ARTICLE 19

The authorities’ actions are reinforcing the already widespread atmosphere of self-censorship, preventing participation in governance and public affairs, and extinguishing an important safeguard for government accountability.

Vietnam authorities have harassed and detained several independent candidates ahead of the National Assembly election. These candidates have used social media to announce their candidacy and share their thoughts on the country’s political situation.

The extent to which there is a growing trend of intolerance to speech at universities is unclear. On campuses, freedom of expression issues are best dealt with by existing legislation and by the universities and Student Unions themselves.

Since the start of 2021, at least seven people have been tried and sentenced under Article 117, which criminalises ‘making, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’.

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

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.

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.

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.