Germany: UN expert warns space for freedom of expression is shrinking
The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, has delivered a sharp assessment following an official visit to Germany: space for free speech and protest is contracting under political and legal pressure—particularly around pro-Palestinian demonstrations and counter-terrorism measures that sweep up broad political criticism.
According to Khan, blanket bans on slogans, thousands of arrests, and the surveillance of organizations on vague “extremism” grounds are inconsistent with international human rights standards and risk deepening polarization and insecurity. She warns that defending democracy by curtailing its core freedoms is a dangerous strategy, and calls for restoring trust through legal clarity and independent review.
📄 Read the official UN press release and background here:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/germany-un-expert-warns-space-freedom-expression-shrinking-amidst-growing
The full country report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.