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.

Kyrgyzstan: Drop charges against 11 journalists and human rights defenders
09.10.2024 5 min read

Kyrgyzstan: Drop charges against 11 journalists and human rights defenders

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Italy: Urgent appeal for defamation reform
08.10.2024 2 min read

Italy: Urgent appeal for defamation reform

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Georgia: Polarisation and climate of fear
04.10.2024 12 min read

Georgia: Polarisation and climate of fear

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Podcast ‘Silenced’: Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji Jr
03.10.2024 1 min read

Podcast ‘Silenced’: Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji Jr

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Türkiye: End political attacks on journalists
02.10.2024 2 min read

Türkiye: End political attacks on journalists

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Egypt: Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released at the end of his prison sentence
25.09.2024 6 min read

Egypt: Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released at the end of his prison sentence

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Croatia: Great challenges ahead to improve media freedom
25.09.2024 7 min read

Croatia: Great challenges ahead to improve media freedom

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Podcast ‘Silenced’: Afghan journalist Sanjar Sohail
19.09.2024 1 min read

Podcast ‘Silenced’: Afghan journalist Sanjar Sohail

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Malaysia: Drive policy with open dialogue – not threats and intimidation
13.09.2024 5 min read

Malaysia: Drive policy with open dialogue – not threats and intimidation

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