Law programme

The ARTICLE 19 Law Programme aims to provide a solid legal underpinning for ARTICLE 19´s work.

We believe that the law is a key instrument in implementing freedom of expression in practice. We therefore work to promote the highest standards in the field, both at the international level and within countries. While freedom of expression is not an absolute right, even well-meaning laws and regulations can undermine it. We guard against this by:

• providing legal assessments of the state of international law
• compiling reports on best practice
• lobbying for best practice to be implemented at every level.

We make sure laws meet international legal standards by:

• analysing and making recommendations for the improvement of both draft and existing laws
• litigating in precedent-setting cases in the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRCm), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and in national courts. We do this through amicus curiae briefs, acting as counsel and providing assistance in legal arguments
• lobbying for international human rights monitoring mechanisms to set international standards
• producing key documents on international standards
• contributing to policy development.