The European Union has issued a strong warning to Pakistan over alleged human rights violations, cautioning that the country could lose its preferential GSP+ trade status if meaningful reforms are not implemented. The European Commission's latest assessment raises concerns over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the use of anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws against journalists, dissidents and religious minorities. The report also states that many of Pakistan's reforms remain largely on paper and have not resulted in significant improvements. The EU has urged Islamabad to strengthen accountability, improve labour protections, reform controversial laws, and ensure greater protection for minorities before revised GSP+ rules come into effect in 2027.

EU warns Pakistan over human rights violations | Islamabad risks losing gsp+ trade benefits

Bangladeshi-born author Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata nearly 18 years after she was forced to leave the city following violent protests in 2007. The internationally acclaimed writer will participate in an event focused on secularism, freedom of expression, and resistance against religious fundamentalism. The program, organized by secular and rationalist groups in West Bengal, will provide Nasrin an opportunity to present her literary work and discuss issues related to free speech and women's rights. Taslima Nasrin has lived in exile across Europe and the United States after facing threats in both Bangladesh and India over her writings, including her controversial novel Lajja

Taslima Nasrin to return to Kolkata after nearly two decades | Free speech debate rekindled

Taslima Nasreen accused the former BNP leader of siding with fundamentalists by filing a case against her and banning several of her books, actions that eventually forced her to flee the country.

After Khaleda Zia’s death, Taslima Nasreen asks: ‘Will my exile end?’

India has countered Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's remarks on upholding 'freedom of speech' after recent anti-India protests in Brampton. India has reminded Canada about 'misuse of freedom of speech'.

India criticises Canada for pro-Khalistan activities, points strongly at Freedom of Expression

Malaysian activists on Thursday criticised the government's decision of banning three books for allegedly promoting the "LGBTQ lifestyle," saying that this step would further damage gay and transgender rights.

'A broader trend of censorship': Malaysian activists criticise govt for banning books on LGBTQ

Late last year, a clip filmed during a public event in South Sudan showing a stain spreading on the President Salvakia's pants went viral. The journalists who were covering the event were detained and accused of embarrassing the head of state and the country.

World of Africa: Concerns Grow Over Freedom of Press

Elon Musk ordered Twitter to remove an anti-suicide feature on the microblogging social media platform. The feature, that showed prompts related to suicide-prevention and anti-self harm hotlines in at least 30 countries worldwide, was no more available starting Thursday evening, Reuters reported.

Elon Musk ordered Twitter to remove suicide-prevention prompts

On Thursday (October 14), Türkiye's parliament passed a tough law for reporters and social media entailing imprisonment of up to three years for spreading "false news".

Türkiye: Govt introduces new law for journalists and social media to curb spread of 'fake news'

As per a new analysis, the past year saw hundreds of books; 801 to be exact, banned in Texas. These books ranged across multiple genres from the so-called "Queer agenda" to those featuring people of colour.

Freedom of expression?: Last year saw 1,648 books censored from US schools, Texas tops with 650+ bans

5 Hong Kong speech therapists were found guilty of a conspiracy to publish seditious children's books. Authorities said that books aimed at inciting hatred and sentence to be decide on September 10.

Hong Kong judge finds 5 speech therapists guilty over children's books

A report released Monday by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) indicates that during last year, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Pakistan remained under severe pressure.

Report: Media freedom in Pakistan deteriorated in 2021, oppn calls it testimony to 'fascism' of the government

A French court convicted 11 people on Wednesday for harassing a teen online over her anti-Islam videos in a case that has led to a fierce debate about free speech and the right to insult religions.

'You deserved to have your throat cut': 11 convicted for harassing schoolgirl over anti-Islam videos

In an uncanny series of events, a cheerleader in the United States is set to the face the Supreme Court soon. 14-year-old Brandi Levy was rejected from her high school’s cheerleading squad.

How a teenage cheerleader's middle finger landed her in landmark US Supreme Court case

The Imran Khan government in Pakistan on Friday announced a ban on social media websites including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram till 3 pm, in the wake of violent Islamist protests against France.

Pak govt blacks out social media in wake of Islamist protests

Pakistan has performed poorly concerning legal protections for the right to freedom of expression of its citizens during 2020, according to a new assessment report published by Media Matters for Democracy.

Pakistan placed in 'poor' category in freedom of expression: Report

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to bolster Turkey's judicial and economic system. He has initiated with Human Rights action plan to protect the freedom of expression.

Erdogan aim's to bolster Turkey's judicial system

Hundreds of high school students rallied in front of the education ministry in Bangkok on Wednesday (August 19), tying white ribbons to the gates and demanding more freedom in schools from the government after a string of demonstrations around the country.

'We want things to be fixed' - Thai high school students demand freedom of expression

Chinese authorities have detained Xu Zhangrun, a law professor on Monday. According to Zhangrun's friends, the professor published a few essays criticising President Xi Jinping over coronavirus pandemic and his efforts to consolidate power.

China detains law professor for criticising President Xi Jinping over coronavirus pandemic

J&K Internet Shutdown: Apex Court rules that freedom of expression & freedom to practice a profession over the internet as 'fundamental', 'constitutional' rights. The government will have to review the internet shut down within 7 days. WION's Palki Sharma explains with the key takeaways. #Gravitas #SupremeCourt #India #WION

Gravitas: Internet shutdown in J&K: Key takeaways from apex court verdict

The fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi described the sentencing of five people to death in relation to the killing as unfair and invalid, adding that their execution would further conceal the truth.

'Execution of those convicted would conceal truth': Khashoggi's fiancee

Saudi Arabia has released three people swept up in the latest wave of arrests in a crackdown on free expression, London-based Saudi rights group ALQST said on Thursday, but several more remain in detention.

Three detained Saudi writers freed, others still held: Rights group

A Myanmar judge on Monday extended the sentences of a troupe of satirical performers jailed for mocking the military, in a case that has raised a new concern about freedom of expression.

Myanmar judge extends sentences for poets jailed for mocking military

A Spanish comedian appeared in court on Monday for having blown his nose on the national flag in a television sketch, the latest case to raise fears for freedom of expression in the country.

Comedian in court for blowing nose on national flag

The European Union slammed "undue" restrictions on freedom of expression during Pakistan's election season this summer in a report released Friday, saying the crackdown led to considerable self-censorship of the media.

EU slams curbs on 'freedom of expression' during Pakistan elections

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