Freedom of speech and expression

The UN experts have urged the Taliban to reconsider the decree and align their legal framework with international standards, warning that failure to do so could deepen the country’s crisis and further erode public trust in state institutions.

Journalists who stay often do so because alternatives are scarce. Many have families to support and loans to repay.

As the programme rolls out, its success will likely be measured not only by how many clergy benefit financially but also by how well it navigates the complex terrain of religious pluralism in Bangladesh.

The rating places Pakistan among nations where freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression are systematically curtailed, despite constitutional guarantees and the country’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2010.

The consultations underscore that the crisis is not merely statistical. It reflects lived realities in which women are increasingly isolated within their homes.

Her story resonates far beyond Afghanistan, echoing in global conversations about women’s rights, freedom of expression, and the role of sport as a vehicle for empowerment. In a place where silence is enforced, her actions speak loudly.

Chief Minister Singh made it clear that this was only the beginning. “The talk… for the first time in nearly three years is a really good thing,” he told reporters. “The talks will proceed.”

The 2026 report, based on interviews with roughly 100,000 people across 140+ countries, reinforces that happiness is not solely about wealth. Social support and trust in institutions often outweigh raw GDP in explaining national differences. Costa Rica’s surge into the top four proves that strong community ties and life satisfaction can propel mid-income nations upward.