It’s Time To Speak Up for Free Speech
Let’s take Finnish MP Räsänen’s words to heart: “Now it is time to speak. Because the more we are silent, the narrower the space for freedom of speech and religion grows.”
ADVOCATES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul Coleman serves as executive director of ADF International from its headquarters in Vienna, overseeing the advocacy and operations of the global, alliance-building legal organization.
Paul Coleman serves as executive director of ADF International from its headquarters in Vienna, overseeing the advocacy and operations of the global, alliance-building legal organization.
Specializing in international human rights and European law, Coleman has been involved in more than 20 cases before the European Court of Human Rights and has authored complaints and submissions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, International Criminal Court, Court of Justice of the European Union, UN Human Rights Committee, and numerous national courts.
Coleman was part of the legal team in the historic Eweida and others v. United Kingdom case, where the court handed down a landmark ruling on religious freedom. Coleman has also authored legal submissions in numerous precedent-setting cases before the European Court, including three Grand Chamber victories. In Gross v. Switzerland, he submitted that no right to assisted suicide or euthanasia exists under the European Convention on Human Rights. In F.G. v. Sweden, Coleman argued that European countries have a duty to protect Christian converts escaping persecution in their native countries. In Nagy v. Hungary, he argued that churches must have the freedom to manage their internal affairs without interference from the government or other state bodies.
Coleman earned his LL.M. and postgraduate diploma in legal practice, with distinction, from the Northumbria Law School. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws, with first-class honours, from Newcastle University. Coleman is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and is the author of two books and numerous articles.
Censored addresses the rise of so-called ‘hate speech’ laws throughout Europe and their devastating effect on freedom of speech. In Germany, for example, committing an ‘insult’ is a criminal offence and in Poland offending ‘religious feelings’ carries a two year prison sentence. In Cyprus, anyone who promotes ‘feelings of ill will’ may be committing a crime, while in Sweden anyone who expresses ‘contempt’ towards a group of people may be imprisoned. Get one copy here now!
Throughout the world today, marriage is being redefined by national courts and governments, religious liberty is severely threatened, and abortion is routinely promoted as a ‘human right’. The international organizations that were established in the 20th century to protect fundamental human rights are instead in some areas being used to undermine them. This short guide seeks to answer three questions: What are the international and regional human rights institutions that exist around the world, why do they matter and how can individuals and organizations get involved?
Should We Be Free To Hate
Let’s take Finnish MP Räsänen’s words to heart: “Now it is time to speak. Because the more we are silent, the narrower the space for freedom of speech and religion grows.”
Will free speech in Finland prevail? Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen is hopeful as the anniversary of her acquittal approaches. The Finnish state prosecutor has continued her censorship campaign against Räsänen as she faces a second trial over her Bible tweet post.
In March 2023, Canada will expand its already shockingly broad MAiD, or Medical Assistance in Dying, law, to make death-on-demand available to Canadians—including so-called ‘mature minors’—suffering from mental illness.
Elon Musk’s highly anticipated acquisition promises meaningful change for the Twitter landscape, with the prospect of canceled voices being soon released from the dark recesses of Twitter “jail.” Those of us who have lamented the shrinking space for free speech online should celebrate these signs of hope.
The Finnish state prosecutor has filed her appeal against the unanimous court decision which exonerated a Finnish MP and bishop of “hate speech” allegations for sharing their faith-based beliefs.
After a unanimous court decision and strong recommendation by the police not to proceed with prosecution in the first place, the Finnish state prosecutor intends to push criminal proceedings against MP and bishop into their fourth year.
Public Discourse
The Universal Declaration and the Distortion of Human Rights
Europe’s Free Speech Problem: A Cautionary Tale
The UN’s Push for “Same-Sex Marriage”
Spiked Online
The persecution of Christians can no longer be ignored
How everyday speech became a crime
The global persecution of Christians
The Ashers decision: a victory for everyone
Masterpiece Cakeshop: Are we free to disagree?
The European assault on freedom of speech
The EU’s relentless attack on free speech
Can religious freedom survive same-sex marriage?
The Critic: On trial for a Bible tweet
The Daily Signal: The Rise of ‘Hate Speech’ Policing in Europe
The Times: Doctors challenge ‘unlawful’ assisted dying poll
Christian Today: German Christian family loses appeal over homeschooling
The Tablet: Parliamentarians call for asylum for Asia Bibi
The Federalist Society: EU ‘Incitement to Hate’ Policies: Targets, Cases, and Consequences
The Daily Caller: European court of human rights affirms church self-governance
National Review: Liberty Files Podcast on “Hate Speech”
NRB: Event Sheds Light on Lessons from European ‘Hate Speech’ Codes
Premier: Churches across Europe ‘investigated under hate speech laws’
Debating Europe: Where should the limits to freedom of speech be set?