The office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States (OAS) was established by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in 1997 to monitor OAS member states' compliance with the American Convention on Human Rights in the area of freedom of expression.
The office analyses complaints of free expression violations received by the IACHR and advises the commission on cases, including requests for "precautionary measures" from OAS member states to protect journalists and others who face threats or the risk of irreparable harm.
The special rapporteur also makes recommendations to OAS member states to reform laws and regulations that violate free expression rights guaranteed under the convention.
The special rapporteur participates in education, training and other activities to promote the right to freedom of expression and support local journalists and human rights defenders, and conducts fact-finding missions to investigate reports of abuses in OAS member states.
Each year, they issue a joint declaration calling attention to worldwide free expression concerns.