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.

Bangladesh: Authorities must investigate rape of woman journalist urgently
19.03.2025 4 min read

Bangladesh: Authorities must investigate rape of woman journalist urgently

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UN: Ensure gendered approach to the safety of journalists
18.03.2025 2 min read

UN: Ensure gendered approach to the safety of journalists

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Serbia: A year on from attack on journalist, end culture of impunity
14.03.2025 5 min read

Serbia: A year on from attack on journalist, end culture of impunity

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Serbia: Stop targeting and intimidating journalists
10.03.2025 5 min read

Serbia: Stop targeting and intimidating journalists

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Do not enact Republika Srpska’s ‘foreign agent’ law
10.03.2025 5 min read

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Do not enact Republika Srpska’s ‘foreign agent’ law

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Bahrain: Free human rights defender Ali AlHajee now
06.03.2025 6 min read

Bahrain: Free human rights defender Ali AlHajee now

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Egypt: President must pardon Alaa Abd el-Fattah now 
05.03.2025 7 min read

Egypt: President must pardon Alaa Abd el-Fattah now 

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UN: Brazil government must implement protections for defenders
05.03.2025 1 min read

UN: Brazil government must implement protections for defenders

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UK: Open letter in support of Jimmy Lai Bill and journalists jailed abroad  
05.03.2025 4 min read

UK: Open letter in support of Jimmy Lai Bill and journalists jailed abroad  

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