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.

Malaysia: Travel ban for Zunar and other HRDs a violation of right to freedom of expression
18.10.2016 4 min read

Malaysia: Travel ban for Zunar and other HRDs a violation of right to freedom of expression

Click here to go to article
Turkey: More closures of independent media outlets under extended state of emergency
30.09.2016 3 min read

Turkey: More closures of independent media outlets under extended state of emergency

Click here to go to article
30.09.2016 5 min read


Russia: Drop charges against blogger Anton Nossik

Click here to go to article
Russia: Investigative Journalist and Activist Grigory Pasko Attacked
29.09.2016 1 min read

Russia: Investigative Journalist and Activist Grigory Pasko Attacked

Click here to go to article
UN HRC: Resolution on Safety of Journalists Breaks New Ground
29.09.2016 15 min read

UN HRC: Resolution on Safety of Journalists Breaks New Ground

Click here to go to article
Russian Investigative Journalist and Activist Grigory Pasko Attacked
29.09.2016 1 min read

Russian Investigative Journalist and Activist Grigory Pasko Attacked

Click here to go to article
Turkey: “You cannot report the news under the state of emergency”
29.09.2016 4 min read

Turkey: “You cannot report the news under the state of emergency”

Click here to go to article
28.09.2016 3 min read

UN HRC: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia

Click here to go to article
28.09.2016 4 min read

UN HRC: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Somalia

Click here to go to article