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ARTICLE 19 has raised concerns about the failure of the Government of Republic of Kenya to respect and promote freedom of expression and freedom of information. These issues were outlined in comments ARTICLE 19 submitted this week to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), in preparation for its first Universal Periodic Review of Republic of Kenya in May 2010.

English PEN strongly protests the ten year prison sentence handed down to former Nanjing Normal University associate professor and Internet writer, for ‘subversion of state power’. Simultaneously, Reporters Without Borders voiced their concern about freedom of expression websites being blocked by the People´s Republic of China.

ARTICLE 19 today launches a report analysing the implementation of the Law on the Right to Obtain Information in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The report concludes that the Azerbaijani Government must implement a comprehensive action plan in order to effectively implement the law, or the right to freedom of information will remain inaccessible.

English PEN welcomes the release on bail of leading Canadian-Iranian journalist, writer and film-maker Maziar Bahari, on 17 October 2009. The Newsweek reporter and filmmaker had been detained in Islamic Republic of Iran since the June elections.

ARTICLE 19, English PEN and Index on Censorship welcome the UK
government’s drive to repeal criminal libel and sedition: outdated laws that continue to cast a chill over free speech worldwide.

ARTICLE 19 is shocked at the killing of Maksharip Aushev, a well-known activist from Ingushetia. Aushev was killed on 25 October in Kabardino-Balkaria, a neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, when his car came under fire from another passing vehicle. Aushev’s cousin, who was travelling with him, was badly injured in the attack.

Index on Censorship and English PEN called on MPs to strengthen the public’s right to information. Individuals and companies should no longer be free to gag the press, said Editor of Index on Censorship.

The Burmese Theatre Workshop – the UK’s first ensemble of Burmese actors – presents ‘Let Me Out of Hell’, a performance about Burma, post Cyclone Nargis.

Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code remains a tool to silence critical voices, despite being amended in April 2008 and official reports that charges under this article have decreased. ARTICLE 19 believes it to pose a threat to free expression.