Amal Clooney Releases Second Textbook, Freedom of Speech in International Law 18/01/2024

Amal Clooney Releases Second Textbook, Freedom of Speech in International Law.

Amal Clooney, international law and human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, this week released her second textbook, Freedom of Speech in International Law. Freedom of Speech, a textbook co-edited by former UK Supreme Court President Lord David Neuberger and published by Oxford University Press, is a widely endorsed roadmap for states and social media companies seeking to regulate speech in compliance with international law.

The Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution (CIGAD) hosted an expert panel for the launch.

To celebrate its launch, the Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution (CIGAD), hosted an expert panel on 18 January.

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, an international law barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and Labour member of the House of Lords, chaired the panel, which included high-profile and eminent experts including Lord David Neuberger KC, Amal Clooney, Professor Philippa Webb, Dario Milo, Partner at Webber Wenzel and Alice Gardoll, Chief of Staff for the Office of Amal Clooney.

Lord Neuberger’s opening remarks addressed global threats to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, commenting that it was, in particular, the restriction of freedom of political expression that inspired the book.

In her remarks, Amal Clooney recognised that journalists today face unprecedented threats and highlighted the results of her research showing that states are increasingly criminalizing speech in violation of international law. She explained that she and her co-editor, the former chief judge at the UK Supreme Court, ‘wrote this book not out of despair, but out of hope that codifying the rights protected in international law can help those targeted by rogue regimes or overzealous prosecutors.’

Professor Webb’s speech highlighted that instead of providing protection for speech, many jurisdictions provide extra punishment, especially when criticism of states is involved. She shared numerous examples of countries penalising free speech with draconian penalties and on the basis of vague laws. Professor Webb set out several of the 15 recommendations that the book makes to protect political speech.

The other panellists, Dario Milo, who also contributed to the chapter co-authored by Professor Philippa Webb and Dr Rosana Garciandia, and Alice Gardoll, reflected upon anti-SLAPP legislation and the need for social media companies to regulate speech on their platforms in compliance with international law.

Lord Neuberger delivered the closing remarks, making a plea to remain attentive to the threats to freedom of speech, stating that ‘the price of liberty is eternal vigilance’.

The book is now available in bookshops and can be ordered online.

 

Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebqpJfpJ

 

STYLE FILES

Amal Clooney wore a

PRADA red skirt suit with a brown belt and black pumps