access to info. law
Wednesday 10.8.2016 Niger - Latest Developments -
Niger activist sentenced for Facebook post
Abdoul Moumouni Ousmane, President of the Action Framework for Democracy and Human Rights in Niger received a six-month suspended jail sentence, along with a fine, for criticising the government on Facebook. Read more
Tuesday 9.8.2016 Chile - Latest Developments -
Police use excessive force against Chilean student protests
Protests by Chilean students against education reforms led to fierce clashes with police in the cities of Concepcion, Santiago and Valparaiso. Student leaders condemned authoritarian police practices during protests. Read more
Tuesday 9.8.2016 Paraguay - Latest Developments -
Peasant farmers handed heavy sentences after 2012 protest
On 11 July 2016, 11 campesinos (peasant famers) were found guilty of murder, land invasion and other crimes in relation to the 2012 operation known as the Curuguaty Massacre, in which both campesinos and police officers were killed. Civil society organisations have called attention to flaws in the investigation and trial. Read more
Monday 25.7.2016 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Torture, abduction and ethnic violence continue in Sri Lanka
In early June Velauthapillai Renukaruban a British-Sri Lankan visiting his family home in Jaffna, Northern Sri Lanka, was abducted by security forces. Sinhalese and Tamil students clashed at Jaffna University, in Northern Sri Lanka leaving 10 people injured and forcing the campus to close for two weeks. Police, military intelligence services and troops from the military special task force were all reported to have been deployed, sparking fears of further harassment by the state forces of Tamil student activists. Read more
Wednesday 20.7.2016 Italy - Latest Developments -
New regulations for civil society as threats continue against Italy's journalists
Reforms were passed on 18th June which could improve registration processes for CSOs; while journalists in Italy continue to face physical attacks, death threats and denial of information requests. Read more
Tuesday 19.7.2016 Brazil - Latest Developments -
Anti-terror law could restrict rights to association and peaceful assembly
A recently-enacted anti-terror law threatens basic freedoms as new assembly measures are introduced in advance of the Rio Olympics. Read more
Wednesday 6.7.2016 Costa Rica - Latest Developments -
Government strengthens cooperation with civil society organisations
Costa Rica is strengthening cooperation with CSOs, and largely respecting the right to peaceful assembly and expression.
Read more
Friday 1.7.2016 Malawi - Latest Developments -
Local groups worried about impending changes to civil society law
Legislative work is proceeding on new rules governing CSOs and on access to information, as civil society raises some concerns about both processes. Read more
Wednesday 29.6.2016 Japan - Latest Developments -
UN Special Rapporteur criticises Japan's freedom of expression laws
Large scale protests in June were generally peacefully observed while a UN Special Rapporteur criticises Japan's freedom of expression laws. Read more
Thursday 23.6.2016 Serbia - Latest Developments -
Media polarisation reported to be on the rise in Serbia
Civil society in Serbia is concerned that some media statements are reflective of rising tensions and a return to dark days of hate speech. Read more