bureaucratic restriction
Wednesday 13.7.2022 El Salvador - Latest Developments -
El Salvador: three years of Bukele government marked by human rights crisis
Monitoring by national and international human rights groups has reported mass human rights violations taking place in El Salvador under the state of exception. As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, President Nayib Bukele first declared a state of exception on 27th March 2022, following a surge in gang-related killings. This measure has been extended three times since then. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 22.6.2022 Fiji - Latest Developments -
Media restrictions and vilification of activists intensifies climate of fear in Fiji
In recent months, the press freedom ranking for Fiji dropped drastically while the press was heavily restricted during the visit to the region of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Further, two human rights defenders came under attack from the prime minister for proposing a caretaker government, while a UN report showed that human rights defenders did not feel safe when criticising the government or discussing political issues in Fiji. Read more
Friday 17.6.2022 Palestine - Latest Developments -
Calls for justice after journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh killed in ‘targeted attack’ by Israeli forces
On 11 May 2022, Shireen Abu Akleh, a prominent 51-year-old Palestinian-American journalist from Jerusalem, was killed while she was covering the aggression in Jenin Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank, despite her wearing her press uniform. An investigation by CNN suggests that Abu Akleh was killed in a targeted attack by Israeli occupation forces with a direct bullet in the head. Restrictions on representatives of civil society organisations have continued. For instance, on 1st June 2022, Israeli authorities prevented Ubai Al-Aboudi, the Executive Director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, from traveling to Amman, Jordan to attend a two-day expert meeting with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Separately, in an open letter to the President of the European Parliament, civil society representatives raised their concerns after Israeli authorities denied the entry of European Members of Parliament into Palestine. Read more
Tuesday 17.5.2022 South Sudan - Latest Developments -
Surge in violence threatens implementation of the peace deal
Surge of violence reported across the country and in particular in Upper Nile and Unity State, as well as the Equatorias; Government security forces surrounded the house of Lam Akol, an opposition leader; Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its annual World Press Freedom Index, ranking South Sudan 128 out of 180 countries; Police arrest four activists for protesting outside Freedom Hall, where Members of Parliament had gathered to receive a bill on the constitution-making process Read more
Monday 9.5.2022 Tonga - Latest Developments -
COVID-19 restrictions hamper civil society response to volcano and tsunami relief in Tonga
In January 2022, Tonga was hit with the eruption of an undersea volcano, prompting a tsunami. While foreign aid and support has come in, the strict COVID-19 measures have severely impacted the work of relief agencies and their ability to distribute relief. Read more
Thursday 28.4.2022 Solomon Islands - Latest Developments -
Solomons NGOs oppose extension of parliamentary term while journalists face restrictions
Plans by Solomon’s cabinet in March 2022 to extend the current term of parliament to five years from four has been opposed by the opposition and civil society groups. In April 2022, police confronted two members of the media, asking them not to film the Prime Minister upon his arrival at the National Parliament.
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Thursday 21.4.2022 Bolivia - Latest Developments -
Bolivia: teachers protest; harassment of human rights defenders continues
On 29th March 2022, Amnesty International published their annual report 2021/22 underscoring the continued stigmatisation and harassment faced by human rights defenders in Bolivia. Read more
Tuesday 19.4.2022 United States of America - Latest Developments -
USA: Amazon workers vote for unionisation; courts hold police liable for excessive force
On 19th February 2022, one person was killed and five wounded in Portland at a march to protest police violence. The woman killed was a long-time activist involved in racial justice protests and LGBTQIA+ organising. Read more
Friday 15.4.2022 India - Latest Developments -
Arbitrary travel restrictions, harassment of activists and targeting of journalists in India
Over the last month, the authorities barred the Amnesty International Chair Aakar Patel and journalist Rana Ayyub from international travel. Journalists have been arrested and ill-treated for undertaking their work by the police and non-state actors. A UN working group found the detention of Jesuit priest and activist Stan Swamy arbitrary, the courts denied bail to student activist Umar Khalid and extended the detention of Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez. Tribal activists were also arrested In Odisha for protecting their land. Read more
Wednesday 13.4.2022 Kiribati - Latest Developments -
Restriction on social gatherings and movement due to pandemic lockdown in Kiribati
On 22nd January 2022, Kiribati implemented a COVID-19 lockdown after international arrivals brought the virus with them. No public transport was in operation; social gatherings were banned; and all bars and nightclubs closed. The curfew period has been reduced over time.
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