The right to freedom of expression

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, and - according to the international human rights mechanisms - this right can be violated in a variety of ways, including by:

• restricting access to political, artistic or commercial information and ideas (e.g. denying pregnant women information about abortion facilities);

• limiting the freedom of the press;

• placing undue restrictions (excluding reasonable licencing restrictions) on broadcasting.

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International human rights mechanisms which protect the right to freedom of expression

The right to freedom of expression is protected by the following international human rights mechanisms (click on the links to find out more about how to use these mechanisms):

United Nations Human Rights Committee

Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders

Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance

1503 Procedure

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

African Commission on Human and People's Rights

European Court of Human Rights