Freedom of expression is indeed under threat in Europe. The right to challenge and seek to change the actions of authorities through protest and organization is under pressure. Of particular concern are restrictions on climate activism and pro-Palestinian protest, as well as efforts to silence activists through the courts.
One of the worst offenders is the UK, where a series of measures have led to the arrest, prosecution, and jailing of protestors for peaceful activism—including under terrorism laws. Germany and France have disproportionately restricted pro-Palestine protests, and climate activists in both countries have faced criminal sanction. In Greece, the authorities have repeatedly prosecuted and restricted activists assisting migrants, with similar cases in Italy.
What these cases have in common is governments that seem indifferent to the impact of their restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association. They also appear indifferent to the wider harms these restrictions cause, not only to democracy at home, but also to universal human rights norms at a time when civic space is under threat around the world.
Human rights groups, UN experts, and the Council of Europe are among those sounding the alarm. European states should act to reverse this damaging trend.
