The 'universal right of ... free expression' that you mention is not quite universal. One does not simply have the right to declare that all members of [insert

The 'universal right of ... free expression' that you mention is not quite universal. One does not simply have the right to declare that all members of [insert group] should be [insert unpleasant fate's verb's past participle]: there happen to be hate speech laws... similar situation for slander. That's all very well, but then one finds that anti-Iraq War activists have those same provisions used upon them. What's to stop governments from extending this further and further until we find that we are in an Iran or China like situation? It's not particularly likely but it is still possible, given the situation. Not implying that situation in Iran or China or any other similar countries is comparable to that of much of Europe, though. Just suggesting that there are limits and that the question is how far these limits go, not whether these 'rights' exist at all. In Iran/China everyone is free to support the government, hence very limited free speech.