bureaucratic restriction
Tuesday 14.1.2020 Tanzania - Latest Developments
Government tightens reins on civic freedoms during the last year
over the last year, the experienced continued closing of civic space by introducing restrictive laws, abduction and detention of HRDs, while crackdown on press freedom continued Read more
Wednesday 8.1.2020 Pakistan - Latest Developments
Activists disappeared or arrested in Pakistan while media faces restrictions and threats
Over the last few months, Pakistani human rights defender Idris Khattak was forcibly disappeared, activist Muhammad Ismail was arbitrarily detained on trumped up charges, while his daughter and women rights activist Gulalai Ismail fled the country. The authorities also denied entry to a representative from the Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ), warned news anchors not to express their opinions, while journalists from the Dawn newspaper faced threats for their reporting. Student protesters including Alamgir Wazir were arrested and charged for their activism. Read more
Tuesday 7.1.2020 Belarus - Latest Developments
Journalists face legal and administrative challenges
Journalists face denial of accreditation to undertake their work, taxi drivers go on strike to protest working conditions and demand for increased rates, Results on the consultation about amendments to the legal framework on the activity of political parties and CSOs made public Read more
Wednesday 20.11.2019 Vanuatu - Latest Developments
Media groups condemn revocation of Vanuatu journalist work permit and denial of re-entry
On 12th November 2019, the work via of the media director of the Vanuatu Daily Post, the nation’s only daily newspaper was not renewed by the country's Labour Ministry because of the paper’s coverage critical of the government. He has also been denied re-entry in to the country Read more
Tuesday 19.11.2019 Nigeria - Latest Developments
Concerns about freedom of expression in Nigeria: journalists arrested, protests repressed
According to the Amnesty International report 'Endangered Voices. Attack on Freedom of Expression in Nigeria', at least 19 journalists, bloggers and media practitioners have been subject to attacks between January and September 2019. These range from physical attacks, verbal assaults, death threats, surveillance, indiscriminate detention to pressure to reveal sources, mostly perpetrated by Nigerian security forces. Read more
Thursday 31.10.2019 Bolivia - Latest Developments
Contested elections in Bolivia stir mass protests with violent clashes
Mass protests erupted after the results of Bolivia’s national elections were announced, indicating a first round win for current president Evo Morales. Thousands of people took to the streets contesting the election result and claiming that the process was marred by fraud. Protests and violent confrontations were reported in several cities, with violent episodes of groups of anti- and pro-government protesters clashing.
Several civil society organisations have called for a second round of voting with a view to pacifying the country, and urged an investigation into the alleged electoral irregularities. While the Organisation of American States (OAS) completes an audit of the electoral process, the opposition has vowed to continue mobilising.
Read more
Wednesday 30.10.2019 Solomon Islands - Latest Developments
Solomon Islands government orders probe into civil society for calling on PM to step down
The office of the Prime Minister in Solomon Islands has called for an investigation into a number of civil society groups for calling on the Prime Minister to step down. It has accused the groups of operating illegally and failing to register under the Charitable Trust Act. Read more
Tuesday 15.10.2019 El Salvador - Latest Developments
Bukele’s government restricts press access to events
On 6 September 2019, a group of journalists, including Gabriel Labrador and Fernando Romero, from El Faro and Factum Magazine respectively, was denied access to an official press conference. On 10 September 2019, El Salvador’s Mesa de Protección a Periodistas (Board for Protection of Journalists) highlighted the restrictions against El Faro and Factum in a statement expressing deep concerns about the situation of freedom of expression in El Saldor. The Board outlined a number of reasons for concern, including restrictions on press, increasing expressions of hate on social media against journalists who criticise the government, and lack of transparency and access to information. Read more
Wednesday 9.10.2019 Gambia - Latest Developments
Several arrested during protests
On 24th July 2019, a protest erupted at Serrekunda Market following the death of a vendor, Ousman Darboe, following what was perceived by protesters as due to police brutality. According to media reports, more than a thousand people gathered, with banners saying 'No to police brutality'. The protest turned violent, with protesters reportedly throwing stones at the deployed Police Intervention Unit (PIU), who responded with tear gas to disperse the protesters. The house belonging to the head of the police Anti-Crime Unit was reportedly burned down by angry protesters. A total of 37 people were arrested, including rapper Killa Ace, and were charged on 8 counts, including arson, rioting and unlawful assembly. Read more
Tuesday 1.10.2019 Serbia - Latest Developments
Mysterious cancellations of TV programmes stokes concern over media freedom
As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, threats against journalists have emerged as a worrying trend in Serbia. In this update, covering August - September 2019, we report state interference in the work of media outlets has also continued unabated. Read more
