national legal frameworks to the most relevant international human rights standards, emphasizing the importance of promoting pluralism, transparency and accountability. * Late submission. GE.14-07150 (E) *1407150*

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