A/HRC/53/25
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
19 April 2023
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fifty-third session
19 June–14 July 2023
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Sustainable development and freedom of expression: why
voice matters
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur explores the linkages between the right
to freedom of expression, including the right to information, and sustainable development.
She introduces a paradigm shift in looking at sustainable development through the lens of
freedom of expression. While recognizing important progress made in normative standards
for access to information, the Special Rapporteur highlights that more is needed to ensure
that the voices of those most disadvantaged in society are heard. She argues that only when
both access to information and the effective participation of youth, Indigenous communities,
the media, human rights defenders, civil society actors and others are fulfilled will the
promise to leave no one behind be realized. As world leaders prepare to gather at the United
Nations Headquarters in September 2023 to review progress on meeting the Sustainable
Development Goals, the Special Rapporteur calls for renewed political commitment to
uphold freedom of expression, an enabler of sustainable development.
GE.23-06239 (E)
180423 190423