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.

Mali: Release of journalist and activist a positive move for civic space
17.10.2025 9 min read

Mali: Release of journalist and activist a positive move for civic space

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Italy: Car bomb attack on Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom
17.10.2025 5 min read

Italy: Car bomb attack on Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom

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Malaysia: Financial support to young women human rights defenders
17.10.2025 6 min read

Malaysia: Financial support to young women human rights defenders

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China: Release Swedish publisher Gui Minhai now
15.10.2025 12 min read

China: Release Swedish publisher Gui Minhai now

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Western Balkans: EU president must raise media freedom crisis during visit
13.10.2025 6 min read

Western Balkans: EU president must raise media freedom crisis during visit

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Georgia: Global community must demand safeguards for independent journalism
10.10.2025 4 min read

Georgia: Global community must demand safeguards for independent journalism

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Israel: Release detained Sumud Flotilla journalists and activists
02.10.2025 4 min read

Israel: Release detained Sumud Flotilla journalists and activists

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Nigeria: Free expression is key to strengthen sovereignty
01.10.2025 2 min read

Nigeria: Free expression is key to strengthen sovereignty

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Morocco: End crackdown on peaceful protests
01.10.2025 7 min read

Morocco: End crackdown on peaceful protests

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