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.

29.07.2019 3 min read

Kyrgyzstan: Threats to free expression must be addressed in UPR

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29.07.2019 7 min read

Turkey: Joint UPR submission on threats to freedom of expression

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26.07.2019 3 min read

Nigeria: Death of journalist Precious Owolabi while covering a demonstration must be investigated

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23.07.2019 3 min read

Russia: Those responsible for murder of LGBTQI rights activist Yelena Grigoryeva must brought to justice

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Gezi Park’s second hearing confirms lack of rule of law in Turkey
22.07.2019 5 min read

Gezi Park’s second hearing confirms lack of rule of law in Turkey

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22.07.2019 4 min read

Joint call for new European Commission President to prioritise press freedom

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17.07.2019 5 min read

Turkey: Release Osman Kavala and drop charges against all defendants in Gezi Park trial

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12.07.2019 1 min read

Kazakhstan: UPR submission on threats to freedom of expression

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Turkey: Think-tank report escalates harassment of journalists
10.07.2019 4 min read

Turkey: Think-tank report escalates harassment of journalists

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