IFEX Statements

IFEX’s submission to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is part of an emerging area of IFEX work on the threats of AI-generated disinformation to freedom of expression and access to information, with ramifications for information integrity, democracy and equality.

IFEX’s submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasises the need to improve the safety and protection of environmental defenders and journalists, while centring communities most vulnerable to climate change, for a fair, inclusive, and equitable transition to a sustainable economy.

It is vital that the interim government commits to establishing democratic governance and to protecting and promoting human rights. This includes investigating the attacks on journalists and holding perpetrators accountable to prevent a culture of impunity.

IFEX is concerned about Pakistan’s increasingly restrictive digital environment, particularly since the February 2024 general elections which were marred with internet and telecommunications shutdowns, and the online censorship and harassment of journalists.

IFEX highlights how the trend of States suppressing protests and the censorship of expressions of solidarity with Palestinians on social media reflects wider systemic challenges to free expression and information that affect democracy, civic space, and human rights.

As a network of organisations that promote and defend freedom of expression and information, IFEX is appalled by the unprecedented toll on journalists and deeply alarmed by the suppression of Palestinian solidarity and ceasefire protests in many places throughout the world.

IFEX highlights the importance of a networked approach to international solidarity to the promotion and protection of civic space and human rights.

IFEX’s submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment builds on an emerging area of IFEX work by drawing on illustrative contexts and initiatives from our network. The submission shows how civil society has been stepping in to resist the targeting of journalists and defenders by States and companies and to address the resulting vacuum of information critical for environmental democracy and action where States have failed.

IFEX calls on Kyrgyz authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations by ceasing the wider use of criminal prosecution and abuse of legislation to systematically target independent media outlets, journalists, and other media professionals.

IFEX and IFEX-ALC are expressing their solidarity with ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America after an escalation in threats against the organisation by Mexico’s president.

IFEX urges the Parliament of Mongolia to uphold the decision of Mongolia’s president to veto the proposed Law on the Protection of Human Rights in Social Media.

IFEX’s submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights how growing trends of online gender-based violence facing women journalists threatens their safety and undermines their rights to free expression and public participation, as well as civil society’s role in addressing these threats.

Clément Nyaletsossi Voule has released a report that integrates many of the issues IFEX raised in its submission, included below, related to protecting the ability of civil society to do its important work.

“Following this morning’s invasion, the work of IMI, their partners and allies, and independent journalists across Ukraine and Russia is needed now more than ever. The safety of journalists, as well as the right to protest needs to be assured.” – IFEX Executive Director Annie Game.

“Amidst this violent crackdown, the international community urgently needs to show solidarity with the people of Myanmar as they struggle for their basic human rights. The muted response we’ve seen so far from the UN and ASEAN is simply not good enough” – IFEX Executive Director Annie Game.

As a global network committed to promoting the right to freedom of expression and working to make the link between that right and all others, IFEX is pleased to see the Nobel Committee making this same connection, particularly regarding the work of both Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov.