Safety of journalists and human rights defenders

Journalists and human rights defenders around the world face major risks as a result of their work. Governments and other powerful actors, seeking to escape scrutiny and stifle dissent, often respond to critical reporting or activism with attempts to silence them.

Threats, surveillance, attacks, arbitrary arrest and detention, and, in the most grave cases, enforced disappearance or killings, are too often the cost of reporting the truth. The protection of journalists and human rights defenders, and ending impunity for attacks against them, is a global priority for safeguarding freedom of expression.

States are under an obligation to prevent, protect against, and prosecute attacks against journalists and human rights defenders. Creating a safe and enabling environment for their work necessitates legal reform, the creation of special protection mechanisms, and protocols to guide effective investigations and prosecutions where attacks occur. A free press and active civil society are essential to ensure the public’s right to know, so that governments and institutions can be held accountable.

Brazil: Protect democracy and carry out a thorough investigation now
09.01.2023 7 min read

Brazil: Protect democracy and carry out a thorough investigation now

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International: Remembering Annabelle Sreberny
05.01.2023 2 min read

International: Remembering Annabelle Sreberny

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Italy: Improving protections for freedom of expression and information
21.12.2022 13 min read

Italy: Improving protections for freedom of expression and information

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UAE: Egypt critic Sherif Osman will face torture if extradited
20.12.2022 5 min read

UAE: Egypt critic Sherif Osman will face torture if extradited

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Iran: Families forced to remain silent as second man executed
16.12.2022 9 min read

Iran: Families forced to remain silent as second man executed

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Somalia: Drop charges against journalist and support free speech
16.12.2022 10 min read

Somalia: Drop charges against journalist and support free speech

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Kyrgyzstan: Gagging free speech accelerates democratic backsliding
16.12.2022 6 min read

Kyrgyzstan: Gagging free speech accelerates democratic backsliding

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Thailand: Denying the demand for democracy
15.12.2022 3 min read

Thailand: Denying the demand for democracy

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France: Security agency summons journalists for alleged national secrecy violations
13.12.2022 6 min read

France: Security agency summons journalists for alleged national secrecy violations

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