minority groups
Monday 25.11.2019 United States of America - Latest Developments
Freedoms under attack with legislation restricting protests and hostility toward journalists
In September and October 2019, there were protests across the U.S. calling on leaders to address climate change while some states have been considering legislation that would criminalise protests near certain infrastructure sites, including oil pipelines - which are often contested by climate and indigenous rights activists. This update also details protests on refugee & immigration policy, education, police brutality and pro- and against President Trump. In the 'Expression' section, incidents of harassment of journalists show an increasingly hostile environment for the press in the U.S. Read more
Wednesday 16.10.2019 Nepal - Latest Developments
Restrictive bills still being pushed by Nepali lawmakers as protests around Xi’s visit stifled
In recent months, the Nepal government has continued push several pieces of draft legislation that threaten to undermine the right to freedom of expression, including the Media Council Bill and the Information Technology Bill. Journalists continue to face attacks and threats for their reporting while protests against China have been suppressed. Read more
Tuesday 15.10.2019 Kuwait - Latest Developments
Kuwait fails to implement UPR recommendations, HRDs defending Bedoon rights systematically targeted
Kuwait did not implement any of the 13 recommendations in relation to civic space since its last Universal Periodic Review in 2015, Bedoon activists and protesters were arrested, detained and charged for holding demonstrations, The government continues to use the Cyber Crimes Law to arrest journalists and online critics of the authorities. Read more
Wednesday 11.9.2019 Indonesia - Latest Developments
West Papuan protests met with internet shutdown, arrests of activists and excessive force
For the last few weeks West Papuans have been protesting attacks against Papuan students in Surabaya and racial insults hurled against them. In response the authorities shut down the internet in many parts of the Papuan region, arrested political activists and used excessive force against protesters with some killed or injured Read more
Tuesday 10.9.2019 India - Latest Developments
Ongoing attacks against environmental activists and journalists in India while critics harassed
Human rights defenders, particularly environmental and Right to Information (RTI) activists and journalists, continue to be targeted by state and non-state actors for exposing abuses. Read more
Thursday 5.9.2019 Laos - Latest Developments
Laos increases controls on social media news sites while anti-land grab protesters jailed
In recent months, the authorities have tightened control of social media news sites, jailed anti-land grab protesters from two to six years and continue to persecute religious minorities. Read more
Wednesday 4.9.2019 Kosovo - Latest Developments
Victory in name only for environmental CSOs
In July 2019, four Kosovar CSO’s, namely Balkan Green Foundation, GAP institute, Group for Legal and Political Studies and the Institute for Development Policy, raised concerns over public access to information. More specifically, the four organisations became embroiled in a legal battle with the Ministry of Economic Development over access to documents relating to the planned construction of a new thermal power station named “New Kosovo”. Read more
Tuesday 13.8.2019 India - Latest Developments
Civil society concerned about risks to fundamental freedoms in Kashmir as special status revoked
Civil society groups have raised concerns about the threats to fundamental freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of its special status by the central government on 5 August 2019 Read more
Wednesday 7.8.2019 Kosovo - Latest Developments
Peaceful protests in Kosovo amid growing ethnic tensions
As previously covered on the CIVICUS Monitor, 2019 has seen civil society mobilise against new laws which could have curtailed freedom of association. In this update, we detail how people in Kosovo have exercised their right to peaceful assembly. In the period between May 16th and July 10th 2019, Kosovo has witnessed a number of protests on a variety of issues. During this period, no protest was unwarrantedly denied or met with excessive force by security forces. Read more
Friday 5.7.2019 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments
Misuse of ICCPR Act and judicial system to stifle freedom of expression in Sri Lanka
In the last few months, a number of individuals have been arrested and charged under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act of 2007 for the peaceful expression of their views. Further, contempt of courts proceedings have been brought against academic and activist Sarath Wijesuriya and an intelligence office linked in the killing of a journalist has been reinstated. Following the April 2019 attacks social media was blocked temporarily. Read more
