Joint Statements

IFEX joins partner human rights and journalist organisations in calling on the government to cease its attacks against peaceful protesters, stop targeting journalists and news channels, and halt its crackdown on online speech.

Fifty rights groups urge the European Commission to adopt an ambitious approach while preparing its draft proposal for the European Democracy Shield.

Civil society groups express alarm over the spate of violent attacks on journalists and human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression.

Although the government says the ban is to protect children and privacy, rights groups say it “significantly exceeds proportionality” and should be revoked.

Recently introduced amendments to the Broadcasting Law strengthen the regulator’s censorship powers and restrict so-called “foreign powers” from funding broadcasters.

IFEX joins human rights organisations calling for the immediate release of the detained Bahraini human rights defender and former political prisoner.

Press freedom groups condemn Republika Srpska’s adoption of the legislation, which they say will be used to target government critics.

Signatories urge the government of Nepal and Parliament to refrain from developing and implementing legislation that empowers government with overreaching powers, including through overbroad and vague provisions that could be misused and abused to target activists, journalists, critics and other perceived opponents.

Rights groups warn that Algeria’s repression of civic space, marked by a brutal crackdown on free expression, is steadily eroding human rights and they call on UNHRC members to act.

Recent weeks have seen journalists receive death threats, and several police raids on CSOs that work on human rights and access to information.

Civil society groups urged the interim Bangladesh government to reconsider some provisions in the proposed Cyber Protection Ordinance and the Personal Data Protection Ordinance.

Civil society groups reiterated their objection to having government representatives in the board of the proposed Malaysian Media Council.

IFEX joins numerous other signatories in urging the Georgian authorities to release Mzia immediately, drop the disproportionate charges against her, and conduct an independent investigation into the allegations of mistreatment against her.

Given Egypt’s human rights record, the draft Code could legalise surveillance by granting authorities broad powers to intercept communications and target critics.

Protests were among the most dangerous environments for journalists in 2024, with 271 press freedom violations recorded. Over 50% of these were physical attacks on journalists, often by state agents.

IFEX joins rights groups urging EU leaders to press Bahrain to free EU nationals Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad after nearly 14 years of unjust detention and human rights abuses.