Free Speech
Freedom of speech is a bellwether: how any society tolerates those with minority, disfavored, or even obnoxious views will often speak to its performance on human rights more generally. In international law, access to information and free expression are two sides of the same coin, and both have found tremendous accelerators in the Internet and other forms of digital communication. At the same time, efforts to control speech and information are also accelerating, by both governments and private actors in the form of censorship, restrictions on access, and violent acts directed against those whose views or queries are seen as somehow dangerous or wrong. From our earliest days, when we were called The Fund for Free Expression, we have fought all forms of repression of speech, in all media, around the globe.
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Critics Under Attack
Harassment and Detention of Opponents, Rights Defenders and Journalists Ahead of Elections in Nicaragua
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Burundi: Entrenched Repression of Civil Society, Media
End Abusive Prosecutions; Lift Restrictions on Free Speech
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Poland: Escalating Threats to Women Activists
Investigate, Protect Rights Defenders, End Hateful Rhetoric
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News
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Hong Kong: Beijing Dismantles a Free Society
One Year Under National Security Law Devastates Human Rights
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New ‘Undesirables’ Law Expands Activists’ Danger Zone
While most eyes were on Geneva, the Duma intensified its crackdown on dissent.
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Myanmar: Stop Holding Family, Friends Hostage
Detaining People to Coerce Others is Collective Punishment
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Belarus: Drop Charges Against Sports Group Founders
Sports Governing Bodies Should Call for an End to Criminalizing Athlete Rights Defenders
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Pakistan: Escalating Attacks on Journalists
Authorities Should Stop Stifling Dissent, Protect the Media
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China: Account for Tiananmen Massacre
32 Years Since Crackdown; Commemorations Banned in Hong Kong, Macau
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Qatar: Kenyan Labor Rights Activist in Solitary Confinement
Subjected to Enforced Disappearance, Denied a Lawyer
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Thailand: Child Prosecuted for Insulting Monarchy
Drop Politically Motivated Charges Against Children
