PRESS RELEASE
ARTICLE 19 welcomes UN Report emphasising free expression in development
ARTICLE 19 welcomes the Report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda which calls for the new post-2015 goals to drive five big transformative shifts, including effective, open and accountable institutions for all and to recognise peace and good governance as core elements of wellbeing, not optional extras. Read more>
PRESS RELEASE
Egypt: Prison sentences against 43 activists condemned
On 4 June 2013, the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced 43 people, including Egyptians and foreign representatives working for international NGOs, to prison terms ranging from one to five years, and ordered the confiscation of international NGOs’ funds and the closure of their offices.
Read more>PRESS RELEASE
Syria: Deteriorating health of arbitrarily detained human rights lawyer Khalil Ma’touq
New information obtained by human rights organizations has heightened concerns about the secret detention and failing health of a prominent Syrian human rights lawyer who has not been heard from since his arrest eight months ago.
Read more>PRESS RELEASE
Eritrea: UNHRC must renew mandate of Special Rapporteur
ARTICLE 19 calls on the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea. ARTICLE 19 also urges the Eritrean Government to issue an unconditional and official invitation to the Special Rapporteur, so that she can carry out her mandate and review the human rights situation in the country.
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UPDATE
UK: EDF sentences highlight need for review of protest laws
ARTICLE 19 is concerned that just a week after a UN independent expert recommended that the United Kingdom review its public order legislation, 21 climate activists have received criminal sentences under the offence of “aggravated trespass” for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
Read more >STATEMENT
Jordan: Website blocking order must be revoked immediately
Earlier this week, the Jordanian authorities ordered the blocking of nearly 300 local news websites, which had failed to register with the Culture Ministry under the country’s Press Law. ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the order and calls on the Jordanian authorities to revoke it immediately. Jordan must also repeal recently amended legislation giving the authorities greater powers to control freedom of expression online in breach of international human rights law.
Read more >PRESS RELEASE
Brazil: Concern abortion inquiry may threaten access to information
ARTICLE 19 is concerned that calls for a government inquiry into the funding of civil society organisations that work to promote safe abortion and campaign for the legalisation of abortion in Brazil are part of attempts to restrict public debate on the issue and are an attack on freedom of expression.
Read more >PRESS RELEASE
Uganda: Newspapers re-open but under strict conditions
ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned, however, about a number of conditions that have been set for these media during negotiations with the government that restrict their freedom to operate without governmental oversight. The terms agreed by the media organisations compromise their independence and will prevent reporting on matters that may be deemed to be critical of the government.
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PRESS RELEASE
Burundi: Assent for media law blow to free expression
The granting of assent to the Media Law is a severe blow to freedom of expression in Burundi. ARTICLE 19 finds the Media law to violate international standards on freedom of expression and pose a severe threat to press freedom in the country.
Read more >UPDATE
UNHRC: Oral statement on the right to freedom of artistic expression
ARTICLE 19 welcomes the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights’ report on the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity, and supports the recommendations included.
Read more >UPDATE
UNHRC: Oral statement on the situation of freedom of expression in Eritrea
ARTICLE 19 also welcomes the report by the special rapporteur on Eritrea, which details violations of fundamental human rights in the country and notes the failure of the Eritrean government to enforce and respect the rule of law. She makes clear in her report that freedom of expression and opinion, and freedom of assembly and association are severely curtailed, describing a climate of fear that is fuelled by rumours, propaganda and suspicion.
Read more >UPDATE
Statements from Ugandan Government
On the 7th day of May 2013, the Daily Monitor published a classified letter headed “proposed investigations” dated 29th April 2013 purportedly written by Gen. David Sejusa, addressed to the Director General, Internal Security Organisation and copied to a number of senior security officers, including the Chief of Defence Forces and the Director General, External Security Organisation.
Read more >BLOG
15 Days to Go
It’s never easy capturing the latest in free expression in Iran without missing out on loads, and the presidential elections coming up in a couple of weeks isn’t helping either. With Rafsanjani and Mashayi out of the picture, Iranians will end up with one of eight candidates all of whom have El Supremo’s seal of approval. Or do they? Let’s have a look at some webpages that might help.
Read more >UPDATE
8 Days to Go
I think we are good at making things up (‘We’ as in Iranians, of course). No wonder ‘dissemination of lies’ is something almost every prisoner of conscience in Iran is charged with. Here’s why I think what I think.
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