harassment
Thursday 19.5.2022 Qatar - Latest Developments -
HRDs face life sentences & death penalty for their peaceful human rights work
HRD Abdullah Al-Maliki at risk of death sentence for his peaceful human rights work; Amnesty International published a 74-page report documenting the forced labour and other abuses of migrant workers in Qatar’s private security sector ahead of the FIFA World Cup; Court hands down a life sentence to lawyer Dr Hazzaa bin Ali Abu Shraydeh Al-Marri and his brother and fellow lawyer Rashid bin Ali Abu Shraydeh Al-Marri for their participation in peaceful protests in August 2021, others Read more
Thursday 19.5.2022 Indonesia - Latest Developments -
Indonesian authorities criminalise activists, violently suppress protests around Papua
In the last few months, human rights defenders have been arrested, criminalised and threatened, especially those speaking up on violations in the Papuan region. Those who organised or have been involved in protests against the creation of new provinces in Papua have also been arrested and ill-treated and some have faced excessive or deadly force from the security forces. Farmers and activists in Wadas were arrested for opposing a mining project. The press freedom ranking for Indonesia has dropped and digital repression continues to be reported. Read more
Wednesday 18.5.2022 Honduras - Latest Developments -
Honduras: Lenca and Garífuna leaders killed within two days
On 30th April 2022, human rights defender and Lenca Indigenous leader Justo Benítez Sánchez was shot and killed at his home in the San Isidro community, Santa Bárbara department. He was a renowned leader who defended land and water rights and had a key role in the resistance against a mining project that would affect the Gualcarque River. Separately, on 1st May 2022, Garífuna leader Alonso Salgado was killed in an attack at the house of another Garífuna leader, Zury Quintanilla, in Rio Tinto. Read more
Tuesday 17.5.2022 Tanzania - Latest Developments -
President Suluhu acts on promise to expand media freedoms, arbitrary arrests of journalists continue
President Suluhu meets exiled opposition leader; Opposition party chairman released from detention; Planned eviction of Maasai community sparks protests in Tanzania and UK; Legislative amendments approved to expand media freedom; New licences issued to newspapers banned during Maghufuli era; Arbitrary arrests of journalists a remaining concern Read more
Friday 13.5.2022 Somalia - Latest Developments -
Ahead of the elections, journalists and media outlets face brutal repression
Suicide bomber assassinates Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled, the director of the government-owned Radio Mogadishu; Hirshabelle police in Beledweyne raid local independent radio station Hiiraan Weyn and arrest seven journalists; police officers in the town of Abudwak, in the Galmudug regional state, raid privately owned Sooyal TV and Radio offices; Haramcad police officers (Special Operations Command Battalion) attack a group of journalists reporting a car bombing and gunfire attacks; Read more
Wednesday 11.5.2022 Zimbabwe - Latest Developments -
Proposed law threatens CSO space, opposition faces brutal repression ahead of elections
Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill Poses Serious Threats to Human Rights and Civic Space; President Mnangagwa Issues Stern Warning to Civil Society Actors; Police arrest Opposition Political Party Members for Election Campaigning; Popular CCC Supporter Arrested for ‘Improper Dressing’; Judiciary Overturns Several CCC political rally bans; Teachers Strike over Wage Increase; Opposition Political Party Rally attacked; Zimbabwe National Students Union Protest over Fee Hikes ; Trial of Clapaton Redi begins over insult charges Read more
Wednesday 11.5.2022 Guatemala - Latest Developments -
Guatemala: freedom of expression in sharp decline
On 8th March 2022, journalist Orlando Villanueva was shot and killed in a public sports facility in Puerto Barrios, capital of the Izabal department. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 11.5.2022 Costa Rica - Latest Developments -
Costa Rica: partial veto of new Access to Information Law
In April and May 2022, violence against Indigenous peoples in China Kichá continued to take place with impunity. On 27th April 2022, the Legislative Assembly approved Bill 20.799, the “General Law of Access to Public Information and Transparency.” The bill was nicknamed the “Gag Law” by the Costa Rican press because its Article 8 established a series of limits on access to information. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 10.5.2022 Slovenia - Latest Developments -
Far-right leader Janez Janša loses election, sparking new hope for civic space
The parliamentary elections held in Slovenia on 24th April 2022 marked a change of political regime: newcomer Robert Golob and his Freedom Movement (launched in January 2022) won with nearly 35% of the votes., resulting in the ousting of the current far-right Prime Minister Janez Janša and his SDS party. Prior to the elections, concerning developments took place. The NGO 8 March Institute (Inštitut 8. marec) which ran a "Let’s go vote" campaign (Gremo volit) to encourage voter turnout and repared a draft law to overturn the decisions of the incumbent government was accused “leading an undeclared electoral campaign” and received a notice from the Inspectorate of Internal Affairs. Separately, prominent protester Jaša Jenull received a third claim amounting to approximately 34,340 EUR for a June 2020 protest. Concerning developments also unfolded at RTVSLO, which has been subjected to ongoing political interference. Read more
Tuesday 10.5.2022 Syria - Latest Developments -
Media Networks and Journalists Face Brutal Repression
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad ratified the Cybercrime Law No. 20 of 2022, which includes penalties ranging from one month to 15 years in prison, while fines range from 200,000 to 15 million (approx. 26,700 EUR) Syrian pounds for a group of acts classified by the law as cybercrimes; the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria—the regional government—announced that it was suspending Rudaw Media Network’s license to operate in north-eastern Syria; German court in the city of Frankfurt began hearing evidence in a trial involving allegations of torture and murder by state agents during Syria’s decade-long brutal armed conflict; Read more
