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Egypt: Arrests of journalists and campaigners rings alarm bells for free expression campaigners
Several human rights organizations have voiced alarm at what appears to be an escalation of arrests and attacks on journalists and campaigners in Egypt. Prize-winning blogger Alaa Ahmed Seif al-Islam was among those arrested after after protesting against 30 April’s announcement that the country’s emergency law will be extended a further two years. (17-MAY-06)
The Maldives: Attacks against the press despite ‘Roadmap for reform’
Despite recent proposals for reforming and updating media law in the country, the Maldives is amongst the worst offenders against press freedom in Asia. On World Press Freedom Day, ARTICLE 19 and The Friends of the Maldives highlighted the Maldives, a country increasingly coming under scrutiny for its poor free expression record. (11-MAY-06)
PEN Writers in Prison Committee highlights the case of Jennifer Latheef
English PEN´s Writer in Prison Committee supports writers persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The PEN prisoner of the month for April is film-maker and democracy campaigner Jennifer Latheef. Latheef was charged with terrorism and with inciting a riot by the Maldives government and was subsequently jailed for 10 years on 12 September 2005. (26-APR-06)
From revolution to regression: LGBT rights in Eastern Europe
The Czech Republic recently passed a law granting watered-down civil unions for same-sex couples, while officials in the Russian Federation and Republic of Poland banned gay pride festivals. The state of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Eastern Europe is changing – and not always for the better. (10-APR-06)
Free expression mission to Nepal applauded by campaigners and journalists
In response to continued violations of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal, twelve international organisations, including ARTICLE 19, conducted a joint mission to Nepal from 20 to 25 March 2006. Journalists, human rights activists and lawyers, including Asma Jahangir, right, and media organisations around the world have expressed their support for the project, and voiced solidarity with media workers and campaigners in the region. Supporters of the mission called for the restoration of democracy demanding for the immediate lift of all curbs and restrictions on the media. (31-MAR-06)
Winners of the 2006 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards
Beatrice Mtetwa (pictured right), a prominent media and human rights lawyer working to defend and protect journalists in Zimbabwe, was presented with the Index Law Award on 22 March. Index on Censorship´s annual Freedom of Expression Awards honours journalists, writers, lawyers, campaigners, filmmakers and whistleblowers who have made a significant contribution to free expression over the past year. (24-MAR-06)
PEN hit by crackdown on NGOs
Russian PEN has become the latest victim of Putin´s campaign against free speech. Free speech defenders at Russian PEN Centre have been hit with an order freezing their organisation´s assets and threatening the group´s future ¨C a step widely seen as both unjust and probably politically motivated. The order came after allegations that the organization has failed to pay land tax. The charges come at the height of an apparent crackdown on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Russian Federation, particularly those with an international dimension. (17-MAR-06)
Index on Censorship announces awards shortlist
Index on Censorship has announced the shortlists for its annual Freedom of Expression Awards in London on 22 March 2006, honouring journalists, writers, lawyers, campaigners, filmmakers and whistleblowers who have made a significant contribution to free expression over the past year The awards, in their sixth year, will be presented at a special reception hosted by Anna Ford and sponsored by Bloomberg LP. (16-MAR-06)
Quiet Violence: Female Genital Mutilation inside the UK
An estimated three million women and girls undergo female genital mutilation each year, according to a 2005 Unicef report. For many Europeans and Americans, these are three million female victims we should feel sorry for or donate to, or perhaps read a book about a girl who survived this practice thousands of miles away from the FGM-free shores of Europe – but not an issue that seems to effect our neighbors down the street, our fellow citizens across town, or even ourselves. But the reality is closer to home than we think. (08-MAR-06)