Restrictions on Freedom of Expression; Justifications and Documentation

Freedom of expression, i.e., the permission to express thoughts, ideas, emotions and sensibility in various ways, is a fundamental human right; a right based on the inherent dignity of human beings. The right to freedom of expression, like other individual rights and freedoms, is balanced with the social responsibility. This balance of rights and responsibilities automatically restricts the rights of individuals, including their right to freedom of speech. The requirements of collective life, the preservation of human dignity and the principle of non-harm to others are the foundations of individuals' social responsibility and the restriction of their freedoms. These principles have led to international and regional human rights instruments, Islamic norms and national laws restricting freedom of expression in favor of other values such as the rights and freedoms of others, the just requirements of morality, social order and the public interest. This library research examines the restrictions on freedom of speech by analyzing document contents.