Tag

Freedom Of Expression

All articles tagged with #freedom of expression

Zambia halts global digital rights summit days before start amid censorship claims
world27 days ago

Zambia halts global digital rights summit days before start amid censorship claims

Zambia canceled RightsCon 2026 in Lusaka just days before its May start, saying it needed time to ensure the event aligns with national values, policy priorities, and public interest. The move, described by activists as censorship, comes amid concerns of political pressure and transnational repression, with more than 2,600 delegates expected and many having already traveled and paid for arrangements to discuss digital rights, online hate, surveillance, and internet governance.

Starmer calls for tighter limits on pro-Palestine protests and 'Intifada' chants
politics27 days ago

Starmer calls for tighter limits on pro-Palestine protests and 'Intifada' chants

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says some pro-Palestine protests could be banned and chants like 'globalise the Intifada' should be completely off limits, with potential prosecutions; he has discussed stricter action with police, and his comments come amid a spike in anti-Semitic incidents and a heightened security alert in Britain.

RightsCon Canceled in Zambia Over National-Values Demands
technology29 days ago

RightsCon Canceled in Zambia Over National-Values Demands

RightsCon, the global conference on human rights and technology, was canceled in Lusaka just days before it was to start after the Zambian government demanded full alignment with national values and public-interest considerations, prompting organizers to advise registered participants not to travel. The decision comes amid Zambia’s tightened digital laws and ahead of an August election, drawing criticism from digital-rights groups and observers who say the move undermines civil society and free expression.

Flagged kippah controversy: police cut Palestinian flag from headwear, prompting probe
world1 month ago

Flagged kippah controversy: police cut Palestinian flag from headwear, prompting probe

A British-Israeli academic says Israeli police detained him for wearing a kippah embroidered with Israeli and Palestinian flags; the Palestinian-flag section was later cut off when the item was returned. A complaint has been filed with the Police Internal Investigations Division, and authorities note there is no explicit law banning Palestinian flags, while critics argue the incident signals broader tensions over symbols and public order in Israel.

Rights groups condemn 17-year sentence in Pakistan social-media case
world4 months ago

Rights groups condemn 17-year sentence in Pakistan social-media case

A sessions court in Islamabad sentenced lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to 17 years in prison on multiple charges tied to controversial social-media posts, triggering swift condemnations from digital rights groups, activists and politicians who describe the trial as illegal, politically influenced and a chilling blow to dissent and freedom of expression.

Adelaide Writers’ Week Cancelled After Backlash Over Abdel-Fattah Disinvitation
culture4 months ago

Adelaide Writers’ Week Cancelled After Backlash Over Abdel-Fattah Disinvitation

Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 was cancelled amid a mass walkout after the festival board disinvited Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over “cultural sensitivities” following a Bondi attack. More than 180 authors and speakers withdrew, the board resigned (save for the city council representative), and Louise Adler, the director, also resigned. A new board led by Judy Potter was named to steer a scaled-back Adelaide Festival, with refunds for ticketholders. Abdel-Fattah rejected the board’s apology, calling the move racist and an attack on free speech; the government emphasized safeguarding the festival’s future.

Colombian Court Rules Meta Wrong to Ban Porn Star's Instagram
world8 months ago

Colombian Court Rules Meta Wrong to Ban Porn Star's Instagram

Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled that Meta wrongfully shut down adult actress Esperanza Gomez's Instagram account, citing it as an arbitrary restriction of her freedom of expression and ordering Meta to review its policies. The court criticized Meta for inconsistent content moderation and emphasized the need for transparent mechanisms for challenging moderation decisions.

US Imposes Sanctions and Tariffs Amid Brazil Judicial Controversies
world10 months ago

US Imposes Sanctions and Tariffs Amid Brazil Judicial Controversies

The United States has imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and efforts to silence political critics through secret orders and restrictions on online speech, citing violations of fair trial guarantees and freedom of expression.

Turkey detains cartoonists over Prophet Muhammad caricatures
world11 months ago

Turkey detains cartoonists over Prophet Muhammad caricatures

Turkish police detained four employees of the satirical magazine LeMan over a controversial cartoon allegedly depicting Prophet Muhammad, sparking protests and a government investigation. The magazine claims the cartoon was misinterpreted and intended to highlight Muslim suffering, but authorities and protesters see it as an insult, leading to arrests and clashes. The incident raises concerns over freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in Turkey.

Turkey detains cartoonists over Prophet Muhammad caricature
world11 months ago

Turkey detains cartoonists over Prophet Muhammad caricature

Turkish authorities detained three cartoonists over a satirical cartoon that appeared to depict prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands in the sky, drawing condemnation from officials and religious conservatives. The magazine apologized, claiming the cartoon aimed to highlight suffering and was misunderstood, but the government launched an investigation under laws criminalizing incitement to hatred, amid protests and concerns over press freedom in Turkey.