restrictive law
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
Friday 4.6.2021 Australia - Latest Developments -
Whistleblowers still facing prosecution in Australia, new harsh sanctions against charities proposed
Whistleblowers continue to face prosecution, while the federal government is currently pursuing regulatory change to allow for the deregistration of charities in cases where staff commit minor of legal breaches. Protesters continue to face arrests but a a dangerous anti-protest law was voted down in Tasmania’s upper house. 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
Tuesday 1.6.2021 Fiji - Latest Developments -
Fiji authorities target critics, deny union march as press freedom ranking drops
CIVICUS continues to receive reports of increasing harassment, arrests and detention of online critics, while press freedom continues to remain at risk. Further, the Fiji Trade Unions Congress has once again been denied the right to freedom of assembly. 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 27.5.2021 Venezuela - Latest Developments -
Venezuela cracks down on civil society operation and funding
On 30th March 2021, Venezuela’s Interior Ministry published Administrative Ruling 001-2021 for the Unified Registry of Obligated Subjects, requiring all non-governmental and non-profit organisations in the country to provide sensitive information regarding their activities. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 25.5.2021 Egypt - Latest Developments -
HRDs and journalists remain under threat
Despite some positive developments, journalists and HRDs remain under threat. While woman human rights defender and journalist Solafa Magdy and her husband Hossam Saiad were released from prison under precautionary measures, film editor Sanaa Seif was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on charges of 'spreading false rumours about the spread of COVID-19 in the Egyptian prisons' and 'the misuse of social media'. Journalist Hassan al-Banna has forcibly disappeared after being detained by the National Security Agency upon his arrival at Cairo airport on 18th April 2021, following his deportation to the country by Jordanian authorities. In addition, 29-year-old student and researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy has been arbitrarily detained since 1st February 2021 on bogus terrorism-related charges.
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Monday 24.5.2021 Kyrgyzstan - Latest Developments -
WORSENING CLIMATE FOR FREE SPEECH: SPATE OF THREATS AND ATTACKS AGAINST JOURNALISTS AND ACTIVISTS
During the period covered by this update, the authorities pushed through the controversial new constitution initiated after the October 2020 political crisis. Critics fear that the new constitution, which was approved in a referendum held in early April 2021, might legitimise authoritarian rule and undermine the rule of law in the country by granting the president excessively broad powers without an effective system of checks and balances. There are also concerns that some of the provisions of the new constitution might result in violations of the freedoms of expression, association and assembly. President Sadyr Japarov, who rose to power after the October 2020 political crisis, insisted that Kyrgyzstan would remain “democratic’’ following the adoption of the new constitution and that there would be no politically motivated persecution under his rule. However, the period covered by this update saw a series of cases of intimidation and harassment of activists and journalists, which reinforced concerns about a worsening climate for free speech and persecution of those who criticise, oppose and challenge the policies of the current authorities.
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Monday 24.5.2021 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore continues to stifle fundamental freedoms despite UN human rights review
In recent months, Singapore has continued to attack fundamental freedoms and use laws against critics and human rights defenders despite facing a UN review of its rights record. It has continued to wield repressive laws such as the Public Order Act and defamation provisions against human rights defenders, activists and journalists. It has also continued to criminalise individuals organising peaceful protests. Singapore has dropped two places in the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index. Most recently, it issued a warning around an event discussing LGBTQI+ issues. Read more
Friday 21.5.2021 United Kingdom - Latest Developments -
#KilltheBill protests continue amid police violence; Extinction Rebellion co-founder arrested
#KilltheBill protests against the policing bill continue across the UK, as protesters advocate for the protection of peaceful assembly rights. Meanwhile, the controversial bill has been declared in violation of international rights standards. Amid these developments, climate defenders from Extinction Rebellion remain under threat, with the arrest of the group's co-founder. In other concerning developments, Conservative MPs launched a complaint against independent race equality think tank Runnymede Trust, after the trust made critical comments about the governments controversial Race and Ethnic Disparities report. In addition, 200 UK NGOs have condemned government cuts to the aid budget which will have devastating consequences for the sector.
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