internet restriction
Thursday 25.2.2021 Kyrgyzstan - Latest Developments -
Civil society flags threats to democracy, human rights and the rule of law during transition period
During the period covered by this update, Kyrgyzstan was in transition following the political crisis that emerged after the October 2020 parliamentary elections, when peaceful mass protests against the election outcome evolved into violent clashes with the police, where protesters seized government buildings and high-ranking officials resigned. Sadyr Japarov, who rose to power during the crisis, won a landslide victory in the presidential election held on 10th January 2021 amid concerns about the lack of a level playing field and the misuse of public resources in his favour. Japarov also used his campaign platform to encourage voters to support a presidential governance system during a referendum held on the same day as the presidential election. An overwhelming majority of the referendum participants supported presidential rule and a new constitution establishing such a system is now under consideration. A first draft constitution put forward in November 2020 drew heavy criticism, with its opponents warning that it would legitimise authoritarian rule and weaken human rights protection in Kyrgyzstan. Due to the criticism, plans to put this document up for a vote during the January 2021 referendum were abandoned and work on the draft constitution continues. Another measure criticised as inherently undemocratic was the parliament’s adoption of a law postponing new parliamentary elections until spring 2021. Human rights groups and labour organisations also rallied against a draft trade union law, which passed its second reading in parliament in November 2020. Intimidation and harassment of journalists, bloggers and other outspoken individuals were ongoing concerns.
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Wednesday 10.2.2021 Russia - Latest Developments -
Russia: Thousands arrested, fined, charged in nationwide pro-opposition protests
Thousands arrested, fined, charged in protests supporting Alexey Navalny; Habarovsk residents continue with sustained protests in 2020; New law bans foreign financing of demonstrations and rallies; Dozens of journalists arrested while covering protests; YouTube and Facebook risk fines for refusing to delete prohibited information; Russian journalist burns herself in protest against Russian authorities; EPDE publishes report on the effect of new laws on future elections Read more
Monday 8.2.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Civil disobedience movement mobilises against Myanmar coup despite net shutdown, arrests
On 1st February 2021, the Myanmar military regime seized power in a coup, arrested the civilian leaders of the national and state governments and announced a one-year “state of emergency.” Since then the military regime has blocked access to the internet as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Journalists have reported credible threats and some local journalists had reportedly gone into hiding. There have also been arrests of civil society activists following the coup. Pro-democracy activists have launched a civil disobedience movement in response Read more
Friday 5.2.2021 Venezuela - Latest Developments -
Escalation of attacks against independent media and civil society organisations in Venezuela
In January 2021, international human rights and press organisations alerted to a crackdown on the press in Venezuela. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 27.1.2021 Uganda - Latest Developments -
Turbulent election period sees attacks on opposition, internet shutdown and police violence.
Opposition leaders face attacks, arbitrary arrests and detention, ahead of and after January 2021 elections; Civil society efforts to monitor elections stifled by authorities; Election-related protests and rallies violently dispersed; Journalists targeted with violence by authorities; Internet, social media accounts shut down ahead of elections Read more
Tuesday 26.1.2021 Kosovo - Latest Developments -
Several protests staged demanding inclusion in government’s COVID-19 emergency package
During this period, several protests were staged demanding inclusion in government’s COVID-19 emergency package. There have also been cases of physical and verbal attacks on journalists.
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Friday 15.1.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuban government backtracks on talks with protesters and uses COVID-19 regulations to harass critics
As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, in November 2020 the arrest of musician Denis Solís González led artists and activists with Movimiento San Isidro to mobilise for his release. On 26th November 2020, the Cuban authorities raided the movement’s headquarters and detained 14 activists who had been on hunger strike for several days. Read more
Friday 15.1.2021 Turkey - Latest Developments -
Censoring critical voices: Social media giants fined; journalists, women HRDs behind bars
On 2nd October 2020, the Ministry of Interior announced as part of COVID-19 measures that activities held by NGOs, unions and cooperatives were required to be postponed until 1st December 2020. The Turkish President ordered the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) to be outlawed and its leadership prosecuted, accusing the association of terrorism after it criticised governments response to COVID-19. Several protests were staged by the association over this. In a separate development, after three waves of operations against it, eight women affiliated with Rosa Women’s Association were arrested while eight others were released on probation due to their work on womens rights. The imprisonment of journalist remains a concern with four journalists being detained following their repeated reports on an incident where two Kurdish villagers were allegedly tortured and thrown from a helicopter. In addition, journalist Ayşegül Doğan was convicted for "establishing an armed organisation" and sentenced to six years and three months in prison due to her reporting. In another act of censorship, Turkish authorities imposed fines of 10 million Turkish lira (one million Euros) to social media giants, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, for failing to comply with the new social media law. Read more
Tuesday 22.12.2020 Turkmenistan - Latest Developments -
While insisting it’s COVID-19 free, Turkmenistan renews efforts to clamp down on dissent
Turkmenistan’s government continued its policy of COVID-19 denial, claiming that the global pandemic had not reached the country, although independent Turkmenistan-covering outlets reported about a growing number of coronavirus infections. The authorities continued to use national, state-controlled media for propaganda purposes, while restricting access to foreign sources of information. Amid growing criticism of Turkmenistan’s government both on- and offline in recent months, the authorities continued to put pressure on outspoken activists living abroad, their relatives in Turkmenistan, and local residents suspected of ties with such activists. The reporting period also saw several new spontaneous protests initiated by residents of Turkmenistan who expressed their resentment at the shortages of basic food items sold at state-subsidised prices, and the shortages of cash at ATMs. Read more
Wednesday 16.12.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Laws on Foreign Agents and Cybercrimes restrict civic space further in Nicaragua
On 15th October 2020, Nicaragua’s lawmakers approved the “Foreign Agents Law” which expands government powers to control and muzzle civil society. Read more
