ARTICLE 19

Articles by ARTICLE 19

Members of the National Legislative Assembly attend the first meeting at Parliament, in Bangkok,Thailand, 8 August 2014, PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP via Getty Images

Thailand: Groups say NGO law would strike severe blow to human rights

Several global groups said a draft law in Thailand threatens to muzzle civil society groups and non-government organizations.

People hold placards and photos of killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia during a protest outside the police headquarters, in Valletta, Malta, 3 December 2019, ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images

Malta: Coalition of international press freedom NGOs submission to the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia

IFEX has joined a coalition of free expression organisations in making a submission to the Public Inquiry. The submission details Malta’s relevant international obligations to uphold freedom of expression, the threats Caruana Galizia faced during her lifetime which paved the way for her assassination and continuing threats to the safety of journalists in Malta.

Crosses with the names of journalists and human rights defenders who were murdered in the first three months of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's presidency, Mexico City, Mexico, 22 February 2019, Carlos Tischler/Getty Images

Mexico: Attack on ARTICLE 19 by President López Obrador highlights his grim record on impunity

President López Obrador has launched an open attack on the staff and activities of ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America. His comments followed the free expression organisation’s report detailing attacks against journalists and violations of the right to freedom of expression in the country.

A pro-democracy protester wearing chains around his neck makes the three-finger salute outside the Criminal Court, Bangkok, Thailand, 9 March 2021, JACK TAYLOR/AFP via Getty Images

ARTICLE 19 submits UPR report on Thailand’s state of freedom of expression

For the third time, Thailand will undergo a Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In a detailed UPR submission, ARTICLE 19 highlighted the state of freedom of expression in Thailand.

The Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Justice, in Strasbourg, France, 14 October 2019, Utku Ucrak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Over 100 rights groups call on the Council of Europe to act on the growing threat of SLAPPs

“A self-standing recommendation should be issued with clear guidance on measures needed to discourage SLAPPs and dismiss them at an early stage, to sanction those who use SLAPPs or threaten to do so, and to provide financial and legal support to those targeted by SLAPPs”.

A session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, 19 June 2020, Xinhua via Getty Images

HRC46: UN Member States must protect the independence of Special Procedures

“We are deeply concerned by continued attacks on the Special Procedures and efforts to undermine their independence. We urge all states to affirm their commitment to human rights and the effectiveness of the international human rights system, by rejecting and condemning these efforts.”

Freedom of expression in decline in France

“ARTICLE 19 is concerned about a series of draft laws and decisions in France that significantly impede the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information. These include the Global Security Bill, the dissolution of certain non-governmental organisations, and the Bill to strengthen “respect for republican principles.”

Demonstrators and Indian Youth Congress activists wear masks depicting environmental activist Disha Ravi, during a protest against her arrest and a recent fuel price hike, New Delhi, India, 22 February 2021, JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

India: Government and tech firms should uphold privacy, free speech

Several civil society groups have expressed concern over the actions of the Indian government that violate free expression and privacy rights as authorities intensify the suppression of criticism related to the ongoing farmers’ protests.