Strategic Litigation in International and Domestic Fora - Panel II: Impact Litigation Project in the Americas Francisco Uson was prosecuted and sentenced to five and a half years in prison for “dishonoring and disrespecting the armed forces of Venezuela” during a media interview in May 2004. His case is the first before the Inter-American system to deal with criminalization of speech against a state organ at a time when more governments in Latin America are resorting to it, silencing criticism and curtailing democratic debates. Francisco Uson Ramirez is the victim in this case. He will discuss the alleged offense, the trial and conviction and his experience before international courts. Dean Claudio Grossman led the Project’s litigation efforts before the Inter-American Commission and Court; Alejandra Gonza was the staff attorney leading the efforts in the Uson case at the Office of the Special Rapporteur within the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; Gonzalo Himiob Santome was Mr. Uson’s criminal lawyer and a key witness in his case before the Inter-American system; Agustina Del Campo was one of the lawyers representing Mr. Uson before the Inter-American system and will moderate the discussion. (Javascript is required to view Mediasite content)