Freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a fundamental pillar of democratic life.

This summit, entitled “Freedom of Expression in the Face of Regulated Speech: Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy,” brought together Members of Parliament and political representatives from Europe, Africa, and the Americas to engage in high-level dialogue on freedom of expression as a cornerstone of democratic societies.

The discussions addressed the role of public institutions, parliaments, academia, culture, and international organizations in safeguarding this fundamental right, particularly in light of the ongoing debate surrounding the implementation and implications of the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

Increasingly, the peaceful expression of our convictions is being stigmatized as “hate speech” or “extremism,” while legislative initiatives presented as “regulation” risk enabling censorship and fostering a culture of cancellation that undermines democratic coexistence.

Convinced that it is possible to promote a renewed global commitment to freedom—particularly freedom of expression—we co-organized, together with the ECR and PfE groups of the European Parliament, the VII Transatlantic Summit, which took place on February 3, 2026.

This summit provided a decisive opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to freedom of expression and to develop a strong response that ensures a future in which dialogue and open debate can truly flourish.

If you want it slightly more diplomatic, more academic, or more media-friendly, I can tweak the tone.