Several Brazilian lawmakers, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, are contesting Brazil's temporary ban on X (formerly Twitter) before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. They argue that the 39-day ban, implemented earlier this year, infringed upon freedom of speech and expression, particularly impacting political discourse during the election period.

Senator Eduardo Girao and four members of the Chamber of Deputies are at the forefront of this challenge. They allege that the ban, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes after X's refusal to remove specific accounts, constitutes a significant breach of constitutional rights and reflects a growing trend of state-sponsored censorship in Brazil since 2019.

Julio Pohl, Marcel Van Hattem, Eduardo Girao and  Tomás Henríquez (ADF International)

The legislators' petition highlights the disproportionate nature of the ban and its questionable legal basis. They emphasize the impact on over 20 million Brazilian X users who were denied access to information during the ban. ADF International's lead counsel, Julio Pohl, criticizes the Brazilian authorities for suppressing free speech during a crucial election period.

This legal challenge follows an open letter signed by over 100 prominent figures worldwide, including former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and journalist Michael Shellenberger, urging the Brazilian Congress to address the country's "censorship crisis." X owner Elon Musk has also expressed gratitude for the Commission and ADF International's involvement.

The Brazilian government banned X earlier this year.  (Getty Images)

Furthermore, Mike Benz, Executive Director of the Foundation For Freedom Online, has raised concerns about a "censorship industrial complex," alleging that U.S. agencies have encouraged censorship in Brazil and other countries to counter populist movements. He points to U.S. funding of NGOs as contributing to the implementation of censorship frameworks.

The five Brazilian lawmakers from left to right : Eduardo Girao, Marcel Van Hattem, Adriana Ventura, Ricardo Salles and Gilson Marques

Tomás Henríquez, ADF International's director of advocacy for Latin America, condemns the state-sponsored censorship in Brazil and calls for an end to the restrictions on free expression, emphasizing the importance of international institutions in upholding these fundamental rights.