International Day Of The Imprisoned Writer

EDM number 545 in 2017-19, proposed by Stewart McDonald on 15/11/2017.
Categorised under the topic of Press.

That this House notes that 15 November 2017 marks the Day of the Imprisoned Writer; welcomes the day as an opportunity to recognise the vital role of press freedom to ensure transparency, accountability and the rule of law and to empower people and communities; is concerned by the results of recent World Press Freedom Index 2017, which noted a decline in press freedom in 62.2 per cent of the 180 countries in the Index; further notes with concern that 259 journalists and writers were imprisoned worldwide by the end of 2016; recognises the work of organisations such as Scottish PEN, English PEN, Reporters Without Borders and the Cartoonist Rights Network International in promoting press freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information throughout the world, and where those rights are being violated; and urges the Government to ensure press freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information are protected throughout the world.

This motion has been signed by a total of 22 MPs.