Human beings are complicated, and a zero-tolerance approach to words and meanings is unlikely to work on us
Padraig Reidy: In defence of Mario Balotelli
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Azerbaijan’s 12 months of paralysing attacks on civil society
Twelve months ago Rebecca Vincent and Rasul Jafarov wrote for Index on Censorship magazine on a crackdown on photojournalists in Azerbaijan. A year later Jafarov is in prison awaiting trial, and Vincent writes about the spiralling threats towards anyone who speaks out about democracy
Free thought on campus: nothing to see here
As UK Home Secretary Theresa May pushes for more anti-terror powers, Charley Kai John sketches a nightmare vision of the impact on campuses
Azerbaijan: Government arrests investigative journalist
The arrest of Azerbaijani investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova today underscores the entrenched authoritarian instincts of the government of President Ilham Aliyev
Padraig Reidy: Who can speak and who must be silent?
Ask yourself: would it be better to have a society where people argued against me, or would I prefer a society where the authorities were entitled to decide what I should and should not say?
Kazakhstan must halt assault on press freedom
The injunction banning distribution and publication of ADAMbol, a popular opposition magazine in Kazakhstan, is a clear violation of freedom of press and free expression. The magazine has been accused of engaging in "extremist war propaganda" by...
Recap report: ArtFreedomWales free speech hearing
On 27 November Index on Censorship hosted a free speech hearing at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff to ask the question: is Wales enjoying its right to artistic freedom of expression?
Padraig Reidy: Let’s ban the word “internet”
We have to stop thinking about things happening “on the internet”, when it’s simply part of human interaction for millions
Cyprus: Police confiscate photos of Greek trans activist
The chairman of the NGO that organised the exhibition was charged with exhibiting obscene material in a public space. Christina Vasilaki reports
Nils Muižnieks: Azerbaijan’s reprisals against brave activists and journalists must stop now
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights reflects on his recent mission to Azerbaijan – one of the most difficult of his tenure