Demonstrators protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Berlin, Germany, on 3 December 2022, in solidarity with protesters in China; the sign reads “Censored, Freedom of Speech with Chinese Characteristics”. Omer Messinger/Getty Images
Reflections on the year that was – and what to watch for in 2023
| IFEX’s Regional Editors share some key stories from 2022 that shaped the free expression landscapes in Africa, the Americas, Asia & Pacific, Europe & Central Asia, and the Middle East & North Africa.
In these special editions of their usual Regional Briefs, a strong narrative emerges of the power of civil society’s perseverance, and the importance of strategic collaboration in countering the many challenges we face. You can find all the Regional Briefs, with new editions each month, here. |
Featured Articles
Regional coalition calls for independent investigation into Thulani Maseko’s assassination
The Spaces of Solidarity network is adamant that the failure to carry out a thorough and credible investigation into the murder of human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko, will only foster the growing culture of impunity in eSwatini.
Egypt: Crisis by design, a human rights report by independent Egyptian organizations to the UN
A new report finds the human rights situation in Egypt has persisted and even exacerbated since its last UPR review in 2019.
Afghanistan: AFJC calls for the release of two journalists held in Jalalabad and Khost
Authorities have not explained why journalist Khairullah Parhar has been detained or where he was taken.
Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture seeks closure of independent Radio Azattyk
The ministry is seeking to shut down ‘Radio Azattyk’ because of a 2022 video report about clashes on the Kyrgyz/Tajik border in the Batken region. The media outlet’s websites have been blocked since October.
Russia designates Andrei Sakharov Foundation as “undesirable”
“By labelling the foundation ‘undesirable,’ the Kremlin is also ostracizing Sakharov’s legacy and, essentially, all the human rights defenders, independent journalists, activists, pro-democracy scientists, and cultural figures associated with it in Russia” – HRW
India: Government uses emergency powers to block BBC documentary critical of Modi
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered Twitter and YouTube to block clips of a BBC documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
