CSO closure
Thursday 9.7.2020 Maldives - Latest Developments
Civil society group’s funds seized in the Maldives while women’s rights organisation smeared online
In the last few months the authorities have seized funds from a leading human rights organisation which the government dissolved in late 2019. A women’s rights group has faced a smear campaign online for its reporting. Protesters were dispersed for holding a protest outside parliament, while an individual was terminated for ‘defaming’ the President and parliamentary speaker. Read more
Tuesday 7.7.2020 Azerbaijan - Latest Developments
Critics detained for COVID-19 related remarks
Civic activists, opposition leaders and journalist under attack amid COVID-19 pandemic, Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli released from detention, Azeri activist detained for a Facebook post one day after release from psychiatric clinic , Azeri activist detained for demonstrating police brutality on social media, March for women rights ends with police violence, Student protest ends with arrests, Protesters, journalists beaten during protest in Baku, Civil society publishes report highlighting challenges faced by NGOs and issues recommendations, Read more
Tuesday 30.6.2020 Zambia - Latest Developments
Concern as government punishes free expression
Government targets critics and those expressing opinion including John Sangwa a prominent lawyer disbarred after openly criticising government, media station Prime TV's licence cancelled Read more
Thursday 28.5.2020 Russia - Latest Developments
Peaceful Assembly affected by COVID-19 restrictions
Mass protests banned in Moscow due to COVID-19; Marches held to commemorate fifth anniversary of the assassination of Boris Nemtsov; Experts document decreased willingness to join protests; Jamestown Foundation and European Endowment for Democracy banned in Russia; Chechen Opposition blogger attacked by an unknown person Read more
Tuesday 10.3.2020 Maldives - Latest Developments
UN Special Rapporteur raises concerns about shut down of Maldives human rights group
In recent months, prominent human rights organisation Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) was shut down by the authorities over a report issued in 2016 perceived as contrary to the tenets of Islam. Concerns about this were raised by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights in her report in February 2020 which was presented on . The government has yet to resolve the cases of murdered blogger Yameen Rasheed and journalist Ahmed Rilwan who was abducted and is believed to have been killed. No progress has been reported on proposed amendments to repeal restrictive provisions of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, currently before the parliament. Read more
Tuesday 25.2.2020 Iraq - Latest Developments
Protesters, activists, journalists & aid workers attacked, kidnapped, killed, as protests escalate
Popular protests that began in October 2019 continued on a daily basis into February 2020 in central and southern cities of Iraq with the broad participation of various sectors of the population, including students and women, despite the risks from security forces and armed groups which continue to target activists, journalists, and peaceful demonstrators.
Flagrant violations of the rights of Iraqi demonstrators have led to the death toll of the popular protests increasing to around 700 demonstrators, while the number of injured exceeds 20,000, including those who suffocated from teargas, according to unofficial statistics recorded by Iraqi civil society organisations. In addition, there are nearly 150 detainees, most of whom were arrested in the cities of Baghdad, Nasiriyah and Basra.
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Wednesday 29.1.2020 Uganda - Latest Developments
Over 12000 NGOs ordered to stop operations, LGBTIQ community face increasing attacks
More than 12,000 charities ordered to stop their operations; attacks on the LGBTIQ community in Uganda intensify; police detain opposition leader and former president of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Kizza Besigye; police fire tear gas at journalists protesting against police abuse in Kampala; security operatives storm and ransack the office of the opposition FDC party Read more
Monday 4.11.2019 Burundi - Latest Developments
Commission of inquiry slams human rights abuses ahead of elections
UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi (CoI) concluded in its report, released on 4 September 2019, the existence of a climate of fear and intimidation for those who do not support the ruling party, controversy surrounds the killing of two opposition party members on 11 July 2019, while in police custody, At least one person was killed and 10 others wounded after fighting occurred between members of ruling CNDD-FDD party and those of the National Congress for Liberty (CNL) opposition party in Mubimbi commune, CSO PARCEM suspended by government, HRD Germain Rukuki's 32 year sentence upheld by Court of Appeal in his absence, BBC closes office until further notice Read more
Tuesday 3.9.2019 Burundi - Latest Developments
Youth militias target fledgling opposition parties
Opposition party members continue to face harassment and intimidation from authorities and youth militias, independent media face suspension and revocation of licences. Read more | Read in French
Wednesday 3.7.2019 Zimbabwe - Latest Developments
Government intensifies crackdown following January 2019 protests
The government has intensified arrests of activists and opposition leaders accused of having being part of the January 2019 protests. Doctors and lawyers who assisted protesters threatened. Journalists harassed and threatened while covering a story at Harae hospital, activists arrested and detained while returning to the country at the airport
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