PRESS RELEASE
International experts call for a 'crime against free expression
Today, 25 June, International experts mandated by the UN,
African Union, Organization of American States and the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe will jointly call for all
governments to create a new category of ‘crime against free expression’
in response to the increasing number of attacks against journalists,
media workers, bloggers, human rights defenders and others targeted for
exercising their right to freedom of expression. The category of crime
against freedom of expression will warrant higher penalties, on the
ground that crimes against those exercising their freedom of expression
undermines the right to know of all, and affect societies as a whole. Read more >
STATEMENT
Joint declaration on crimes against freedom of expression
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and
Expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization of
American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and
the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Special
Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
Read more>
STATEMENT
Rio+20 Summit: Positive highlights in overall unambitious document
On 22 June, world leaders attending the United Nations Summit on
Sustainable Development – known as Rio+20 - issued the long-awaited “The
Future We Want” document that has been negotiated for over two years.
The document has been heavily criticised by civil society as being
unambitious and lacking in tangible commitments to ensure sustainable
development and protect the environment.
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STATEMENT
Azerbaijan: Freedom of expression situation worsens in aftermath of Eurovision
The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA), coordinated
by ARTICLE 19, condemns recent actions taken by the Azerbaijani
authorities to limit freedom of expression and freedom of information.
In the aftermath of the Eurovision Song Contest, the authorities have
targeted critical journalists and activists and adopted legislation
which contradicts international freedom of information principles. These
moves occur against the backdrop of an overall alarming freedom of
expression situation, which must be urgently addressed.
Read more >
STATEMENT
Call to free detained Human Rights defenders in Syria
The undersigned rights groups from around the world are seriously
concerned about human rights defenders, journalists, writers and
bloggers in Syria who have been subjected to enforced disappearance,
which has contributed to the lack of credible information available
about human rights violations on the ground.
Read more>
PRESS RELEASE
Azerbaijan: Council of Europe adopts resolution on political prisoners
The Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe
has adopted today, 26 June 2012, a long-awaited resolution on political
prisoners in Azerbaijan. The resolution calls upon the Azerbaijani
authorities to resolve the more than 80 cases of political prisoners
currently in jail in the country as well as to ensure that no further
arrests are made on politically motivated charges.
Read more >
PRESS RELEASE
Burundi: Jailing of journalist a travesty of justice
ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the imprisonment of Hassan Ruvakuki, a
reporter for local radio station Bonesha FM and French government-funded
broadcaster Radio France Internationale on a charge of "participating
in acts of terrorism.”
Read more >
PRESS RELEASE
England and Wales: Criminalising Twitter airport joke violates free expression
Today, 27 June, the High Court for England and Wales hears an appeal by
Paul Chambers who was convicted after Tweeting about blowing up an
airport. ARTICLE 19 has filed a submission urging the Court to allow the
appeal arguing that criminalising jokes online is a violation of the
right to freedom of expression.
Read more >
PRESS RELEASE
Ethiopia: Conviction of journalist on terror charges is a miscarriage of justice
ARTICLE 19 is saddened by the conviction of 24 Ethiopians, including
Eskinder Nega, a prominent journalist and blogger, who had been charged
with conspiring with rebels to overthrow the government.
Read more >
PRESS RELEASE
Russia: Putin’s party threatens law on ‘defamation of religions’ to deal with Pussy Riot
ARTICLE 19 is alarmed by the intention of President Putin’s political
party to criminalise so-called ‘defamation of religions’ in retaliation
against legitimate artistic expression.
Read more >
PRESS RELEASE
Uganda: Government should desist from infringing on freedom of expression and association
ARTICLE 19 is concerned at the recent moves by the Ugandan government to
curtail freedom of expression through intimidation and threats to
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). ARTICLE 19 calls upon the
government to respect and promote freedom of expression as defined by
the Constitution of Uganda and the international human rights
instruments that the country voluntarily ratified.
Read more >
UPDATE
Victory for the people! ACTA flatly rejected by the INTA Committee of the European Parliament
In a key vote this morning, the INTA committee rejected ACTA by a clear
majority (19/12). By the same majority the Committee also decided
against postponing the vote until the Court of Justice of the European
Union (CJEU) gives its opinion on the legality of the agreement. For
everybody involved in intense advocacy efforts to convince the European
Parliament to reject ACTA, this morning was an important victory.
Read more >
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Deaf to Daw Suu
But meeting Daw Suu I can begin to understand the feeling - it felt like
I spoke with her for an hour, but I barely remember what she said.
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Rio day 10: Its the end of the world (and I feel fine)
Last bus. It's still grey after raining hard last night but looks like it might clear.
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Aung San Suu Kyi: UK parliament at its best and at its worst
Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in the UK on Tuesday with a full schedule
organised by the British Foreign Office carefully crafted to ensure
civil society was kept if not out, at least at the boundaries. We
wouldn't want anyone to say anything that ruins the moment.
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Rio Day 9: The walking dead
Pretty much everything here is now falling apart. Everyone is exhausted
(well those who have been here for more than a day) walking around like
zombies, voices rough, unable to articulate clearly when discussing
anything.
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Sheffield goes bananas
Last Friday I went to speak at a panel in the Sheffield Doc /Fest - the
UKs biggest documentary film festival. The panel, which was called
Stories lead to action, was organised by Working Films, a USA based
organisation which links filmmaking with activism.
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