Mr. Speaker, today is World Press Freedom Day. Established in 1993, this day serves as an occasion to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made in the struggle for free expression.
This year's theme, violence against journalists, highlights a serious problem in many countries. Last year, 27 journalists were murdered in the course of their duties, among them the former editor of the Indo-Canadian Times . Journalists have faced arbitrary arrests, threats, aggression, harassment and even torture. Currently, at least 117 journalists are behind bars in 25 countries.
In Canada, freedom of the press is a right guaranteed by section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We sometimes take this freedom for granted, but we must never forget its importance to our democratic society.
Today we call on governments everywhere to respect their commitments to press freedom, and especially those who still deny their citizens access to a fully free press.
I salute the courage, integrity and commitment of all journalists.