Most of us enjoy our freedom of speech without much thought. However in some countries, expressing opinions that go against the mainstream may lead to serious trouble & harsh penalties for dissent. Here are twelve nations where speaking out might land you in jail. In these places, free expression is far more dangerous than it should ever be.
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Turkey
You’ll need to watch what you say about the nation & government in Turkey and especially about the president. Strict laws make it risky to share any criticism and people have been arrested just for posting unfavorable comments on social media. In fact, police often use the charge of “insulting the Turkish nation” against journalists. This has made many people worried about the country stifling free speech.
Egypt
Speaking out against the government gets you in serious trouble in Egypt as, since 2013, authorities have used laws against “spreading false news” or “insulting the state” to arrest people. Any critical comments on social media might land you in detention. Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from protesting—but these are often met with arrests. Peaceful expressions of dissent may have serious consequences.
Russia
Any open criticism of the Russian government is rather dangerous since authorities go after critics. They’ll label them with charges like “extremism” or “spreading false information” to pursue legal punishment—just for expressing dissenting opinions. The government keeps a close eye on media & public gatherings. As such, those who oppose official views will face fines or even jail time. Crackdowns on dissenters have only gotten worse after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates may have many shiny skyscrapers but they hide a lack of tolerance for dissent. Criticizing the government or the royal families is almost guaranteed to lead to a jail sentence because the authorities don’t hesitate to take action against those who speak out. According to Amnesty International, at least 26 prisoners of conscience are in jail—simply because they dared to share their opinions.
Bahrain
During the Arab Spring in 2011, the Bahraini government arrested & detained many people who spoke out about the country’s numerous human rights violations. They don’t tolerate dissent. In fact, it has a history of cracking down on protests & silencing opposition to maintain control, so any unauthorized demonstrations or critical views online may lead to imprisonment.
Ethiopia
While Ethiopia has seen some changes, freedom of speech remains a challenge. People have been arrested for criticizing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government or joining protests. In 2020, the government detained several journalists during unrest in the Oromia region. Of course, it has promised reform. But speaking out still carries significant risks.
Thailand
Thailand has strict lèse-majesté laws under Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code so it’s a crime to defame or insult any members of the royal family. The laws are so broadly interpreted that just sharing or liking certain posts will get you arrested. In 2017, one man was sentenced to 35 years for Facebook posts that the police said were “insulting.”
Rwanda
Any criticism of President Paul Kagame in Rwanda is seen as “spreading false information” or “inciting insurrection.” In 2010, opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was imprisoned after she questioned the government’s narrative of the 1994 genocide. The government controls the media tightly—they often claim they need the restrictions to maintain national unity & prevent divisions.
Laos
You can’t count on freedom of speech in Laos because the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party controls everything—including the media. You may be arrested or harassed by authorities for criticizing the government. This happened to three Lao workers in Thailand. They were arrested there & then deported back to Laos for posting critical comments on Facebook about their government. When they returned, they ‘disappeared.’
Sudan
Even though Sudan has gone through a lot of political changes, speaking out is still really risky because you may be arrested & detained. Even after the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the current government doesn’t seem to care about freedom of expression. Sadly, the government is willing to block internet access—just to control the narrative.
Equatorial Guinea
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been in power in Equatorial Guinea since 1979, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. As such, they don’t tolerate opposing voices there. The government leaves no space for independent journalism & you may be forcibly disappeared for criticizing the authorities.
Oman
Police use laws against “defaming the Sultan” or “disturbing public order” to silence dissent in Oman. In 2016, several activists were arrested for comments on Facebook & WhatsApp criticizing economic policies. You’re not even safe in private conversations—sharing negative comments could mean you’re arrested.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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