This statement was originally published on freeturkeyjournalists.ipi.media on 30 November 2020. Today, the International Press Institute (IPI) published the Report “Turkey’s Journalists on the Ropes”, the result of the joint International Press Freedom Mission to Turkey October 6-9, revealing the extent of the crackdown on media freedom and calling for concerted action by the international community…
Solidarity with the people of Belarus, protests protect the right to information in France, and an EU Magnitsky Act
Solidarity with the Belarusian people, sanctions on their oppressors November was another month of repression, resistance and tragedy in Belarus. But it was also one that saw great acts of global solidarity and a ramping up of international pressure on President Lukashenka’s regime. Mid-month, IFEX member the Belarusian Association of Journalists won the First Canada-UK…
Media killings, zines promoting women’s empowerment, and the dangers of criticizing monarchies
Six journalists were killed in November across the Asia-Pacific. The past month also saw the further erosion of civic space in Thailand and Malaysia where citizens faced persecution for speaking out about the royal family in their respective countries. Opposition legislators were removed in Hong Kong, which was followed by the resignation of the pro-democracy…
Protecting public watchdogs across the EU: A proposal for an EU anti-SLAPP law
A CALL FOR ACTION This paper was drafted[1] at the initiative of a coalition of non-governmental organisations from across Europe that have been working together over the past years to raise awareness and urge policy makers to protect public watchdogs such as journalists, rights defenders, activists and whistleblowers from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).[2]…
As domestic violence rates soar during COVID-19, women’s groups are leading the protest across Europe
This statement was originally published on hrw.org on 27 November 2020. By Hillary Margolis, Senior Researcher, Women’s Rights Division As violence against women repeatedly grabs headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, women across Europe are at the forefront of mass protests demanding government action to protect women from abuse. Some argue that women shouldn’t risk their…
Mozambican authorities asked to uphold media freedom prior to UPR process
This statement was originally published on cipesa.org on 30 November 2020. By Edrine Wanyama In April 2021, Mozambique’s human rights record will be assessed under the Universal Peer Review (UPR) process at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The assessment will need to shine a light on Mozambique’s record on online and offline rights to…
Mauritius’s newly introduced tax on online services threatens freedom of expression
This statement was originally published on cipesa.org on 26 November 2020. By Thomas Robertson Under the premise of Covid-19 austerity measures, the government of Mauritius passed a new tax on digital services in August 2020. The “Liability to Value Added Tax on Digital and Electronic Services” is one of the several amendments to the Value…
HRNJ-Uganda concerned by sharp increase in attacks on media
This statement was originally published on hrnjuganda.org on 19 November 2020. Ashraf Kasirye, a freelance journalist with Uganda Radio Network, was yesterday 18 November 2020 pepper-sprayed by police while taking pictures of officers arresting the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential Candidate, Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine. Kyagulanyi was arrested from Kiyunga playground, Luuka…