ARTICLE 10
Freedom of
expression
Learn more at
www.echr.coe.int
62%
say their country is one where
the rights of people to express
their views in public are
protected.
"If liberty means anything at
all, it means the right to tell
people what they do not
want to hear."
George Orwell
Your voice matters. You have the right to say what you think, share
information and demand a better world. You also have the right to agree
or disagree with those in power, and to express these opinions in peaceful
protests.
Exercising these rights, without fear, is central to living in an open and fair
society; one in which people can access justice and enjoy their human
rights.
Yet governments around the world routinely imprison people or worse for
speaking out, even though almost every country’s constitution refers to the
value of ‘free speech’.
In this study people who live in different countries of
Europe, responded to the question:
do you feel safe when expressing your opinion?
43%
Italy said yes
48%
Spain said yes
59%
Greece said yes
57%
Poland said yes
you can check this rates on
www.pewresearch.org
Freedom of expression,
applies to ideas of all kinds,
including those that may be
deeply offensive. While
international law protects free
speech, there are occasions
where speech can legitimately
be restricted under the same
law such as when it violates
the rights of others, incites
discrimination or violence.
However, any restrictions on
freedom of expression must be
provided by law to protect
certain public interests or the
rights of others.