Brazil Congress urged to end censorship amid X ban

An open letter signed by over 100 individuals, including academics, journalists, and politicians, was sent to the Brazilian Congress, urging an end to the ongoing censorship crisis following the nationwide ban of the platform X. This ban was initiated after Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the blocking of specific accounts to combat misinformation. When X refused to comply, the judge mandated a complete suspension of the platform's operations in Brazil, threatening significant fines for any attempts to access it via VPN. The signatories of the letter condemned this judicial action as a dangerous escalation of censorship, warning that it could set a troubling precedent for free speech globally. They highlighted that the actions taken by Brazilian authorities violate both the Brazilian constitution and international human rights laws, which protect freedom of expression. The letter emphasized that the suppression of speech undermines democracy and could lead to a broader culture of censorship. Among the notable signatories were former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and former U.S. Ambassador Sam Brownback, who expressed concern over the implications of such censorship on democratic values. The initiative was coordinated by ADF International, which has called for intervention from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to address these violations. The letter concluded with a strong assertion that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be defended. The ongoing situation in Brazil serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safeguarding free speech, not only within the country but also as a global principle.