 RFE/RL Watchdog 3/25/2010 8:47:29 PM A blog of human rights, media freedom, and democracy developments from RFE/RL's broadcast region. For more, please visit and bookmark Watchdog . |
 Kyrgyz Independent Journalists To Create Union The chief editors of independent Kyrgyz media outlets gathered in Bishkek today to discuss the establishment of a union to protect their rights, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. More  Iranian Filmmakers Demand Release Of Famed Colleague A group of Iranian film directors and artists has written an open letter to the government demanding the "unconditional release" of prize-winning filmmaker Jafar Panahi. More Police in Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula are investigating a video that appears to show the violent killing of several men. More  Armenians Differ Over CPT Criticism Senior pro-government Armenian lawmakers have offered differing assessments of the latest Council of Europe report criticizing an official probe into 2008 postelection violence. More  Rafsanjani Grandson Out On Bail Iran has released a grandson of former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani after he expressed "regret" for taking part in postelection protests, according to a semiofficial news agency. More  Russian Police Whistle-Blower Convicted A Russian court has convicted a police officer of slander for his Internet denunciation of abuse and corruption within the police department. More  Iran Detainees' Families 'Kept Away' The mother of a jailed Iranian activist says families were banned from celebrating the Persian New Year outside the notorious Tehran prison where their relatives are being held. More  Amnesty International Says EU States Exporting Torture Instruments The London-based human rights body Amnesty International has claimed that some European Union states are selling torture equipment to foreign countries that are known to mistreat prisoners. More  Bloggers In Bashkortostan Charged With Extremism Five bloggers in Bashkortostan have been charged with extremist activities. More  Iran Activist 'Transferred To AIDS Ward' The mother of jailed Iranian labor activist Mansour Osanlou has told RFE/RL's Radio Farda he has been transferred to a prison ward for drug addicts and prisoners suffering from Hepatitis and AIDS. More  Answers Wanted On Iran Journalist Death The Paris-based media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, has asked for a full investigation into the case of Omidreza Mirsayafi, an Iranian journalist and blogger who died in prison one year ago. More  Bishkek Court Suspends Publication Of Two Independent Newspapers A court in Bishkek has ordered two independent newspapers to suspend publication for the duration of court proceedings against them. More  Ukraine Activists Protest Planned Closure Of Ministry Human Rights Section The Ukrainian human rights community has strongly objected to the planned abolition of the Interior Ministry's department for monitoring human rights. More  RSF 'Dismayed' By Kyrgyz Media Clampdown The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is "dismayed" at the "unprecedented wave of harassment" directed toward independent and opposition news media in Kyrgyzstan. More  Ethnic NGO In Russia Under Pressure A nongovernmental group in Russia that unites ethnic Ukrainians is under threat of closure. More  Russian Opposition Activists, Journalists On Hunger Strike In Astrakhan Several opposition politicians and journalists have begun a hunger strike in the Caspian city of Astrakhan to demand a halt to what they say is the persecution of opposition activists in the southern Russian region. More |
