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.

Europe: Erosion of media freedom casts a shadow on safety of journalists
28.04.2022 3 min read

Europe: Erosion of media freedom casts a shadow on safety of journalists

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Podcast: ‘Silenced’ Episode 3 with Maria Baronova
28.04.2022 1 min read

Podcast: ‘Silenced’ Episode 3 with Maria Baronova

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Kyrgyzstan: End assault on free expression and independent media
27.04.2022 8 min read

Kyrgyzstan: End assault on free expression and independent media

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EU: Anti-SLAPPs initiative is a landmark step in the right direction
27.04.2022 3 min read

EU: Anti-SLAPPs initiative is a landmark step in the right direction

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Turkey: Rule of law under fire as activists handed down crippling sentences
27.04.2022 9 min read

Turkey: Rule of law under fire as activists handed down crippling sentences

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Turkey: End judicial harassment of Osman Kavala and his co-defendants
20.04.2022 8 min read

Turkey: End judicial harassment of Osman Kavala and his co-defendants

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The Netherlands: Protecting journalists as threats rise
13.04.2022 4 min read

The Netherlands: Protecting journalists as threats rise

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Podcast: ‘Silenced’ Episode 2 with Olga Tokariuk
12.04.2022 1 min read

Podcast: ‘Silenced’ Episode 2 with Olga Tokariuk

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Perugia Declaration for Ukraine: Journalists must be protected
11.04.2022 16 min read

Perugia Declaration for Ukraine: Journalists must be protected

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