Freedom of expression and belief

Our Freedom of Expression and Belief team uses fact-finding and litigation to ensure that all of us can express our ideas, beliefs and identities without facing unfair crackdowns from the government. 

We use freedom-of-information requests and other legal action to uncover racism, Islamophobia, ableism and other bias in government policies such as the UK’s ‘Prevent’ counter-extremism programme, which has been harming children in Great Britain for nearly two decades. 

We also promote the rights of protesters, who are increasingly under attack in the UK and globally. In Northern Ireland, we have a special project to end harsh laws that restrict peaceful protests. 

Our work on technology exposes the ways governments collect and store vast amounts of sensitive data about people’s thoughts, religious beliefs and political opinions – and even simply ideas they have explored. 

By educating law- and policy-makers, we promote lasting change.