Freedom of expression

The Human Rights Academy is a free online learning platform that allows participants to embark on a self-paced learning journey to understand the principles of human rights and how to use them as a tool for positive change.

We believe that knowledge of rights is essential for claiming them, defending them, and promoting them and hope that our courses will inspire you to take action.

Below or a selection of courses focussing on freedom of expression. If you have any queries or feedback, and would like to get in touch with the Human Rights Education Team, please email [email protected]

Want to understand what freedom of expression means?

This self-paced course equips you with the knowledge to understand and claim your right to freedom of expression, and the confidence to defend it. Learn from Amnesty International experts as you explore how freedom of expression, association, and assembly apply in real-life situations. You’ll be challenged to think critically and develop practical strategies to protect human rights both for yourself and others.

Are you looking to find ways to speak out for freedom of expression?

This 20-minute course aims to help you do just that. By the end of the course you will be able to explain what the right to freedom of expression is, outline common threats to freedom of expression, and take action to defend and promote the right to freedom of expression.

Are you looking to learn more about the history of protesting in the UK, and your rights to freedom of assembly and expression?

Protest has shaped UK history, from winning women the vote to securing workers’ rights. In this free three-week FutureLearn course, you’ll explore protest as a tool for social change, understand your rights to Freedom of Assembly and Expression, and examine why these rights are under threat today. Learn about restrictions, policing, and practical steps to defend the right to protest and feel empowered to take action.

Are you interested in learning about our right to protest across the globe?

Protest is a fundamental human right, but it’s increasingly under threat worldwide. In this 3-hour course, you’ll learn why protest is protected under international law, explore the challenges it faces, and discover practical ways to defend it. You’ll gain strategies for staying safe, demand rights-respecting policing practices, and develop the confidence to take action. By the end, you’ll understand the scope of the right to protest and be ready to stand up for it.

Are you interested in creative ways to promote and defend human rights?

This 45-minute course delves into the powerful role that art and creative expression play in promoting human rights and advocating for change. It highlights how art can be a transformative tool in challenging oppressive systems. Designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to harness the power of art for activism, this course is particularly valuable for young people, artists, and educators.

Lashmankin and Others vs Russia, a human rights case study.

In this Human Rights Workout course, discover how ordinary citizens in Russia challenged restrictions on peaceful assembly and won a landmark victory. In this case, the European Court of Human Rights combined 15 complaints from individuals whose protests were denied authorisation by authorities. The Court reaffirmed that the right to peaceful assembly (guaranteed under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights) is fundamental to democracy.

Learn how this ruling upholds freedom of expression and association, and why it matters for protecting human rights everywhere.

Identoba and Others vs Georgia, a human rights case study.

In this Human Rights Workout course, discover how a group of activists in Georgia fought for their right to march against homophobia without fear of violence. In this landmark case, the European Court of Human Rights examined complaints from the NGO Identoba and 14 individuals who were brutally attacked during a peaceful protest in Tbilisi. The Court ruled that states have a duty to protect demonstrators from hostile counter-demonstrations, reinforcing the fundamental right to freedom of assembly and safety for all.

Find more online courses on Futurelearn, Amnesty International’s Human Rights Academy and Human Rights Workout.

For a more related resources and recommended reads organised by topic, why not explore our Knowledge Hub.

If there is any learning content that you would like to see on this page, or think we should prioritise, please email [email protected]. We collate all suggestions to help us plan and prioritise future learning and training content. We cannot guarantee that anything you request will be created.