harassment
Wednesday 17.3.2021 Belarus - Latest Developments -
Authorities embark on coordinated reprisals against CSOs, HRDs following mass 2020 protests
Post-election protests continued to December 2020; Reports reveal extent of violent crackdown on post-election protests by law enforcement; Dozens of journalists, HRDs, CSOs targeted in coordinated raids; Journalist detained upon arrival at the airport in Minsk; TUT.BY journalists persecuted by Belarusian authorities; Read more
Tuesday 16.3.2021 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Ahead of new Sri Lanka resolution, civil society and UN highlight ongoing rights concerns
The Human Rights Council (HRC), which is currently holding its 46th session, is negotiating a new resolution on Sri Lanka on the implementation of the HRC’s recommendations related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights. Human rights groups have warned of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka. In recent months, there have been restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly against civil society members, journalists in the North and East while human rights lawyer, Hejaaz Hizbullah remains in detention. Further a journalist is at risk of arrest for her Facebook posts, a former police investigator targeted for exposing human rights abuses is still in detention while a parliamentarian has been sentenced to a four year prison term for contempt of court. Read more
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
Thursday 11.3.2021 North Macedonia - Latest Developments -
Online harassment via Telegram sparks protest
Several protests took place during the reporting period on environmental rights, eduation, labour and womens rights. Global voices condemned an online hate campaign against the Metamorphosis Foundation. In addition, media organisations raised concerns over the process of amending the Law on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, initiated by a group of ruling majority MPs. Read more
Thursday 11.3.2021 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuba reacts swiftly to popular song criticising revolution
In February 2021, a song criticising Cuba’s situation went viral on social media and elicited a strong reaction from the government. “Patria y Vida” by Cuban artists Yotuel Romero, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Maykel Osorbo and El Funky touches on socio-political issues in the country, with lyrics condemning the Cuban revolution and government. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 11.3.2021 Fiji - Latest Developments -
Fiji’s UN rights role marred by continued civic space concerns in the country
Civil society groups in Fiji have called on the government there – with its ascension to the presidency of the Human Rights Council – to address its own chequered rights record including concerns about civic space violations. In February 2021, academic and whistleblower Professor Pal Ahluwalia was deported. The Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) is still waiting to hear from the police on a request for a march and rally on 1st May this year. Civil society has also raised concern about human rights violations by the police Read more
Wednesday 10.3.2021 Senegal - Latest Developments -
Protests and clashes after arrest opposition leader: several killed, arrested, TV stations suspended
Tension has been on the rise in Senegal since the leader of political opposition party PASTEF (Patriotes du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité) and member of parliament Ousmane Sonko was accused of sexual assault and death threats. Sonko denies the accusations and accuses authorities of a 'political complot'. Protests and clashes erupted and security forces, killing eight people, journalists have been subjected to threats and political supporters and activists have been arrested.
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| Read in French
Tuesday 9.3.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Deadly violence against protesters by security forces as crackdown escalates in Myanmar
Over the last month, protesters demanding an end to the military's rule were met with live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon by security forces as they attempted to disperse protests. Laws have been amended by the military to restrict civic space and there have been ongoing arrests of political leaders, government officials, civil servants, activists, student leaders and doctors, as well as anti-coup protesters. Read more
Thursday 4.3.2021 France - Latest Developments -
Worsening crackdown on civic space by Macron’s government to preserve ‘republican values’
French authorities have cracked down on civil society organisations (CSOs) accused of opposing the ‘Republican order’ and being ‘radical Islamists’. CSOs have also been under attack from extreme right and mainstream political forces, who have expressed stigmatising views towards Muslims and Muslim organisations. Following this, the French government led several initiatives which threatened civic space and the rule of law in France, which includes the draft Anti-Separatism law and the draft bill on Global Security. Objectors to the draft law on Global Security have maintained ongoing protests . The most controversial protest occurred in Paris, where organisers noted that police officers blocked access to the protest, refused to reveal their identification numbers and assaulted participants. There have been over 13,000 arrests in relation to these protests thus far.
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| Read in French
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
