Amnesty Week Explores Freedom of Speech and its Limits
By Mr Piesse, NHEHS Amnesty Youth Group Leader
What is freedom of speech? Which limits are being placed upon it?
What are our rights and responsibilities?
How can one make sense of moral questions around freedom of speech, in an increasingly polarised world? And, what does acting ethically look like in 2026?
Last week, NHEHS focused on these fundamental issues, as part of our whole-school aim to develop ethical leaders. In a powerful assembly, the Amnesty Youth Group spoke about important legal frameworks designed to uphold fundamental freedoms, such as the Human Rights Act in the UK and the International Criminal Court, across the world. They also spoke about the delicate balance between protecting freedom and promoting security and highlighted how this balance is being skewed away from freedom of speech, due to rising authoritarianism and media repression, even here in the UK. Volker Turk, UN Human Rights Representative, called this trend ‘deeply troubling’.
Freedom of speech-related themes were also explored in different lessons through different means. For example, in History of Art, students learnt about Grayson Perry’s Committed Art, whilst in Year 12 Enrichment, girls debated ethical action in the context of recent polemics, including the Manosphere and the Jeffry Epstein debacle. Meanwhile, French students learnt about Albert Camus, whilst Drama students re-enacted Antigone’s bravery.
The Amnesty Youth Group’s assembly ended with some important takeaways: being aware of one’s rights and responsibilities, critically evaluating information and taking concerted action. Such action entails commitment, care and creativity, all of which were encapsulated in the Walk to Richmond, which defied the rain and raised 500 pounds for Amnesty.
In conclusion, Amnesty Week marked an important milestone in the school’s ongoing mission to form ethical leaders. In the words of the Amnesty Leads, Mila Cassidy and Olivia Miller, we must continue to ‘express and not repress ourselves’.
The Amnesty Youth Group 2026
Donations to Amnesty are still most welcome via this Justgiving link. Thank you!
