Irene Khan
@Irenekhan
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#HumanRights activist, gender =, #freespeech, #justice for all, global citizen w roots in 🇧🇩 UN Special Rapporteur Freedom of Opinion & Expression
Joined May 2009
The digital world is not a #HumanRights free zone. Under international law #FreedomofOpinion and #FreedomOfExpression enjoy the same protection online as they do offline. #UN75 #DigitalCooperation.
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Shocking news! #Switzerland is a member of Freedom Online Coalition! I urge🇨🇭to urgently investigate and release @AliAbunimah of @elctrncintifada
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Honored to be appointed by @UN_HRC as first woman Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression & look forward to engaging w all stakeholders to build on great work of @davidakaye to protect #freespeech online & offline. @UN_SPExperts #HumanRights.
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News of @SuellaBraverman seeking to exclude scrutiny by @guardiannews @BBCNews of her #Rwanda trip is not only bad for #refugees and #HumanRights but also for 🇬🇧 credibility as lead member of @MediaFreedomC
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👏👏👏on interim govt led by Prof. Yunus but why NO #women in the consultations? Interim govt of #Bangladesh must be inclusive and committed to #HumanRights, accountability & transparency. @Yunus_Centre #GenderEquality @dailystarnews @ProthomAlo
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👇🏼#journalist #Frenchie Cumpio #HumanRights defenders Marielle Domequil & Alexander Abinguna in Tacloban City Jail. We are only int’l visitors so far allowed by #Philippines govt to visit them! Arrested in Feb 2020, trial still dragging on. How long must they wait to be free?!
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👇🏼I call on both #Kenya & Pakistan to step up efforts to fully investigate the killing of Arshad Sharif almost 2 yrs ago and bring perpetrators to justice. #TransnationalRepression of journalists must be condemned. @javerias.
#Kenya 🇰🇪: UN expert @irenekhan calls for full accountability for Pakistani journalist’s killing after landmark ruling, urging Kenyan and Pakistani authorities to urgently step up efforts to bring to justice all those responsible.
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Failing to protect @RanaAyoub from online attacks and instead blocking her account! how about complying with your international human rights obligations, @Twitter?
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My latest report on disinformation and freedom of opinion and expression during armed conflicts is now available here 👉🏽. I will present the report to #UNGA on 14 October 📺@UNWebTV. #disinformation #freedomofopinion #freedomofexpression #freedex #conflict
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🇨🇱 Pres @GabrielBoric opens #WorldPressFreedomDay he was disrupted by spontaneous demo, he handled calmly w dialogue, no security or use of force. THIS is respect for #FreedomofExpression. Take note 🇺🇸 European pol leaders, @Columbia Pres Shafik & acad leaders #StudentProtests
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Deeply disturbing news of attacks on #journalists & activists in #Bangladesh. On International #HumanRights Day I reiterate my call to the government to abolish the #DigitalSecurityAct & uphold #FreedomofExpression online and offline.
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#HumanRights reporting is not a crime. I urge 🇧🇩 govt to release Adilur & Nasiruddin @odhikar_bd immediately, and stop attacks, arrests & #disinformation ag HRDs & journalists who are exposing human rights abuses, corruption & misuse of power.
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Thanks to strong public pressure @Twitter reinstated journalists’ accounts. @antonioguterres @volker_turk, @EU_Commission, govts & civil society must continue to press until @elonmusk acknowledges the obligation to respect #HumanRights incl #FreedomOfExpression & #PressFreedom.
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Indeed! I am on your side!.
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#Gender based violence, hate speech & disinfo is most extreme form of censorship used to chill & kill #FreedomOfExpression of #women. There is not just a digital divide but multiply divides to overcome, I told #UNGA #GenderJustice
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👇🏼I join my colleagues @MaryLawlorhrds & @cvoule to highlight deeply disturbing #HumanRights situation in #Bangladesh🇧🇩
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Great news Julian #Assange will be freed on plea deal but not good news that 🇺🇸 failed to drop charges under #EspionageAct which remains a threat to #MediaFreedom.
🚨The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes reports that WikiLeaks founder Julian #Assange will be freed from prison in a plea deal with the United States Justice Department. “Julian Assange faced a prosecution that had grave implications for journalists and press freedom.
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As a proud citizen of #Bangladesh I congratulate #StudentProtests leaders for their determination to bring real change. #Accountability #Justice #HumanRights for all @Yunus_Centre .
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See👇🏼 joint call w @WGBizHRs @clement_voule @MaryLawlorhrds to ban dangerous, irresponsible, unlawful sale & transfer of spyware and adopt robust rules to end #humanrights free zone as recommended 2 yrs ago by my predecessor @davidakaye
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To mark #16Days I published today personal experiences of 11 #Women #JournalistsToo who have suffered sexual & gender based violence & harassment for just doing their job. Impunity is unacceptable. Decisive action is imperative.
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👇🏼we denounce #Gaza_Genocide in the making & demand #CeasefireInGazaNOW.
#Gaza: UN experts point to evidence of genocide in the making, call for @UN protective presence in besieged enclave. “Failure to implement #CeasefireNowInGaza risks situation spiralling towards genocide conducted with 21st Century methods of warfare”:
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As war breaks out in #Ukraine safety of all #journalists must be guaranteed by all parties. Independent, free, pluralistic #media is the best antidote against #disinformation in war or peace.
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Saddened & distressed at death of detained political activist Bung Thaluwang while on hunger strike to demand #justice reform & end of detention of pol prisoners in #Thailand. Urge 🇹🇭 to abolish lese majeste & detention/prosecution for exercising #FreedomofExpression.
Political activist Bung Thaluwang passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest, as reported by news sources. According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, the 28-year-old had been detained on a lese-majeste charge since January 26, when her bail was revoked due to violating
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Very encouraging to see strong commitment to #HumanRights for all by the interim govt of #Bangladesh under leadership of Prof Yunus @Yunus_Centre.
Promising phone call with @ChiefAdviserGoB Muhammad Yunus. I assured him of @UNHumanRights Office's solidarity with the people of #Bangladesh & our support to the interim govt at this pivotal time. An inclusive, human rights-centred approach will ensure this transition succeeds.
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Alarming news! #Venezuela must respond immediately on the disappearance of Carlos Correa, Exec Director of @EspacioPublico.
Today marks one week since the disappearance of Carlos Correa, Executive Director of IFEX member @EspacioPublico. We call on the Venezuelan state to immediately disclose his whereabouts and to grant him full and immediate freedom. #DóndeEstáCarlosCorrea
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I am presenting my new report on #disinformation and #freedomofExpression to the UN #HumanRights Council . Next steps: action! . 🎥 Watch live . 📖 Read .#HRC47 #Act4Equal #GenerationEquality
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For first time in 27 years of its existence, this mandate of @UN_SPExperts will produce a report exclusively devoted to #GenderJustice and #FreedomOfExpression. I invite all stakeholders to respond to my call for contributions 👉
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Find out more about my new report on #disinformation and freedom of opinion & expression. Thank you for all the contributions. Please share the findings & next: action!. 📖 Read the report . #HRC47 #ActforEqual #GenerationEquality #freedex
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Deeply alarming that Nina @wiczipedia leading champion of safe #Internet for women is herself being targeted w gendered hate speech, #TFGBV & #disinformation with impunity! High time politicians & platforms are held to account
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Alarmed by violence and killing of protestors in #Bangladesh. Will the govt heed this wake-up call to address deep rooted inequalities and respect #HumanRights?
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Targeting journalists is a war crime - doubly so as it is also an attempt to block reporting on other war crimes. #Israel must be brought to account. More journalists have been killed in #Gaza than any other conflict in over 30 years. #JournalismIsNoTACrime.@pressfreedom.
“It was not random, but direct targeting on purpose. Fadi was wearing his press uniform.”
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Mushtaq’s death in prison casts a shadow on Bangladesh‘s 50th anniversary. We fought for freedom, not to be gagged. #Bangladesh govt should repeal #DigitalSecurityAct and release immediately cartoonist Ahmed Kabir #Kishore.
Global rights bodies and campaigners of freedom of expression have said writer Mushtaq Ahmed should not have been detained in the first place and that his death raises serious questions about the treatment of prisoners unjustly held in Bangladeshi jails.
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#Bangladesh should immediately withdraw charges against @ProthomAlo editor and journalist and abolish #DigitalSecurityAct which is an instrument of oppression of #MediaFreedom. #JournalismIsNotACrime.
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Looking forward to contributions to my report on #FreedomofExpression & gender dimensions of #disinformation from civil society, experts, companies, States, nat’l institutions, internat’l orgs and others. Deadline 7 July 2023
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Together we will prevail! @mariaressa @carolecadwalla @PVacaV @OSCE_RFoM #FreedomofExpression
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via @NYTimes @Twitter threatens #PressFreedom - damning evidence of social media as #SpeechPolice @davidakaye @gioasempre @article19org
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Rarely have journalists paid such a heavy price for just doing their job as those in Gaza now. Targeted attacks and killings of journalists are war crimes. We urge the @CIJ_ICJ and the @IntlCrimCourt to pay attention to the #crimesagainstjournalists.
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Disturbing news of suppression of #freedomofexpression and independent #journalists in the #Maldives ahead of elections.@ahmedshaheed @amnesty @OHCHRAsia.
🇲🇻 The crackdown on journalists and an amendment of the General Elections Act proposing limits on elections coverage by only government approved media outlets severely curtail independent reporting and media freedom ahead of the September national elections in the #Maldives.
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On my way to #Hungary to examine state of #MediaFreedom freedom of opinion and #FreedomofExpression @UN_SPExperts
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!!!!URGENT!!! call for contributions to my next report closing on 24 Jan 2022. Looking forward to hearing from you on opportunities, challenges and threats to media in the digital age
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🗓️Reminder: For my next thematic report on journalists in exile I am requesting inputs from stakeholders. Please read the instructions for submission here:
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Women journalists are subjected to gender-based and highly sexualized online and offline threats and attacks. A new report #JournalistsToo shares the stories of .11 #WomenJournalists from 10 countries:. #16Days.#OrangeTheWorld
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#Israel’s ban on @AlJazeera is unlawful, disproportionate, unjustified attack on #FreedomofExpression, & #MediaFreedom, despicable attempt to block news of #Gaza conflict, depriving Palestinians of their #Right2Info.
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See my call w @AgnesCallamard to set up int’l independent mechanism to investigate attacks on journalists and #EndImpunity.
1/15 Journalists help us know & understand the world. To do their job, they need to be safe. As we commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists #IDEI2020, @irenekhan & ISHR call for media freedom & safety of journalists .
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@acaruanagalizia #Malta government must promptly and fully implement the recommendations of the public inquiry into the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia to restore public trust in #ruleoflaw and ensure #safetyofjournalists.
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Censorship kills scholarship. I was honored to present to #UNGA the report on #academic freedom drafted by my predecessor @davidakaye.
Scholars and academic institutions must be given the freedom to pursue and disseminate knowledge without harassment, repression, threats and attacks by state or non-state actors – UN expert @Irenekhan at #UNGA. Learn more:
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Warmest congrats to @mariaressa & Dmitry Muratov for #NobelPeacePrize and 🙏 to @NobelPrize for recognizing #FreedomofExpression #MediaFreedom #safetyofjournalists.
BREAKING NEWS: .The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. #NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize
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More reports👇🏼emerge of new forms of gendered censorship that undermine #FreedomofExpression of women human rights defenders - time for @UN_HRC to take up issue of electronic #surveillance as major #HumanRights threat
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Addressing @UN Third Committee to present my priorities as @UN_SPExperts on #FreedomofOpinion #FreedomOfExpression and also report of @davidakaye on #academicfreedom watch
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On #WorldPressFreedomDay I salute the courage of #journalists & call on governments to redouble efforts to protect #PressFreedom & ensure #safetyofjournalists.
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The Gvt of #Philippines should closely examine the recent report of #CPJ, #FPU and #RSF on the murder of radio journalist #GerryOrtega. Prompt action from the Gvt is essential to demonstrate its professed commitment to end impunity for crimes against #journalists.
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#Alexei Navalny should have immediate access to his own doctors and be evacuated abroad on medical and humanitarian grounds without delay.
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Interested in my report on #Disinformation #HumanRights and #Freedom of Expression?. Follow the thread below to see what we're discussing at #UNHRC47.
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The world must not stand by and watch #Navalny die. See👇🏼our call to #Russia to allow him immediate access to his own doctors and med evacuation abroad.
UN experts express alarm at deteriorating health situation of detained Russian Government critic #AlexeiNavalny, and call for his urgent medical evacuation from #Russia. Read more:
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Debating the Facebook @OversightBoard : What lessons for human rights protection and digital platform governance?. Follow this thread on the critical discussion on #freedex with @Maina_Kiai @MarietjeSchaake @NicoKrisch & @hickspeggy hosted by @AHDCentre @IHEID
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On 3rd anniversary of assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Malta PM @RobertAbela_MT must respect independence of Public Enquiry & call of @UN_SPExperts @PieterOmtzigt @SophieintVeld @article19org @IFEX @AEJ @globalfreemedia et al for truth & accountability w’out interference.
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Christophe Deloire was an untiring champion of #MediaFreedom. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues @RSF_inter. He will be sorely missed by us all.
Christophe Deloire, Director General of Reporters Without Borders, died on Saturday 8 June at the age of 53. He was a tireless defender of free, independent and pluralistic journalism on every continent.
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Marcos Jr. administration of #Philippines has shown positive signals to improve conditions, but addressing the serious and deep-seated human rights issues will require more fundamental and sustained reforms. Findings & recs at the end of my official visit.
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My key message #HRC47 interactive dialogue with 80+ governments 👇🏼 #MediaFreedom digital literacy, smart #socialmedia regulation are antidote to #disinformation - more transparency fm companies, more respect for #FreedomofExpression fm States.
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Congrats on great #RightsCon 2020 and delighted to accept invitation as new Spec Rapporteur #FoE to join @accessnow spaces.
We welcome @Irenekhan as the new Special Rapporteur for #FoE and extend an early invitation to join our #RightsCon and @accessnow spaces!.
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We call for end to violence against protestors in #Belarus & denounce internet shutdown as politically motivated to suppress rights, inherently disproportionate & incompatible w #FreedomofExpression @AgnesCallamard @cvoule @MaryLawlorhrds Anais Matin
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Journalism is not a crime! Thank you @DrikBangladesh and @shahidul for your courageous fight to end impunity for attacks on #journalists and to seek justice for #ShireenAbuAkleh
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I reiterate the call from @UN_SPExperts to dismiss the spurious charges against @NobelPrize winner Muhammad Yunus @Yunus_Centre and his associates.
Bangladesh: Tomorrow Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, his associate Nur Jahan Begum and others sentenced under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 will appear before court for the renewal of their bail. If their bail is not renewed tomorrow, they will face jail as per their sentence of
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Looking forward to meeting civil society, #HumanRights during my visit (23 Jan to 2 Feb) to assess state of freedom of expression in 🇵🇭 #Philippines.
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Honrada de conocer a la Subsecretaria @marthadelgado @sre_mx y reafirmar el compromiso de @IDLO para fortalecer los #DerechosHumanos en #Mexico a través del #EstadodeDerecho e instituciones efectivas.
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Honored to join @Amnesty SG @AgnesCallamard @saadhammadi & others to highlight travesty of #Bangladesh #DigitalSecurityAct & urge its reform or repeal.
Watch this live on Facebook on Amnesty South Asia, as @Irenekhan @Barrister_Jyoti and @AgnesCallamard speak.
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Thank you @AOC for exposing the culture of silence in high political and public circles which allows abusive and dehumanizing language to be used against women with impunity.
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I call on #Sudan to implement recommendations of #UPR40 & uphold #FreedomofExpression, safety of journalists & human rights defenders, rights of women & children.
After having been postponed in November, the #UPR review of #Sudan will take place on Tuesday, 1 February! Follow us live on Twitter with #UPR40 during the review for updates!! #uprcountdown
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Discussing human rights is exercise of #FreedomOfExpression, not threat to security. I join @NiAolainF @NilsMelzer @MaryLawlorhrds @NilsMelzer & others to condemn #Egypt crackdown on #HumanRights activists and demand immediate release of @EIPR officials.
UN experts condemn #Egypt for arbitrary arrest and detention of Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah & Mohammad Basheer – 3 rights defenders from the same organisation – apparently in retaliation for discussing #HumanRights issues with foreign ambassadors 👉
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👇🏼we condemn #Taliban ban on education of women and girls in #Afghanistan as a crime against humanity.
#Afghanistan: The #Taliban decision to suspend women & girls from universities is a flagrant violation of their human rights & may amount to a crime against humanity - UN experts. De facto authorities must immediately restore access to education. 👉
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What the Israeli forces are doing is leading to indiscriminate and massive killing of civilians including journalists. There needs to be strong accountability and political measures to bring about a #CeaseFireInGaza. Part 1 of my interview with @AJEnglish.
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With thanks to @gioasempre for a good discussion on opportunities and challenges of #FreedomofExpression in the digital age, and looking forward to fruitful collaboration on the upcoming #GlobalDigitalCompact.
Fruitful discussion between Tech Envoy @gioasempre and UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression @Irenekhan . Grateful for the valuable contributions to the #GlobalDigitalCompact from the Special Rapporteurs and mechanisms on human rights
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Looking forward to discussing what can be done to #disinformation while upholding #FreedomofExpression w @mariaressa @VeraJourova @article19org and others.
What holistic, positive measures should be taken by States to tackle disinformation?. How should social media companies reform their business models to combat disinformation?. Join our #HRC47 side event at 2PM CEST on 5 July. Find out more and register:
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All parties to the conflict are obliged by int’l law to protect #journalists and ensure their safe evacuation.
Journalists who wanted to leave Stepanakert in Nagorno-#Karabakh were able to reach #Armenia or are about to do so via a secure corridor. The exact number of those still there is impossible to determine at this stage. RSF calls for their safety to be ensured.
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👇🏼we condemn execution of #Mohsen_Shekari and attacks on peaceful protestors in #Iran.
🇮🇷 #Iran: UN experts condemn today’s execution of 23-year-old demonstrator #Mohsen_Shekari convicted in the context of nation-wide protests and raise the alarm about Iranian artists charged for crimes carrying the death penalty. Read 👇.
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Congrats to @RSF_Inter for seeking justice in Germany under universal jurisdiction for #Khashoggi and other journalists in Saudi Arabia. #SafetyofJournalists is universal concern, must be protected by #universaljustice.
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@davidakaye ‘s legacy is incredible. It will be an honor to build on it working with you and others.
We will miss you @davidakaye! Thanks for the amazing work! Will never forget how brave u were presenting the report on encryption&anonymity to the Council. Welcome @Irenekhan! Great to have a women (finally, for the first time) in this mandate.@CodingRights will be happy to help!.
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See below my press release on #Hungary. Manipulation of #media to suppress independent voices, institutional capture to weaken #humanrights protection are dangerous signs ahead of 2022 #elections.
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I condemn the cowardly attack on @SalmanRushdie who symbolizes #FreedomOfExpression - the right to impart info and ideas of all kinds, offensive or enlightened, true or false. Violence cannot kill the power of his words or the beauty of his writings.
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Trailblazing gender champion, judicial giant, human rights defender, diminutive in size but towering in intellect, resolve & courage #RuthBaderGinsburg gave hope & justice to hundreds of millions of women and will ever inspire generations to come. #RIPRBG
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As we mark #WorldPressFreedomDay under shadow of #COVID19, reports of “fighting disinformation” in #Cambodia by imposing blanket restrictions on public health reporting is worrying. I agree w @cdeloire @RSF_inter journalism #FreedomOfExpression is “best vaccine”.
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Almost 1000 journalists killed in past decade but only 12% of cases brought to justice. That must change #EndImpunity #PressFreedom @unescoNOW @ministerBlok @amalclooneyy.
🔴LIVE NOW. Join Amal Clooney, @Irenekhan @ministerBlok @VeraJourova and @MelanioBar. #ProtectJournalists and stand up to #EndImpunity for crimes against them. Watch here:
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I condemn Taliban’s demand that women #journalists in #Afghanistan must cover their faces. Yet another shameful attempt to erase women’s identity, #HumanRights & #FreedomofExpression .#IWillResist
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@NobelPrize award recognizes courageous struggle of jailed #HumanRights campaigner Narges Mohammadi in 🇮🇷. Iranian government must #FreeNarges and other human rights defenders NOW!
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👇🏼we condemn Iran’s proposed hijab law that will deepen discrimination and exclusion of women and girls - “gender apartheid” - and violate #FreedomofExpression & other human rights
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Deeply alarming and totally unacceptable behavior by #Belarus. #freeromanprotasevich immediately.
The outrageous and illegal behaviour of the regime in Belarus will have consequences. Those responsible for the #Ryanair hijacking must be sanctioned. Journalist Roman Protasevich must be released immediately. EUCO will discuss tomorrow action to take.
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Israel's proposition to shutdown of Al Jazeera, the only international media operating out of Gaza, is an escalation of the violations of international law on war crimes and #freedomofexpression. I discuss more in @AJInsideStory.
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Yet another example of how the legal system is being weaponized to intimidate and silence #journalists and undermine #PressFreedom #FreedomofExpression
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The law must not be weaponized to weaken accountability and public scrutiny nor hinder #FreedomofExpression.
📣Time to act now to put an end to #SLAPPs! . We need a strong EU anti-SLAPP directive that will protect public watchdogs from lawsuits used by powerful individuals to silence critics. Sign the petition to call on @VeraJourova @dreynders & @EU_Commission.
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I urge #SriLanka to give visas to foreign journalists from various countries to report on the elections. Media diversity will ensure better #MediaCoverage & #MediaFreedom. Refusing visas raise concerns and questions - what are the authorities trying to hide?!.
The refusal of visas to foreign journalists covering the election is extremely concerning. @MaryLawlorhrds @cvoule @hrw @Irenekhan.@ThyagiR @amnestysasia @jmccdon @amnestyusa @UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @unhrcpr @UNGeneva @UNHumanRights .@bfonseka @ambikasat @POLITICOEurope.
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After 34 years #justice is done in killing of Peruvian 🇵🇪 #journalist #HugoBustíos in 1988. 9 out of 10 murders of journalists are never investigated says @UNESCO. Impunity endangers #SafetyofJournalists. @IPI @pressfreedom
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