#Defamation

However, in many countries, defamation laws have a become a tool to silence human rights defenders and journalists. This happens, for example, in connection to statements or reports pointing to those responsible for human rights abuses.

International and regional human rights bodies have consistently affirmed that civil law is enough to protect reputation. In other words, defamation should not be punished as a crime and there should be no prison sentences. Yet many countries around the world maintain criminal defamation.

Another important consideration is that the threshold for defamation to have occurred is much higher for public figures, including government officials. This means that strong criticism by human rights defenders, journalists or others should not give rise to defamation.