public vilification
Monday 10.2.2020 Serbia - Latest Developments
Tightening the screws on dissent: N1 under attack
N1 journalists have faced a wave of aggression from Serbia's President and other senior ruling party officials. In particular, the media smear campaign against TV N1 program director Jugoslav Cosic accused him of receiving illicit funding to work against Serbia's interests. Given the failure of Serbian authorities to condemn the smear campaign, Cosic's lawyer announced he would seek a security risk assessment to ensure his physical safety. Read more
Friday 7.2.2020 Bulgaria - Latest Developments
CSOs react to sustained vilification of civil society in Bulgaria
Civil society organisations send joint letter to the institutions of the European Union to inform them about the ongoing campaign to denigrate civil society in the country, new regulations for qualifying for a driver's license in Bulgaria spark protests; residents from the city of Pernik, protest severe water shortage that has continued for months; Commissioner of the Council of Europe for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, urges authorities to firm up efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of minorities, also expresses concern at the state of media freedom in the country Read more
Tuesday 4.2.2020 Australia - Latest Developments
Smear campaign against green activists, anti-protest laws and media restrictions in Australia
In recent months the Prime Minister has vilified environmental groups while a law is being debated on political donations and election spending that could be used to silence civil society groups. Anti-protests laws have been passed in Queensland and may soon be enacted in Tasmania. Journalists continue to campaign against restrictions on press freedom while the authorities are urging Facebook to stop end-to-end encryption plans. Read more
Friday 31.1.2020 Samoa - Latest Developments
Demands for accountability and transparency over measles outbreak in Samoa
There have been calls for a national commission of inquiry into how the measles epidemic spread so quickly across the country in October 2019. In January 2020, the Prime Minister slammed the Samoa Observer newspaper for its criticism of the Legislative Assembly while a blogger has been jailed for insulting the Prime Minister. An anti-vaccination critic has been arrested. Read more
Thursday 30.1.2020 Guatemala - Latest Developments
Jimmy Morales' presidency ends with significant setbacks to freedom of expression in Guatemala
On 18th December 2019, the offices of LGBTI youth association Somos Jóvenes Diversos en Acción (SOMOS) were raided in Guatemala City. Unknown persons broke into their offices overnight and took property and documents belonging to the association. Read more | Read in Spanish
Monday 27.1.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
91 political prisoners released but HRDs and journalists face continuous hostility and threats
On 16th December 2019, human rights defender Juan Chamorro said that he has received several death threats from President Daniel Ortega supporters. Chamorro is the director of opposition coalition Alianza Cívica. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 21.1.2020 Bolivia - Latest Developments
Violent protests and alleged extrajudicial executions in Bolivia as political crisis escalated
On 10th November 2019, Evo Morales resigned as president of Bolivia, after weeks of unrest over contested general elections at the end of October 2019. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 7.1.2020 Brazil - Latest Developments
Activists criminalised and continuous delegitimisation of press in Brazil
CSO coalition Pacto pela Democracia published a retrospective of attacks against democracy in Brazil throughout 2019. The report outlines 60 key incidents which, according to Pacto, reveal a wider process of democratic deterioration in the country. Read more
Thursday 19.12.2019 Serbia - Latest Developments
Death threats intensify after civil society questions changes to criminal code
Changes to Serbia's criminal code have spurred a barrage of abuse targeted at civil society. The changes adopted in May 2019 include the possibility of life imprisonment without parole for felony murder, rape with a fatal outcome, rape of a powerless person with a fatal outcome, rape of a child with a fatal outcome and rape in a situation of position abuse. Read more
Wednesday 11.12.2019 Serbia - Latest Developments
Serbian authorities double down on harassment of critics
In a public statement on 17th September 2019, lawyer and activist Blazo Nedic expressed his growing concern for freedom of association in Serbia. His statement came as a result of the Bar Association in Belgrade's decision to remove him from the directory of lawyers due to Nedic’s involvement in two non-profit organisations: National Association of Mediators in Serbia and Partners for Democratic Change Serbia. Read more
