ARTICLE 19 and English PEN welcome the opportunity to contribute to the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Kingdom (UK). This submission focuses on the UK’s compliance with its international human rights obligations, in particular in respect of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of information, as well as the rights to privacy, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. The section entitled ‘Freedom of Information’ was drafted in consultation with the Campaign for Freedom of Information.
This submission addresses the following areas of concern:
- Surveillance and Investigatory Powers Bill
- Proposed Legislation on “Extremism”
- Defamation Law
- Media Regulation
- Social Media Prosecutions
- Freedom of Information
- Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
- Freedom of Association
- The Human Rights Act