internet restriction
Friday 4.6.2021 Belarus - Latest Developments -
Proposed law amendments in Belarus pose serious threats to Freedom of Expression and Press
The increased detention of over 480 journalists between 2020 and 2021, the searching of editorial offices and homes of journalists and the forced diversion of the Ryanair flight 4978 from Athens to Vilnius that subsequently led to the detention of journalist and political activist Roman Protasevich show that the Belarusian authorities are taking action to hinder freedom of the press. This is evident in the introduction of new amendments on 24th May 2021 that threaten the work of journalists. These are amendments to the Law on Mass Events, the Law on Mass Media, and the Law on Telecommunications. Read more
Wednesday 2.6.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Political prisoners tortured by Myanmar junta while activists criminalised and killed
Over the last month there have been reports of torture or other ill-treatment of political prisoners by the military junta as well as activists being attacked and killed. Activists also continue to face trumped up charges by the junta such as treason. Journalists continue to be targeted for their reporting while the junta is seeking to further limit the internet. Read more
Friday 28.5.2021 Bangladesh - Latest Developments -
Press freedom under assault in Bangladesh while critics, protesters also silenced
In recent months, journalists have been targeted for their reporting on the pandemic or being critical of the authorities. Some have been criminalised and attacked, including Rozina Islam, Abu Tayeb Munshi and Ruhul Amin Gazi and there is still no accountability for the death of writer and commentator Mushtaq Ahmed. Reports of police brutality and attacks by pro-government groups against anti-Modi protesters in March 2021 have yet to be investigated. Read more
Thursday 20.5.2021 Mexico - Latest Developments -
World Press Freedom Day in Mexico marked by killing of journalist
On World Press Freedom Day, 3rd May 2021, independent reporter Benjamín Morales was found dead with gunshot wounds in Sonoyta, Sonora state. Local outlets reported that police said “a message” had been left with the journalist’s body, but its contents were not disclosed. Read more
Wednesday 19.5.2021 Colombia - Latest Developments -
Protests against tax reform lead thousands to the streets in Colombia, face brutal police repression
Since 28th April 2021, nationwide protests sparked by a proposed tax reform have been brutally repressed by Colombian law enforcement. Mobilisation has continued after nearly three weeks, with protests growing to encompass multiple grievances and demands for social justice. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 19.5.2021 Tajikistan - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on independent media outlets, lawyers and political activists continues
Freedom of expression and information are so tightly controlled in Tajikistan that it has become virtually impossible for journalists to cover issues which the authorities perceive to be “sensitive” without endangering their safety or that of their relatives. The authorities use legal provisions which punish incitement to hatred or discord or “spreading of false information” to silence critical voices and create a climate of fear. Apart from targeting independent journalists, state persecution is particularly aimed at human rights lawyers and political opponents.
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Wednesday 12.5.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on activists, protesters continue in Myanmar despite ASEAN summit and global calls
Over the last month, the deadly crackdown on protests has continued. The Myanmar junta added a ban on satellite television while journalists continue to be targeted. Protest leaders have been targeted by the junta with arrests and fabricated charges while a leading human rights monitoring group has been accused of operating illegally. Read more
Tuesday 11.5.2021 Brazil - Latest Developments -
Dictatorship-era National Security Law used to intimidate critics in Brazil
On 29th April 2021, Brazil became the second country to surpass 400,000 coronavirus deaths, according to data by Johns Hopkins University. In April 2021 alone, the country lost nearly 85,000 lives – the deadliest month yet of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more | Read in Portuguese
Monday 3.5.2021 Turkmenistan - Latest Developments -
Turkmenistan: New internet restrictions, new cases of persecution of outspoken activists
During the reporting period, the government continued to claim that Turkmenistan was COVID-19 free, although independent sources have reported that the pandemic has taken a serious toll in the country. As part of their efforts to cover up the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the authorities made new attempts to track down medical workers sharing COVID-19 related information with exile-based outlets, which provide independent coverage of the situation in Turkmenistan. At the same time, President Berdymukhammedov attracted worldwide attention with his claim [https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmen-president-suggests-licorice-might-hold-the-answer-to-curing-covid-19/31028095.html] that liquorice might hold the answer to the cure for COVID-19 and ordered national scientists to work on a medicine based on this plant. Read more
Wednesday 14.4.2021 Oman - Latest Developments -
Omani authorities target online activists and environmental rights defenders
Online activist Muslim Al-Badi, surrenders himself to authorities to complete the one year and three months remainder of his sentence; several environmental activists arrested; Three online activists arrested; Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman bans voice chat application, Clubhouse Read more
