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Global Censorship Requires a Global Response

Global Censorship Requires a Global Response

Governments across the world are imposing and enforcing laws to silence free expression, and even free thought.

Increasingly, we are seeing not only the failure to protect free speech, but also the introduction of measures by the state to actively silence and sanction free expression.

Learn more about these cases to see how ADF International is standing against global censorship:

Breaking News

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Cases of Expelled Christians Now Before the European Court of Human Rights
Cases of Expelled Christians Now Before the European Court of Human Rights
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🚨 The EU fined X €120m under the Digital Services Act
🚨 The EU fined X €120m under the Digital Services Act
02:54
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A veterinary student in Brazil could face 10 YEARS in prison just for stating a biological fact
A veterinary student in Brazil could face 10 YEARS in prison just for stating a biological fact
02:40
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In Germany and Austria, courts have made it clear: PEACEFUL PRAYER cannot be banned.
In Germany and Austria, courts have made it clear: PEACEFUL PRAYER cannot be banned.
02:45
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Will Europe protect its history and uphold the display of religious symbols?
Will Europe protect its history and uphold the display of religious symbols?
02:45
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Australian mother to take legal action after teen daughter exposed to "disturbing" sex ed content
Australian mother to take legal action after teen daughter exposed to "disturbing" sex ed content
03:05
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Is silent prayer really a CRIME? 🇬🇧
Is silent prayer really a CRIME? 🇬🇧
03:36
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PATHWAYS clinical trial. This isn’t research – this is experimentation.
PATHWAYS clinical trial. This isn’t research – this is experimentation.
02:53
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The U.S. has officially designated 🇳🇬 Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”
The U.S. has officially designated 🇳🇬 Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”
03:06
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Päivi Räsänen Back in Court: Finnish Supreme Court Hearing for Oct 30th (Part one)
Päivi Räsänen Back in Court: Finnish Supreme Court Hearing for Oct 30th (Part one)
03:36

Governments should focus on protecting speech, not squashing it

Freedom of speech is a prerequisite for a free society, and a fundamental human right guaranteed by every major human rights treaty. Upholding this right is essential for the protection of all of our human rights. 

State-driven censorship fuels cancel culture and a climate of fear. Once the state starts censoring “unpopular” speech, there is no logical stopping point.

Without free speech, every human right is imperiled

While laws that punish speech often impose different punishments and occur in different contexts, the foundation is often very similar. For example, blasphemy laws and “hate speech” laws are both state-driven censorship grounded in the idea that some words are simply too offensive to be heard.

In a free society, ideas should be challenged with ideas, not censorship

As international human rights advocates with deep expertise in defending the right to free speech, ADF International is uniquely positioned to address the escalating censorship crisis in Brazil.

Our work focuses on the international institutions – including the Organization of American States – which were set up to ensure states respect their human rights commitments.

In Brazil, our work includes petitioning the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to intervene and protect the fundamental right to free speech in Brazil, holding the state to account for violating its international legal obligations.

Latest News

February 24, 2026

Brazilian commentator under criminal investigation again for “transphobic” social media posts

Brazilian social media commentator Nine Borges has been summoned to appear before police on Feb. 25 following new investigation into her social media. Borges’ case highlights government efforts in Brazil to censor
Read More

More Resources

CENSORED: How European "Hate Speech" Laws are Threatening Free Speech

Paul Coleman, ADF International Executive Director

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The Digital Services Act

ADF International on Global Censorship

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