Free Speech

Freedom of speech is a bellwether: how any society tolerates those with minority, disfavored, or even obnoxious views will often speak to its performance on human rights more generally. In international law, access to information and free expression are two sides of the same coin, and both have found tremendous accelerators in the Internet and other forms of digital communication. At the same time, efforts to control speech and information are also accelerating, by both governments and private actors in the form of censorship, restrictions on access, and violent acts directed against those whose views or queries are seen as somehow dangerous or wrong. From our earliest days, when we were called The Fund for Free Expression, we have fought all forms of repression of speech, in all media, around the globe.

Asia

We, the undersigned national and international organizations and communities, call on the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) to immediately discard the repressive draft Law on Public Order and uphold its obligations under international human rights law.

August 13, 2020
Statement
Civil Society Organizations Call for the Draft Law on Public Order to be Immediately Discarded
Europe/Central Asia

August 12, 2020
News Release
Kyrgyzstan: Don’t Return Asylum Seeker to Uzbekistan
Europe/Central Asia

August 11, 2020
News Release
Belarus: Violence, Abuse in Response to Election Protests

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July 30, 2020 Report

Belarus: Crackdown on Political Activists, Journalists

Arrests, Criminal Charges, Police Beatings Ahead of August 9 Presidential Vote
July 29, 2020 Report

China: New Hong Kong Law a Roadmap for Repression

Security Legislation Already Having Chilling Effect on Fundamental Freedoms
June 15, 2020 Report

“We Might Call You in at Any Time”

Free Speech Under Threat in Iraq
May 14, 2020 Report

China: Tibet Anti-Crime Campaign Silences Dissent

At Least 51 Tibetans Convicted for Peaceful Speech