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.

Türkiye: Arrest warrant for journalist Nedim Türfent is unlawful and unjust
04.07.2025 6 min read

Türkiye: Arrest warrant for journalist Nedim Türfent is unlawful and unjust

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Palestine: Protect journalists under attack in Gaza and West Bank
03.07.2025 3 min read

Palestine: Protect journalists under attack in Gaza and West Bank

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Türkiye: Release journalists detained in the Artvin investigation
02.07.2025 3 min read

Türkiye: Release journalists detained in the Artvin investigation

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Türkiye: Release journalist Fatih Altaylı
25.06.2025 4 min read

Türkiye: Release journalist Fatih Altaylı

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Egypt: End transnational repression against exiled journalist Basma Mostafa
24.06.2025 5 min read

Egypt: End transnational repression against exiled journalist Basma Mostafa

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Belarus: Siarhei Tsikhanouski released after five years – now free them all
23.06.2025 4 min read

Belarus: Siarhei Tsikhanouski released after five years – now free them all

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Malaysia: Federal Court rules in favour of women human rights defenders
19.06.2025 3 min read

Malaysia: Federal Court rules in favour of women human rights defenders

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Georgia: Independent media face a new wave of repression
17.06.2025 6 min read

Georgia: Independent media face a new wave of repression

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UN: Safety of journalists among top priorities at the Human Rights Council
16.06.2025 8 min read

UN: Safety of journalists among top priorities at the Human Rights Council

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