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.

Guinea: Call for human rights and democracy to be protected following military coup
06.09.2021 3 min read

Guinea: Call for human rights and democracy to be protected following military coup

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Thailand: Government must do more to protect protesters from violence
01.09.2021 25 min read

Thailand: Government must do more to protect protesters from violence

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Russia: European Court confirms authorities failed to investigate murder of journalist
31.08.2021 3 min read

Russia: European Court confirms authorities failed to investigate murder of journalist

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Afghanistan: Civil society calls on international actors in Afghanistan to secure digital identity and biometric data immediately
25.08.2021 10 min read

Afghanistan: Civil society calls on international actors in Afghanistan to secure digital identity and biometric data immediately

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International: G7 must protect and evacuate journalists and media workers in Afghanistan
23.08.2021 14 min read

International: G7 must protect and evacuate journalists and media workers in Afghanistan

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Belarus: Amidst escalating crackdown, international community must stand with the people
19.08.2021 8 min read

Belarus: Amidst escalating crackdown, international community must stand with the people

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Belarus: Expert briefing: Threat to expression intensifies with possible liquidation of the Belarusian Association of Journalists
11.08.2021 1 min read

Belarus: Expert briefing: Threat to expression intensifies with possible liquidation of the Belarusian Association of Journalists

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Cambodia: Human Rights Council must urge action to uphold the right to freedom of expression
05.08.2021 1 min read

Cambodia: Human Rights Council must urge action to uphold the right to freedom of expression

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Malaysia: Police visits to the homes of peaceful protesters are excessive
05.08.2021 2 min read

Malaysia: Police visits to the homes of peaceful protesters are excessive

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