Freedom of expression
An overview of the multi-faceted right to freedom of expression and how it is protected under international law.
Browse by theme
Each theme contains useful resources for lawyers on freedom of expression, click below to get started.
Digital rights
Understanding digital rights is crucial to protecting human rights, as little of our lives today is immune from the forces of technology and the internet.
Restricting Internet access & online content
An overview of the ways in which access to the internet and online content are restricted around the world.
Defamation & reputation
An overview of freedom of expression issues in the law, including how defamation is treated in domestic and international law.
Privacy, security & data protection
An overview of the right to privacy, data protection, and protecting freedom of expression in a digital world.
Cybercrimes
Describes the different types of cybercrimes, tracks the trends, and evaluates how cybercrimes are dealt with in international law.
Hate speech
An overview of hate speech and how it is dealt with both under domestic and international law.
Censorship by private actors
An overview of the ways in which access to content and freedom of expression online are restricted by private actors.
False news, misinformation & propaganda
An overview of false news, misinformation and propaganda, including causes and potential solutions..
Litigating freedom of expression
An overview of the various rights and concepts which encompass digital rights.
Browse resource library
results found
Filter by
Close filters
results found
Advanced Module 3: Criminalisation of Online Speech (sub-Saharan Africa)
Sets out the applicable international human rights standards and provides an overview of fundamental international and regional legal principles.
Advanced Module 1: General Overview of Trends in Digital Rights Globally (sub-Saharan Africa)
Sets out trends and expected developments in the context of the right of access to information, particularly trends that pose a threat to access to information.
Módulo 6: Discursos de odio (serie de módulos sobre américa latina)
Es importante encontrar el equilibrio adecuado entre el discurso que es ofensivo pero importante para la libertad de expresión, y el discurso que constituye un discurso de odio, no protegido por la libertad de expresión.
SAHRC on behalf of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies v Masuku (2022)
The Constitutional Court of South Africa found that most disparaging statements made about “Zionism” were not targeted at members of the Jewish faith or ethnicity and did not constitute hate speech, while one of the statements did.
Economic Freedom Fighters v Minister of Justice (2020)
The Constitutional Court of South Africa held that a provision criminalising incitement to “any offence” was overly broad and an infringement of the right to freedom of expression.
Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission (2021)
The Constitutional Court of South Africa held that a provision creating criminal liability for hate speech was unconstitutional, holding that hate speech must be both harmful or incite harm and promote hatred.
The Gambia v Facebook (2021)
In a discovery request, the US District Court held that Facebook must disclose de-platformed content and internal investigation documents relating to the incitement of ethnic hatred against the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Module 6: Hate Speech (South and Southeast Asia Module Series)
International law requires states to ban hate speech which intentionally incites to violence, hatred or discrimination, but not that actual harm results. The biggest danger with hate speech is that vagueness in defining its meaning may allow such laws to be used as tools to stifle legitimate criticism or political speech. Part of the Modules on Litigating Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights in South and Southeast Asia.