LEGAL ANALYSIS
Middle East and North Africa: Historic opportunity for freedom of expression
In the last twelve months, the mass demonstrations against autocracy and injustice in the Middle East and North Africa have inspired people globally to expect more of their governments, and to hold them to account when they do not deliver. Read more >STATEMENT
Malaysia: Passage of the ‘Peaceful Assembly Bill’ threatens the voice of civil society
On 20 December 2011, the Malaysian Dewan Negara (Senate) passed the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill, despite widespread opposition from local civil society, the Malaysian Bar Council, international non-governmental organisations, and the United Nations. Contrary to its euphemistic title, the bill will instead impose far greater limitations on the rights to freedom of assembly and of association.
Read more >STATEMENT
International NGOs stand up for human rights in Belarus
International NGOs organized street actions across Europe to stand up for human rights in Belarus on 19 December 2011. Joint actions by NGOs will take place in London, Zurich, Prague, Berlin, Stockholm and Amsterdam. Groups of Young European Federalists across Europe have also organised protests.
Read more >STATEMENT
Kazakhstan: Two decades of independence has not benefited free speech
The absence of information following several violent clashes on 16 December between police and demonstrators in Zhanaozen exemplifies Kazakhstan’s lack of progress in protecting and promoting the right to freedom of expression.
Read more >STATEMENT
Friends of misfortune: Journalists in Mexico and Russia
On December 16, ARTICLE 19 and the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ) held their first one-day meeting to share experiences of addressing violence against journalists, exchange best practices and strategies on protection, and learn from each other.
Read more >STATEMENT
The Gambia: Freedom of expression continued casualty
On the occasion of the seven-year anniversary of the killing of renowned Gambian editor, Deyda Hydara, ARTICLE 19 remains increasingly concerned at the continuous critical situation of freedom of expression in the Gambia. The situation has been particularly critical following the November 2011 general election, confirming the President, Yahya Jammeh remains in power for the fourth term under circumstances that many observers have described as intimidating and falling short of international legal standards.
Read more >PRESS RELEASE
Hungary: ARTICLE 19 condemns Media Authority refusal of license to Klubrádió
Klubrádió’s prospective closure means the silencing of Hungary’s only remaining independent radio station and a significant blow to the media pluralism in the country.
Read more >PRESS RELEASE
Russia: Newspaper publisher killed in Dagestan on journalist remembrance day
Just before midnight on 15 December – coincidentally national day for remembering killed Russian journalists - the founder of the independent weekly newspaper Chernovik, Khadimurad Kamalov, was shot dead in Makhachkala in the Republic of Dagestan.
Read more >AZAD TRIBUNE
Identified Flying Object
In addition to the usual discussions around the UK Embassy storm and the internal conflicts in Iran between the head of powers on who gets to have more seats in the next parliament, the hot discussion of the week was and still is about the ‘Drone’ and all its mysteries. Iran claims it had brought down, using cyber-warfare, an intact US drone in the east of the country, as the identified flying object was doing its intelligence surveillance on Iran’s soil. The initial US reaction to this incident was quite controversial and interesting as they said: "Iran hacking into the drone is as likely as an Ayatollah standing on a mountain-top and using thought waves to bring it down."
Read more >UPDATE
Cambodia: Protest over draft law
On 20 December 2011, 54 Cambodian citizens from Phnom Penh and 23 provinces gathered in front of the National Assembly, where they peacefully unrolled a 230 meter long blue kramar petition with 10,697 thumbprints to protest against the draft 'Law on Associations and NGOs'.
Read more >ADVOCACY LETTER
Cambodia: Revise or abandon draft NGO law
Donors, who provide approximately half of Cambodia’s national budget, should make clear to the Cambodian government that the fourth draft of the Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO) must be revised to protect civil society or be withdrawn, a group of concerned international human rights organizations said today.
Read more >
