Commonwealth takes bold step to protect freedom of expression

The People’s Forum Session on Freedom of Expression at CHOGM 2024 in Apia, Samoa featured speakers including Shahidul Alam, Lance Polu, Kalafi Moala, Kumi Naidoo, and Neha Dixit. The Commonwealth Heads of Government adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression, emphasizing the importance of media freedom to democracy and the need to repeal restrictive laws. A report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association highlighted the use of criminal laws to suppress free expression and called for concrete steps to implement the Principles.

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