ARTICLE 19

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.

“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”.

“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.”