Written by : Ruth Smeeth
Why the Freedom of Expression Awards matter
They remind us of the struggles people are prepared to fight for their beliefs The chilling effect of polarisation on measured debate
This week, academics have been compared to the KKK and a trans writer attacked for being long-listed for a women's literary prize. Extreme views are stifling the conversation The harassment of international journalists in China is becoming normalised
Index stands in support of the BBC's China correspondent John Sudworth who has fled to Taiwan with his family As we celebrate our 50th birthday, we know our work is far from done
In 1971, writers and scholars came together with a vision to be a voice for the persecuted. That vision continues today We defend the right to protest, even during a pandemic
Demonstrations by design are meant to disrupt normal activity and to annoy and irritate the establishment Why what is happening in Hong Kong and Xinjiang is not an internal affair
People are being arrested, being disappeared and are dying on our watch It is women who are paying the ultimate price for their beliefs
Young protestors and reporters have given their lives in the past week in Myanmar and Afghanistan Index statement on Alexei Navalny
Putin critic has been sent to a Russian penal colony following his show trials Speech should be free but not of consequences
Rather than genuinely tackling the thornier issues, we’re seeing calls for more regulations online as a quick fix We need Andrei Aliaksandrau and 254 others in Belarus back home
Lukashenko's government has doubled down by raiding the homes and offices of activists and journalists Loujain al-Hathloul’s release gives everyone hope
The women's rights activist has been released after 1,001 days in a Saudi jail but the struggle continues The British Government has zero moral authority
The UK cannot claim the moral high ground when it is preventing its own journalists from doing their jobs 
