Experts Highlight Threats to Free Expression

Experts from Africa and Asia highlighted negative emerging trends in freedom of expression, at a panel hosted by Freedom House at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Pakistani government has increasingly attempted to censor information online, said Nighat Dad from Bytes for All, and is trying to build a national firewall on par with China's.  Moses Magoola with the Human Rights Network for Journalists said they have seen an increase in violent attacks against journalists in Uganda. Sulemana Braimah with the Media Foundation for West Africa provided insight on a tactic used by African governments—they claim to review negative laws but in reality replace such laws with even more restrictive legislation. 

In addition, Freedom House vice president for regional programs Robert Herman delivered testimony before UN Human Rights Council on freedom of assembly.

Watch his testimony here.