Freedom of expression is recognised as the foundation of democratic societies, but as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights shows, this right comes with responsibilities and cannot be used to incite violence.
The proliferation of online, openly degrading pornography, particularly involving violence and aggression against women, raises great concerns. There is a pressing need for clear legal standards and effective regulatory frameworks to address this issue and clarify the limits between freedom of expression and the apology of violence against women.
Material that perpetrates harm, violence and degradation in this way must be regulated, or at least prohibited from open access. Making such explicit material accessible, especially involving non-consensual or degrading acts, contributes to normalising harmful behaviour and to the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes, especially among children.
The Parliamentary Assembly has already drawn attention to the serious impact of degrading pornography on the behaviour of children and adolescents, who learn to link violence and the degradation of women with sexual pleasure and excitement. The youngest generations must be protected; further, the negligence of member States in protecting children from aggressive and violent pornography is an omission of duty.
The Assembly should examine this issue, in particular in the current context of increasing online violence, with a view to recommending measures that strike a balance between individual rights and collective welfare.