ARTICLE 19 applauds the work of human rights activists and journalists around the world, recognising the role they play in protecting and promoting freedom of expression and the right to know.

16 days of activism against gender-based violence

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign, which the Center for Women’s Global Leadership launched to call for the elimination of gender-based violence. The COVID-19 pandemic considerably accelerated inequalities and violence against women, particularly those targeted as a result of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnic or religious background. The media must play its role in tackling gender violence. 

Campaign for Andrei Aliaksandrau's release

Belarusian journalist Andrei Aliaksandrau and his partner Irina Zlobina were arrested on 12 January 2021 and remain in detention. Andrei, a friend and former colleague of many at ARTICLE 19, faces charges of treason. To mark the one-year anniversary of the pair's incarceration, ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship are launching a solidarity campaign, asking members of the public to record a short video of support to post on social media and join the voices calling for Belarus to release Andrei and Irina.

Spotlight on China

In the run-up to the Olympics, ARTICLE 19 joins international calls to challenge China over its appalling human rights record, including by raising its voice against the treatment of tennis player Peng Shuai and the continued detention of journalist Zhang Zhan, jailed for her illuminating coverage of Wuhan’s initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

‘Belarusian authorities created a new mark of tyranny by laying treason charges against Aliaksandrau. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.’      — ARTICLE 19 and the coalition of organisations campaigning for the release of Andrei Aliaksandrau and Irina Zlobina

Ahead of the US-led Summit for Democracy on 9 and 10 December, ARTICLE 19 took part in Global Democracy Coalition Forum — civil society contributions to the debates — hosting two key panel discussions.

The events, 'Crackdowns and Attacks on Freedom of Expression as a Precursor to Authoritarianism' and 'Technology and Freedom of Expression: Challenges and Opportunities of Regulation and Rule of Law', look at the relationship between attacks against journalists, women, LGBTI+ communities and indigenous people and a broader decline in human rights. They also examined the crisis of 'information disorder', and how technology can still enable freedom of expression, while recognising that the dream of social media and digital communications heralding a new era – one of citizen engagement and democratic promise – has now been shattered.

‘Once you’ve begun to censor yourself, the government has done its job. It no longer needs to be repressive in the same way.’ — Shahidul Alam, photojournalist and founder of the Pathshala Media Institute, Bangladesh

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The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff (Profile Books)

'While Zuboff criticises behaviourism and surveillance capitalism for suppressing our sovereignty of self, her goal is also to imagine a valiant, collective resistance to surveillance capitalism.' — review by Sam di Bella

Jo Glanville explores the right to truth, looking at impunity in Mexico and the search for justice for crimes committed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 

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