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.

Myanmar: Plans to carry out arbitrary executions must halt immediately
16.06.2022 11 min read

Myanmar: Plans to carry out arbitrary executions must halt immediately

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Jo Glanville: Spyware threatens everyone’s right to free expression 
14.06.2022 13 min read

Jo Glanville: Spyware threatens everyone’s right to free expression 

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UN: 50th session of the Human Rights Council begins in Geneva
14.06.2022 9 min read

UN: 50th session of the Human Rights Council begins in Geneva

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Iran: Meta must overhaul Persian-language content moderation on Instagram
09.06.2022 14 min read

Iran: Meta must overhaul Persian-language content moderation on Instagram

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Kenya: Police who fired at protesters must be arrested and held to account
07.06.2022 5 min read

Kenya: Police who fired at protesters must be arrested and held to account

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Podcast: ‘Silenced’ with Mexican journalist Sergio Aguayo
06.06.2022 3 min read

Podcast: ‘Silenced’ with Mexican journalist Sergio Aguayo

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UK: National Security Bill threatens free expression
06.06.2022 3 min read

UK: National Security Bill threatens free expression

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Belarus: Renewed call for prisoners’ release as new trial gets underway
01.06.2022 4 min read

Belarus: Renewed call for prisoners’ release as new trial gets underway

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Mexico: Call for investigation as number of murdered journalists rises
01.06.2022 11 min read

Mexico: Call for investigation as number of murdered journalists rises

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