Index on Censorship condemns the brutal murder of US-Bangladeshi blogger Avijit Roy. Roy, an atheist who advocated secularism, was hacked to death by a knife-wielding mob in Dhaka as he walked back from a book fair. Index CEO Jodie Ginsberg said:...
CATEGORY: Statements

EU human rights boss must meet with Azerbaijan’s jailed critics
With the arrival of the EU special representative for human rights in Azerbaijan, the country has a unique opportunity to adhere to the international commitments it has signed by releasing detained and imprisoned journalists and human rights defenders

Jodie Ginsberg: The right to free speech means nothing without the right to offend
If the murders in Paris and now Copenhagen frighten us into silence they will have achieved their goal. That is why it is so vital that we continue to talk, and to listen
Index on Censorship statement on blasphemy debate attack in Copenhagen
The use of violence on a gathering exploring the intersection of religious and artistic freedom should send shivers down our spines.

Dear Ambassador: We must agree to disagree
In January, Index on Censorship reported on the beginning of the trial of human rights activist Rasul Jafarov, who is being tried on spurious charges. The Azerbaijani embassy has written to Index on Censorship responding to that article. Here is our response.
Bahrain revokes citizenship of 72 critical voices
On 31 January 2015, Bahrain's Ministry of the Interior revoked the citizenship of 72 individuals, including journalists, bloggers, and political and human rights activists, rendering many of them stateless - its latest attempt to crack down on...
Madam Chancellor: Tell Aliyev to respect civil society
Chancellor Angela Merkel Bundeskanzleramt Willy-Brandt-Straße 1 10557 Berlin Madam Chancellor, As members of the international NGO coalition ‘Sport for Rights’ we are appealing to you to make human rights a central subject in your meeting next...

Bahrain: Nabeel Rajab sentenced for a tweet
Human rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Bahraini court.

Judges for 2015 Index Freedom of Expression Awards named
The awards have honoured some of the world’s most remarkable free expression heroes

Tell Bahrain to drop charges against activist over tweet, demand human rights organisations
In October a Bahraini court ruled that prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab would face criminal charges stemming from a single tweet
Statements from freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship, the global voice of free expression