censorship
Wednesday 7.4.2021 Malaysia - Latest Developments -
Malaysian government continues to silence dissent with emergency and repressive laws
In recent months, the police have investigated the former Attorney General related to his book, the courts have convicted a leading new website Malaysiakini of contempt and opened up investigations into its editor-in-chief Steven Gan and MP Charles Santiago for criticising the verdict. The authorities are also investigating an activist for his caricatures and have issued a new restrictive ordinance criminalising ‘fake-news’. A human rights lawyer working on a case against logging is facing lawsuits, while the police are investigating 11 individuals for a peaceful protest. A transgender women is facing arrest and threats for insulting Islam Read more
Tuesday 6.4.2021 Venezuela - Latest Developments -
Five HRDs released in Venezuela, but cases of arbitrary detention and intimidation continue
During the 46th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet spoke about the situation in Venezuela. Read more
Tuesday 6.4.2021 Hungary - Latest Developments -
Orbán’s government targets LGBTI rights amid the pandemic and bans protests
There have been several concerning developments regarding LGBTI rights. On 15th December 2020, the parliament amended the Hungarian Constitution to include the following sentence: “The mother is a woman, the father is a man”. In addition, the amendment prevents adoptions by non-married couples. These amendments will adversely impact on LGBTI people. There have been several moves to censor LGBTI content. The Labrisz Lesbian Association was ordered by the government to print disclaimers identifying books containing “behaviour inconsistent with traditional gender roles”. The book called “Wonderland is For Everyone” contains stories that promote respect of people from all backgrounds and sexual orientations. Legal proceedings were brought against RTL Hungary media group by Hungary’s media regulator for broadcasting an advertisement which raised awareness about LGBTI families. NGO's remain under thereat. Several NGOs have refused to comply with the foreign funding NGO law, which was declared in violation fo EU law by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). As a result, the Tempus Public Foundation, which was established by the government, rejected an EU grant application by the Power of Humanity Foundation (PHF). Read more
Thursday 1.4.2021 Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments -
Presidential elections amid internet blackout; civil society activist and publisher arrested
The Republic of Congo held presidential elections on 21st March 2021 amid an internet shutdown. Prior to the elections, on 15th March 2021, the Episcopal Commission 'Justice and Peace' received communication informing them that they did not have the authorisation to observe the elections. The reason given for the refusal was that the structure did not possess an operating receipt with 'electoral observation' as a declared objective. Read more | Read in French
Wednesday 31.3.2021 Sweden - Latest Developments -
Protests against COVID-19 measures; climate activists hit with large fines
On 6th March 2021, hundreds of protesters gathered for the first large-scale march against COVID-19 restrictions in Sweden. Due to the violation of the current law that forbids gatherings of more than eight people, police intervened and the protest was dispersed. Extinction Rebellion Sverige reported that protesters who took part in a civil disobedience protest by blocking streets in central Gothenburg in 2019 have been heavily fined. In a separate development, criticism arose after a municipality's leadership asked a library in Svalöv to remove a Facebook post about LGBTI certification obtained by its staff after completing a course. Read more
Monday 29.3.2021 Niger - Latest Developments -
Protests, clashes, internet shutdown follows second round of presidential elections
On 27th December 2020, legislative and presidential elections took place in Niger. Observers noted that the presidential elections could be the first peaceful democratic transition between two elected presidents in Niger. Since Niger's independence in 1960, the country experienced four coups.
As none of the presidential candidates gathered more than 50 percent of the votes, a second run-off vote between Mohamed Bazoum of the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) and Mahamane Ousmane was organised on 21st February 2021. Protests and clashes erupted on 23rd February 2021 when it was announced that Bazoum had won with 55.75 percent of the votes.
Read more
| Read in French
Friday 26.3.2021 Mexico - Latest Developments -
Bill to regulate social media threatens freedom of expression in Mexico
At the beginning of February 2021, Mexico’s Senate majority leader presented a bill to regulate social media platforms, which could constrain freedom of expression in the country. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 23.3.2021 Serbia - Latest Developments -
Intensifying attacks and calls for violence against CSOs and journalists by the Serbian government
During this period, smear campaign was launched, simultaneously appearing in all the major government-funded tabloids in Serbia, making tenuous connections between the investigative portal KRIK, a member of the Organised Crime and Corruption Research Network (OCCRP), and an organised criminal group headed by recently-arrested crime boss Veljko Belivuk, who is currently under investigation for several murders. In addition, attacks and smears escalated further when during a regular session of the National Assembly, the chief of the ruling party SNS’s parliamentary group “Aleksandar Vučić - For Our Children” and president of the Administrative Committee, MP Aleksandar Martinović, threatened that anyone who criticised the government would be “beaten in a sack”, thus openly calling for violence. Martinović also accused the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability and the Open Parliament Initiative of attempting to overthrow the government and revealed the exact location of the founder and director of CRTA, her place of residence and the model of car she drives, stating publicly "We know where you live". In addition, journalist continue to face intimidation, which include rape threats and death threats, for their journalistic work. Read more
Thursday 18.3.2021 Cameroon - Latest Developments -
Opposition protesters prosecuted in military courts; two journalists sentenced in appeal
On 15th January 2021, Human Rights Watch reported that 136 people, arrested in relation to the opposition protests on 22nd September 2020, remained in prison. Over 500 people, mainly supporters and members of opposition party Mouvement pour la renaissance du Cameroun (MRC), were arrested. Amnesty International said previously in December 2020 that several people have been tried or prosecuted, either before civilian courts or military courts Read more | Read in French
Friday 12.3.2021 Tanzania - Latest Developments -
2020 elections marred with gross irregularities spark growing concern for civic space in Tanzania
Tanzania’s general elections took place on 28th October 2020. Incumbent President John Pombe Magufuli claimed a landslide victory with a reported 84% of the vote in the presidential election. In the run-up to the elections, the fairness of the electoral process was repeatedly questioned by national and international observers, who pointed to an uneven playing field between the ruling CCM party and opposition parties. Several violations to civic space were documented in the lead up to, during and after the elections. Read more
