Freedom of speech is a fundamental right that enables individuals or groups to express their thoughts and beliefs without the risk of backlash, suppression, or legal consequences. This right is acknowledged as a fundamental human right by international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and is often protected by national constitutions. Expression is not limited to spoken or written words; it encompasses all forms of communication, such as art and digital media, allowing people to seek, receive, and disseminate information and ideas freely. Article 19 of the UDHR explicitly affirms the right to maintain personal opinions without interference and the right to communicate those opinions and information without constraints, crossing boundaries and in any chosen medium. However, the right to free speech is not without limits. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) notes that with these rights come responsibilities and, as such, they can be restricted under specific conditions to respect others' rights, reputation, or to safeguard national security, public order, health, or morals. Restrictions on free speech often pertain to issues like defamation, obscenity, public safety, and copyright infringement. The justification for these limitations is sometimes based on the need to prevent harm to others, as suggested by thinkers such as John Stuart Mill. Consequently, while the right to freely express oneself is held in high regard, it is understood that this right is not all-encompassing and must occasionally be balanced against other societal interests and values.

Hu Na, born on April 16, 1963, was a prominent Chinese tennis player who became famous not just for her skill on the court but also for a dramatic political affair. Her defection from China to the United States in 1982 caused considerable tension between the two nations, which had only started diplomatic relations three years earlier. This event was one of the first significant challenges to their budding diplomatic ties. From her youth in Sichuan province, Hu Na demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and was deeply dedicated to her sport, practicing for hours on end. Her father recognized her potential early on and sent her to a specialized sports school where she further honed her tennis skills. Her talent earned her victories at various levels, ultimately leading her to become China's top-ranked player and a spot on the national women's tennis team. The incident that would alter the course of her life occurred in July 1982. While in California with the national team for the Federation Cup, Hu Na abruptly left her hotel to take refuge with friends. By April the following year, she had officially sought political asylum in the United States, claiming she feared persecution for her refusal to join the Chinese Communist Party. The request put the United States in a difficult position. The Reagan administration, along with a sympathetic American public, seemed inclined to support her, yet the stakes were high. Granting asylum to Hu Na risked significant diplomatic fallout with China and could push an already tense situation towards further estrangement, potentially causing China to align more closely with the Soviet Union. China debated the situation, suggesting Hu Na's youth made her incapable of making such a decision independently and highlighting her lawyer's suspected influence.

The concept of human rights in the United States is rooted in a legal framework that encompasses elements such as the Constitution (especially the Bill of Rights), state constitutions, international laws, legislature outcomes, and public voting initiatives. With the Constitution as its cornerstone, the U.S. assures rights not only to its citizens but also extends certain freedoms to non-citizens. These rights have been subject to evolution and expansion, both in terms of their scope and the population segments they cover, due to changes in constitutional amendments, laws, and legal interpretations. American federal courts maintain the authority to oversee the application of international human rights law within the country. When it comes to global evaluations, the U.S. typically scores well on human rights measures. For instance, the Freedom in the World index rates it highly for civil and political freedoms, the Press Freedom Index acknowledges a generally satisfactory state of affairs in the U.S., and the Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit defines the country as a "flawed democracy." Nonetheless, the U.S. faces ongoing challenges concerning human rights issues. Tracing the history back to the era of British America, the initial human rights advocacy organization, aiming to end slavery, was established by Anthony Benezet in 1775. Shortly after, with the Declaration of Independence, the former Thirteen Colonies severed ties with the British Empire and asserted their newfound sovereignty. The declaration famously affirmed the concept that individuals are inherently equal and possess inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, a notion reminiscent of philosopher John Locke's principle of "life, liberty, and property." This ideology laid the groundwork for America's enduring commitment to human liberties.