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In practice, freedom of expression is yet to be a reality for a majority of people’, said Special Rapporteur Pansy Tlakula, who oversees the evolution of free expression in part of South Africa. As Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, she organizes elections by registering political parties and managing election funds. She calls this her full-time job, and it kept her busy in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006. (31-JAN-07) Photo: Independent Electoral Commission
 

There is more discussion of climate change taking place in the UK than ever before. At the same time, challenging the dominant view on climate change is fast becoming taboo. Academics and lobby groups who argue that the dangers and extent of climate change are being over-exaggerated are being labelled ‘climate change deniers’ and have, in some cases, been directly compared to holocaust deniers. There have even been calls to make the denial an offence, equating the questioning of scientific theory with a crime against humanity. For many, this has been seen as preemptive censorship and a hindrance to rational debate. Furthermore, there are worries that the public is being given access to only one side of an ongoing debate. (19-JAN-07)
 

Journalists associations have urged Mexico’s new president to investigate the recent murders of journalists in the country. Demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. In the month of November alone, three journalists were murdered, bringing the total number this year to seven. English PEN is among those  drawing attention to the current plight facing Mexico’s media workers. (08-DEC-06)
 

ARTICLE 19, the Campaign for Free Expression,  issued a press release on 14 November calling for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution that would call for an end to human rights violations in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). The Council held formal talks on the issue on 29 September. It is hoped that a resolution would help put an end to the forced labour in the country as well as lead to the release of some of the more than 1000 imprisoned political opponents, including leader of the opposition Aung San Suu Kyi. (28-NOV-06)
 

As the death toll reaches an estimated 154 since the allied invasion in 2003, the Iraq war is proving to be the deadliest for journalists and media workers since World War II, and Baghdad claims the title of the world’s most dangerous city for journalists. And as the allied offensive subsides, the death toll is rising; 2006, a record year in itself for the number of journalists killed worldwide, is proving to be the most violent year in Iraq since the war began. Over 50 journalists and media workers had been killed by November. Murder accounts for the predominant cause of death in a country where little or no protection is offered to journalists, and the security situation continues to worsen. (24-NOV-06)
 

Human Rights Watch released a 45-page report on 2 November detailing the UK’s manoeuvres around bans on torture. The US-based international human rights organisation said that Britain is supporting torture policies, while at the same time continuing its long-time support of anti-torture agreements. According to the report, the government has sought to reinterpret laws which ban court evidence gained from torture, has tried to deport detainees to countries that are known to torture, and has provided information that has led to the torture of suspects. Human rights advocates have spoken out against these recent actions, stressing the importance of retaining the basic principles of human decency. (17-NOV-06)

On 26 September Berlin´s Deutsche Oper cancelled the performances of Hans Neuenfels’ production of Mozart´s 1781 opera Idomeneo (pictured right) because of a police tip-off that the show could incur Muslim displeasure. Despite speculation that the opera will be rescheduled with extra security measures the action has led to renewed concern in the West that fundamentalism and the threat of violence has led to increased self censorship and is threatening one of our most valued fundamental rights – freedom of expression. (10-NOV-06)
 

As a country that has restricted religious freedom since its Soviet days, Republic of Uzbekistan now plans to increase punishment for those who express their religious beliefs. The proposal released by the Religious Affairs Committee threatens a fine of 200 to 600 times the monthly minimum wage (which is about US $10) for anyone who shares their beliefs outside of their religious communities. Repeat offenders could face three to eight years in prison along with the leader of their religious community. (03-NOV-06)
 

Concern is mounting that moves by the United Nations aimed at curbing xenophobia in the media could be used to attack the freedom of the press in some countries. The United Nations’ willingness to use the word ‘defamation’ in conjunction with religion gives cover to countries that want to use blasphemy laws to target the independent media. In light of the jailing of journalists following the publication of cartoons which depicted the prophet Mohammed, free press campaigners are warning that the casual deployment of the phrase may mortally wound objective media outlets in some countries. (27-OCT-06)