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Mirza Sakit: a new victim of the regime?
The case of Mirza Sakit, a satirical writer, whose critical poems against corruption and high ranking officials used to appear in “Azadlig,” “Bizim Yol,” and “Baki Bulvari” newspapers, has become In the center of public attention for last 2 months (18-AUG-2006)
IPI Concerned About Freedom of the Media in Azerbaijan
On 11 August 2006, the International Press Institute issued a press released,
where the special concern about press freedom in the Republic of Azerbaijan is reflected
(13-AUG-2006)
Amnesty International: Freedom of expression under attack
On 9 August Amnesty International issued the public statement about the concern at “the sharp deterioration in freedom of expression in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and in particular the killing, beating and intimidation of journalists”. The statement says that “a series of violent attacks on journalists and the lack of thorough, effective and independent investigations into these incidents have had a chilling effect on the freedom of expression in the country” (10-AUG-2006)
The statement of the Helsinki Committee in Poland regarding the death penalty
‘The persistent advocacy of the death penalty as a cornerstone punishment, upon which rests the power of law and the subsequent use of such a postulate to force through the reinstatement of the death penalty in Republic of Poland is harmful to the development of the moral and legal culture of the country’ states the Helsinki Committee in Poland. (18-AUG-06)
The statement of the Helsinki Committee in Poland regarding the lustration law
“In connection with the passing of the so-called Vetting Act (the Act of 21 July 2006 on the disclosure of information on documents of State security apparatus from the period between 1944 – 1990 and the contents of those documents) by the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, we feel an obligation to protest against some of its solutions, which violate human rights and the principle of the rule of law.”(18-AUG-06)
Mirza Sakit: a new victim of the regime?
The case of Mirza Sakit, a satirical writer, whose critical poems against corruption and high ranking officials used to appear in the newspapers Azadlig, Bizim Yol, and Baki Bulvari, has been the center of public attention for last 2 months (18-AUG-2006)
Statement of the Polish Helsinki Committee regarding the death penalty
´The persistent advocacy of the death penalty as a cornerstone punishment, upon which rests the power of law and the subsequent use of such a postulate to force through the reinstatement of the death penalty in Republic of Poland is harmful to the development of the moral and legal culture of the country´ states the Helsinki Committee in Poland. (18-AUG-06)
Extremist legislation in Russia
The new version of the law “On Counteraction to Extremist Activities” continues to attract keen attention of the independent media and human right activists. According to the amendments, adopted on July, 8th by the Russian State Duma in the third reading, any criticism against representatives of authorities could be considered as extremism. Human rights activists believe that the definition of extremism in the law is too wide and the authorities could use this law to repress any kind of dissidence, freedom of speech and make it an instrument of manipulations. (17-AUG-06)
Kenya Human Rights Commission against constitutional reforms
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) a member organisation of Human Rights House Project in the Republic of Kenya has rejected the emerging campaign for minimum constitutional reforms that is being pursued by sections of politicians in anticipation of the 2007 General Elections (18-AUG 06)
Extremist legislation
The new version of the law “On Counteraction to Extremist Activities” continues to attract keen attention of the independent media and human right activists. According to the amendments, adopted on July, 8th by the Russian State Duma in the third reading, any criticism against representatives of authorities could be considered as extremism. Human rights activists believe that the definition of extremism in the law is too wide and the authorities could use this law to repress any kind of dissidence, freedom of speech and make it an instrument of manipulations. (17-AUG-06)
Harassment of Moroccan journalists
Although the Moroccan press is one of the freest in the Arab world, there is still a great deal that needs to be done to ensure journalists work in a free and safe environment.
Harassment of Moroccan journalists alarms free expression advocates
Although the Moroccan press is one of the freest in the Arab world, there is still a great deal that needs to be done to ensure journalists work in a free and safe environment. Journalists are able to work fairly freely as long as they don’t examine sensitive subjects such as the monarchy, the Western Sahara and Islam — the very issues that worry and affect Moroccan people. Journalists working for independent publications and representatives from the free expression community have expressed concern over the authorities´ continual harrassment of the press. (14-AUG-06)