“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
– Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protects your ability to hold your own opinions and to express them freely, without government interference.
This includes the right to express views through public protests or written materials, media broadcasts, the internet and works of art. We need a free flow of ideas in order to ensure that different opinions are taken into account, and different ideas are aired. Limiting the right to freedom of expression undermines transparency and accountability and makes the fight for human rights even more difficult. Freedom of expression is important not just to society as a whole, but also to the individual. Our opinions and thoughts are a fundamental part of what makes us human.
Freedom of expression also underpins other human rights, such as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion – and allows them to flourish. It is also closely linked to freedom of association – the right to form and join clubs, societies, trade unions or political parties with anyone you choose; and freedom of peaceful assembly – the right to take part in a peaceful demonstration or public meeting.
Government Obligations
Like all human rights, governments are obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to protest. But freedom of expression is not an unlimited right. Sometimes, governments have a duty to protect other people’s rights or certain public interests, which requires some expression to be prohibited or restricted. For example, freedom of expression does not protect speech that directly incites violence, such as urging people to attack a minority group. In that case, governments have a duty to step in and prevent harm. But the circumstances in which the authorities can restrict the right to freedom of expression are very narrow and must be considered as exceptional rather than the norm.
Outside of such cases, governments are not allowed to block or punish people just because their ideas are critical, unpopular or even offensive. The right to freedom of expression applies to ideas of all kinds and protects the ability of people to protest even if their message might be considered offensive, shocking or disturbing. Any restriction on human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, must be legal, proportionate and necessary.
Freedom of Expression Under Attack
In many countries today, including the United States, freedom of expression is under severe attack. Many governments abuse their authority to stifle criticism and silence peaceful dissent by passing laws criminalizing freedom of expression or misusing criminal legislation to target critics. Critical speech, dissent and protest are routinely censored or obstructed, online as well as offline. This is often done in the name of counterterrorism, public order, national security or religion.
Governments not only censor speech but actively target people such as journalists, activists, lawyers, artists, students and anyone who decides to speak out, through unfair trials, arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment. Governments exploit vague laws, like “spreading false news” or “inciting unrest” to justify long prison sentences, often imposed without proper legal process. These abuses are not isolated; they reflect a global trend of shrinking civic space, where criticism of those in power is treated not as a right protected under international law, but as a threat to be punished. This creates a chilling effect, silences public debate and erodes justice and accountability.
Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the growing crisis of freedom of expression in the United States since President Trump started his second term.
A number of high-profile journalists and entertainers have faced professional retaliation for their public statements recently. People in less high-profile professions have also been reportedly terminated for voicing personal views. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has threatened to revoke visas and deport immigrants who express perspectives the administration finds objectionable, implemented new screenings for “anti-American” activity and expression for people seeking immigration benefits. Additionally, the Attorney General has vowed to target people for vaguely defined “hate speech.”
Those criticizing Israel’s genocide in Gaza have been particularly targeted, especially students. They face surveillance, excessive or unlawful use of force by police, arrests, enforced disappearances, deportation orders, and some organizations have even faced sanctions. It is absolutely critical that the U.S. government, through its words, policies and actions, recognizes the seriousness and implications of these rights being trampled on, and protects all people’s right to speak out and dissent without fear of retribution or persecution. Your voice matters. You have the right to say what you think, share information and demand a better world.
Protect the right to freedom of expression!
Tell authorities to withdraw all charges against members of the press.