sexual assault
Thursday 9.9.2021 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Closure of 45 civil society organisations within one month in Nicaragua
As reported in the CIVICUS Monitor in previous updates, an unprecedented crackdown against civil society and political opposition has been ongoing in Nicaragua since the end of May 2021. Dozens of human rights defenders and members of the political opposition have been arrested on trumped-up charges. Business leaders, journalists and former allies of President Ortega have also been targeted. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 19.5.2021 Colombia - Latest Developments -
Protests against tax reform lead thousands to the streets in Colombia, face brutal police repression
Since 28th April 2021, nationwide protests sparked by a proposed tax reform have been brutally repressed by Colombian law enforcement. Mobilisation has continued after nearly three weeks, with protests growing to encompass multiple grievances and demands for social justice. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 28.4.2021 El Salvador - Latest Developments -
Experts underscore steep decline in freedom of expression in El Salvador
On 17th March 2021, journalist Wendy Hernández denounced comments made by a judge in the initial hearing of the journalist’s case against a man who allegedly harassed her during an interview. Read more | Read in Spanish
Monday 19.4.2021 Kenya - Latest Developments -
Freedom of expression on a steady decline, accountability for police brutality an elusive feat
attacks on journalists on a steady rise; Online expression facing severe restrictions; LGBTIQ+ activists reported a spike in cases of attacks on the community during the COVID-19 pandemic; protesters continue to face violent disruption of protests by police Read more
Wednesday 17.3.2021 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Government expropriates civil society and media facilities
During the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a report on Nicaragua saying that, when attempting to express their political opinions and defend human rights, people in the country are subjected to “constant, illegitimate and serious restrictions on their rights and freedoms”. Read more
Monday 22.2.2021 Egypt - Latest Developments -
Restrictions in response to the exercise of fundamental freedoms continue
Restricted civic space and the worsening situation for human rights defenders continue in Egypt. While the three EIPR staff members, namely Gasser Abdel-Razek, Karim Ennarah and Mohamed Bashee were released, 7th February 2020 marks one year since the arrest of EIPR researcher and Bologna University student Patrick George Zaki. Graduate student Ahmed Samir Santawy was arrested on 1st February 2021, in relation to his research on women’s rights. In addition, the crackdown on freedom of expression continues. According to Reporters Without Borders, the number of journalists and bloggers detained in Egypt now stands at 33. In one case documented, freelance journalist Solafa Magdy was physically and sexually assaulted in police custody. Solafa and her husband were first arrested on 26th November 2019. Read more
Thursday 21.1.2021 Panama - Latest Developments -
Police brutality during student-led protest in Panama
On 16th December 2020, police in Panama City repressed a student-led protest against legislation excluding some people under 25 from receiving pandemic aid. Read more
Wednesday 16.12.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Laws on Foreign Agents and Cybercrimes restrict civic space further in Nicaragua
On 15th October 2020, Nicaragua’s lawmakers approved the “Foreign Agents Law” which expands government powers to control and muzzle civil society. Read more
Thursday 3.12.2020 Mexico - Latest Developments -
Three reporters killed in Mexico, showing increasingly more dangerous environment for journalists
On 29th October 2020, television news anchor Arturo Alba Medina was killed by armed assailants who shot him multiple times while he was driving his car in Juarez. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 19.11.2020 Peru - Latest Developments -
Upheaval in Peru as president removed
On 9th November 2020, president Martín Vizcarra was removed from office by Peru’s Congress over corruption allegations. Lawmakers voted 105-19 in favour of Vizcarra’s impeachment on the basis of a controversial “moral incapacitation” clause in the country’s legislation, which is set to be evaluated by the Constitutional Court. Read more | Read in Spanish
