HRD prosecuted
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
Friday 12.3.2021 United Arab Emirates - Latest Developments -
Extensive report reveals new details of the gross human rights violations suffered by Ahmed Mansoor
New report reveals new details regarding the UAE authorities’ persecution of high-profile human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor; Human Rights Watch criticised the decision of a United Arab Emirates court to sentence a Jordanian resident of the UAE, Ahmed Etoum, to ten years in prison followed by deportation; Read more
Wednesday 3.3.2021 Cambodia - Latest Developments -
Persecution of activists, opposition continue as Cambodia tightens control of online space
Over the last few months, human rights defenders and activists have continued to be targeted, with many facing trumped up charges. The authorities have also continued the judicial harassment of former members of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Journalists and musicians have been convicted while a new sub-decree for an internet gateway puts digital freedoms and privacy at risk Read more
Monday 1.3.2021 Chad - Latest Developments -
Increasing civic space restrictions months ahead of presidential poll
On 4th February 2021, authorities issued a ban on protests across the country, citing fears of public disorder. The ban followed a call by a coalition of opposition parties, human rights organisations and civil society organisations to mobilise on 6th February 2021 to protest against president Idriss Déby running for a sixth term in the upcoming April 2021 elections. On 6th February 2021, more than 100 people were arrested throughout the country. Read more | Read in French
Monday 22.2.2021 Philippines - Latest Developments -
Activists and journalists targeted as draconian anti-terror law challenged in the Philippines
In recent months, human rights defenders, trade unions and journalists have been arrested on fabricated charges and killed. The Department of National Defence terminated a decades-old agreement that prohibits state forces from entering University of the Philippines' campuses without prior notice to school officials while security forces raided an indigenous Lumad school in Cebu City. Civil society groups are challenging the draconian anti-terror law in the Supreme Court. Read more
Wednesday 17.2.2021 Poland - Latest Developments -
Polish Women’s Strike activists targeted by the state: Our livelihoods and families are under threat
On 27th January 2021 the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling, which outlaws abortion in cases of foetal abnormalities, was published in the Polish Journal of Laws, and came into effect. Following the ruling's enforcement, protesters took to the streets, and demonstrations are expected to continue in the weeks to come. Thus far at least 150 people have been detained during protests. Founders of the Polish Womens Strike have been charged for their role in protests. Police have used execessive force, tear gas, pepper spray, kettling tactics and physical violence. They have also used concerning detention methods which were documented in a recent report by the Polish ombudsperson. Amid these protests, censorship is a concern, with a draft law proposed which aims to prohibit social media platforms from blocking, banning or removing content that does not violate Polish law. In a further threat to press freedom, the government is pushing to introduce an advertising tax which will adversely impact independent media.
Read more
| Read in Polish
Thursday 11.2.2021 Guatemala - Latest Developments -
Violent year for the press and growing attacks on Indigenous rights defenders in Guatemala
After denouncing an alleged sexual assailant on 2nd December 2020, feminist group Colectiva Feminista Artesana and their member Alejandra Hernández began receiving threats on social networks. Read more
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
Wednesday 10.2.2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments -
Rights groups: increase in violations in 2020
Rights organisations have raised concern at the increase of human rights violations in the country in 2020. In its annual report, titled 'The return of the predators' and published on 2nd November 2020, Congolese press freedom organisation Journaliste en Danger (JED) said they had documented 116 press freedom violations, up from 85 the previous year. The majority of violations, which includes one journalist killed and tens of journalists detained, were perpetrated by state actors (authorities and security forces), followed by members and supporters of political parties and armed groups. Read more | Read in French
Wednesday 10.2.2021 Australia - Latest Developments -
Australia commits to press freedom reforms, better whistle-blower protection around UN review
In recent months, the government has made commitments to adopt reforms on press freedom and whistle-blower protect following inquries. The courts have highlighted concerns on government’s attempt to use national security powers to obstruct a whistle-blower engaging a barrister. Thousands came out for 'Invasion Day' protests with some arrests while an intelligence bill allowing for detention of children was rushed through parliament. Read more
