Azerbaijan's corrupt ruling family, led by President Ilham Aliyev, has stayed in power by crushing dissent — curtailing freedom of assembly, association, and expression. A leaked US diplomatic cable compared the Aliyev’s to the Corleones, the Mafia...
Fazil Say, a Turkish pianist and composer, was put on trial in Istanbul today (18 October) for insulting Islam in Twitter posts. The musician is charged with inciting hatred and public enmity, and with insulting "religious values". He could face 18...
In the first of a new interview series, Conservative MP Dominic Raab talks to Mike Harris about civil liberties, free speech and how he “wouldn’t lose any sleep” if the UK’s draft communications data bill were canned
In the age of social media, the European Union needs to defend free expression. But it often falls far short, says Padraig Reidy
The third ever Belgrade Pride parade took place last Saturday behind closed doors in the city's Media Centre, due to a last minute ban imposed by authorities. The move attracted widespread international criticism as a violation Serbian citizens'...
A man has been sentenced to a total of eight months in prison by a Manchester court for wearing a T-shirt daubed with offensive comments referring the murders of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes. Barry Thew, of Radcliffe, Greater Manchester...
Index has today called for the British government to deliver on its promise of real libel reform. Daisy Williams lists five cases that demonstrate how libel law can stifle debate, curtail critcism and even endanger lives
The UK government’s Defamation Bill goes to the House of Lords for its second reading debate today. Michael Harris explains why it’s vital that the government acts to protect free speech
International NGOs to UK government: Protect us, strengthen libel law reforms
