CSO closure
Tuesday 12.1.2021 India - Latest Developments -
Persecution of activists, raids in Kashmir and increasing restrictions on foreign funding in India
In September 2020, the Indian Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2020 was adopted which would impose further restrictions on civil society. In October 2020, Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy was the latest activist to be arrested under the UAPA while the health of detained poet and social activist Varavara Rao continues to deteriorate. Also, in October, raids were conducted on human rights defenders, non-governmental organisations and newspapers in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Journalists and human rights lawyers continue to be targeted for exercising their freedom of speech while student activists and protesters remain in jail for their activism. Farmers continue to protest against new farm laws. Read more
Friday 30.10.2020 Qatar - Latest Developments -
Rights groups concerned at violation of migrant workers’ association rights, COVID-19 tracing apps
Human Rights Watch published a damning report on Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, including its failure to protect workers from wage abuses, denial of their rights to form unions and failure to abolish the kafala system; Invasive COVID-19 contact tracing apps which launched, according to Amnesty International, pose a serious risk to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly due to the compromising of users’ digital privacy and security; Read more
Friday 23.10.2020 South Korea - Latest Developments -
Activist groups working on North Korea facing intimidation while government restricts protests
There are serious concerns that the South Korean authorities are intimidating activist groups that work on human rights issues in North Korea, with two organisations having their registration revoked while over 200 are facing reviews and inspections. The authorities also attempted to restrict protests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two protest organisers have been charged. Read more
Monday 19.10.2020 Tanzania - Latest Developments -
More restrictions reported ahead of October election
Offices of leading opposition party CHADEMA, in Arusha, attacked with firebombs and badly damaged; Tanzanian Human Rights Defenders Coalition's (THRDC) bank accounts frozen following an order from authorities; Read more
Friday 16.10.2020 Somalia - Latest Developments -
Journalists face persistent onslaught, new media law further threatens expression
Protesters arrested while demonstrating around upcoming elections; journalists detained while covering protests; media outlets fined over content; new legislation further stifles journalists' work; internet shutdown after Prime Minister impeachment Read more
Tuesday 8.9.2020 Tanzania - Latest Developments -
Authorities embark on major crackdown on expression amid COVID-19 and ahead of elections
Opposition members power-through as elections approach; and HRDs stifled by overly stringent laws, raids and prosecution; Targeting of LGBTIQ+ community continues; Journalists, critics face backlash for reporting and speaking out about COVID-19 measures in the country; Journalists, media outlets and artists targeted for criticising president, politicians Read more
Thursday 6.8.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights continuing human rights violations
At the 44th session of the Human Rights Council on 2nd July 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, provided an oral update on Nicaragua. Bachelet said her office continues to document persistent human rights violations against those who the government perceives as opponents, including human rights defenders, journalists, social leaders and former political detainees. Read more
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
