positive court ruling
Wednesday 21.10.2020 South Sudan - Latest Developments -
Continued violence and harassment of HRDs and journalists as UN extends arms embargo
Two South Sudanese aid workers killed by armed group in Jonglei state; Targeting and attacks against journalists in South Sudan continues as several journalists arrested and one killed; HRD and government critic Peter Biar Ajak, flees to the United States over fears for his life
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Monday 19.10.2020 Croatia - Latest Developments -
Journalist association and union call for media reforms and protections
During the reporting period, several gatherings were held, while adhering to the recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, the director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak stated that there is a high possibility that gatherings will be limited again in the autumn. The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) and the Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers of Croatia (SNH) sent an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek reminding them of unresolved challenges facing journalists and calling for a quality media strategy, new media laws and journalism funds. They also called on the government to adopt the promised media legislation reform and to solve cases of threats and pressure against journalists.
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Thursday 15.10.2020 United States of America - Latest Developments -
Protests against systemic racism continue despite flagrant attacks on civil liberties
At the end of August 2020, the shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer sparked further outrage and led to several nights of protests in Kenosha, where the shooting took place, and other cities. Read more
Thursday 8.10.2020 France - Latest Developments -
Unjustified ban on protests during pandemic; Charlie Hebdo faces attack again
The governments ban on peaceful assembly was criticised due to its selective nature where shopping malls, bars, restaurants and an amusement park were authorised to open again, bringing together hundreds of people in small spaces, while protests were reprimanded by law enforcement. As a result, some demonstrations planned in June 2020 were prohibited in France. Despite this thousands gathered for Black Lives Matter protests and in memory of Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation. The Council of State declared that the ban on demonstrations is not justified by the current health situation when the “barrier measures” can be respected or when the event is unlikely to bring together more than 5,000 people. Despite this, many bans were issued against demonstrations on the basis of disturbing public order and the state of health emergency and police detained protesters. In a separate development, French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, faced attacks yet again.
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Tuesday 29.9.2020 Lithuania - Latest Developments -
Protest over LGBTI rights; government praised for milestone NGO funding support
Lithuanian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are rejoicing after a National NGO Fund was established following many years of advocacy.
In addition, the Lithuanian administration has promised a further two million Euros for the NGO sector, which has been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In a separate development, in July 2020, around 500 people rallied in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital for LGBTI rights, calling on the government to legalise sex change and same-sex marriage and to highlight the harmful provisions of the controversial Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. In a positive development, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled in favour of a gay couple Beizaras and Levickas in a landmark case against hate speech.
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Wednesday 23.9.2020 Canada - Latest Developments -
Protests across political spectrum in Canada: demonstrations for liberty, defunding police
On 29th August 2020, hundreds of people demonstrated on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to protest pandemic safety measures which they say infringe on their personal rights. Read more
Wednesday 9.9.2020 Rwanda - Latest Developments -
Multiple Journalists Arrested Throughout COVID-19 Lockdown Period
At least six journalists arrested in the first two weeks of April 2020 for allegedly violating measures put in place by the government during the COVID-19 lockdown; as Rwanda approached its review by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), concerns mounted over a disconnect between law and practice even as the country was credited for undertaking extensive media reforms since its previous UPR review; The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) rules in favour of two Rwandan journalists, Agnès Uwimana and Saidati Mukakibib, who had been charged and sentenced for the publication of various articles in 2010, which criticised President Paul Kagame Read more
Tuesday 8.9.2020 Germany - Latest Developments -
Massive protests against COVID-19 measures; journalists’ safety compromised during protests
Protests against the measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Germany have continued and attracted increasingly more supporters from extremist groups, often turning violent. The protesters seem to represent only a small fraction of the German population, as opinion polls show strong public support for the government’s COVID-19 measures. Similar to previous demonstrations, these protest were supported by a wide range of interest groups, including left- and right-wing extremists, neo-Nazis, Pegida, anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists. Participants failed to respect social distancing rules which resulted in police dispersing the march. Several arrests were also made and several journalists report they were verbally or physically attacked.
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Tuesday 8.9.2020 Tanzania - Latest Developments -
Authorities embark on major crackdown on expression amid COVID-19 and ahead of elections
Opposition members power-through as elections approach; and HRDs stifled by overly stringent laws, raids and prosecution; Targeting of LGBTIQ+ community continues; Journalists, critics face backlash for reporting and speaking out about COVID-19 measures in the country; Journalists, media outlets and artists targeted for criticising president, politicians Read more
Monday 31.8.2020 United States of America - Latest Developments -
Black Lives Matter protests continue despite escalating tensions as federal troops deployed
In July and August 2020, protests against police brutality and systemic racism that began after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis continued across the country, often with violent clashes between militarised police and protesters. Read more
