PRESS RELEASE
Greece: Democracy further weakened by the closure of ERT
ARTICLE 19 comments on the unprecedented decision to close the Greek public service broadcaster ERT:
"By flicking the switch and shutting down the entire public service broadcasting - the Greek government has cut a crucial supply of information to a great many remote and isolated communities at a time of national crisis. Austerity undoubtedly makes difficult demands, but it is disproportionate to restrict the flow of information in this way – particularly at time of important and ongoing public debate about the future of a nation” said Agnes Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19
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PRESS RELEASE
The true face of Turkey...
The recent violent crackdown by police against peaceful demonstrators throughout the country has shown the world a picture of Turkey that successive governments have taken great pains to hide. But the veil has been lifted by the police violence and the public remarks made by government officials, in particular Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Together, they demonstrate how little respect Turkey has for fundamental rights and freedoms today
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Protection needed for Prism whistleblower Edward Snowden
ARTICLE 19 calls for Edward Snowden to be granted legal protection against prosecution for his disclosure about the mass surveillance programme, Prism. Edward Snowden is a whistleblower who has revealed how national and international protection for online and telecommunications privacy has been seriously undermined by secret processes in the name of defending national security. His revelation is clearly in the public interest. Under international law, whistleblowers that expose illegal activity or the violation of human rights – even those who reveal classified information - in the public interest are protected from reprisals, including prosecution
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PRESS RELEASE
US Prism programme: Heed special rapporteur’s call for human rights compliant surveillance laws
ARTICLE 19 is concerned about recent reports that the US National Security Agency (NSA) and possibly other intelligence agencies have direct access to the communications data of millions of internet users under a programme known as Prism. The programme, which gives the NSA direct access to the servers of nine internet companies, was made possible by changes to US surveillance laws made under the Bush government and renewed under the Obama administration. It allows the NSA access to the communications data of the companies’ customers without having to request that information from the companies and without the need for individual court orders.
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STATEMENT
Russia: Ban on “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” violates international law
ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned that the Russian State Duma approved a ban on “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” under the guise of “child protection” measures. The adopted bill violates the rights of all people to free expression, and discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
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STATEMENT
EU: Sustained pressure needed against “homosexual propaganda” bans
ARTICLE 19 calls on the European Union (EU) to maintain pressure on countries that have adopted or are considering bans on so-called “homosexual propaganda”. This follows our discussions at the European Parliament last week with MEPs and civil society representatives from across Europe. ARTICLE 19 presented its report
Traditional Values? Censoring Sexuality, available in
English,
Russian and
French, which comprehensively sets out why bans on “homosexual propaganda” violate international human rights law.
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Russia: Religious insult laws a threat to free expression
ARTICLE 19 urges politicians to reject plans that will make the ‘insult of religious beliefs and feelings’ a criminal offence in Russia.
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Rwanda: Newspaper seizures must stop
ARTICLE 19 condemns the seizure of newspapers by security forces in Gatuna at the border with Uganda. Copies of the Rwandan newspapers Impamo, Rushyashya and Intego were held by guards on the grounds that they contained articles discussing whether the President might seek re-election for a third term. The majority of Rwandan newspapers are printed in Uganda, as printing costs are much cheaper there, and then transported across the border into Rwanda. The newspapers were confiscated on 4 June and released 3 days later.
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Kenya: Concern about closure of parliamentary press centre
ARTICLE 19 is concerned at the decision of the National Assembly to close the parliamentary media centre to build extra committee rooms. ARTICLE 19 believes this is likely to undermine the ability of journalists to report on the proceedings of parliament. The National Assembly should reverse this decision, or should urgently provide adequate alternative media facilities.
Read more >STATEMENT
OAS: Commissioners should be elected that are independent
ARTICLE 19 calls on member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) to cast their votes in favour of commission candidates that will not act as representatives of the interests of their own or any other state, but truly work for the realisation of human rights in the Americas.
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Sudan: Newspaper bans violate free expression
ARTICLE 19 condemns the forced closure of four newspapers by the Sudanese government. The publications have been shut down on the grounds of national security concerns, after reporting on the ongoing conflict in the country between the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Read more >ADVOCACY LETTER
Joint letter: Support for Rafael Marques de Morais
As leading democracy, human rights, and anti-corruption organizations, we are writing to express our concern about recent judicial actions taken against the Angolan journalist and human rights activist, Mr. Rafael Marques de Morais.
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Sudan: Newspaper bans violate free expression
ARTICLE 19 condemns the forced closure of four newspapers by the Sudanese government. The publications have been shut down on the grounds of national security concerns, after reporting on the ongoing conflict in the country between the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Read more >BLOG
Iran: One day to go
The final week in the run-up to the presidential elections is witnessing all sorts of drama – last minute coalitions, withdrawals, endorsements and sadly but unsurprisingly harsher crackdowns.
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