Cathal Sheerin

A protester holds a picture of Turkish jailed civil society leader Osman Kavala, during a vigil in front of the Turkish Embassy, Berlin, Germany, 15 October 2020, Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images

Injustice flourishing in Turkey, international pressure increasing on Belarus

December in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Solidarity with the people of Belarus, protests protect the right to information in France, and an EU Magnitsky Act

November in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Cartoons and religion take centre stage again, Europe signals action on SLAPPs

October in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

The “humanity free zones”, 12,000 arrests, and new initiatives by IFEX members

September in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Barbarism and disinformation: The authoritarian response to peaceful dissent

August in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Azimjon Askarov dies in prison, thought crime in Russia, a new social media law in Turkey

July in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

“Perversity”, “depravity” and “an arrogant culture of impunity”

June in Europe and Central Asia: A round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Controlling the message, attacking the messengers and a “make or break” moment for LGBTQI+ rights

May in Europe and Central Asia: A round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

COVID-19: A tool in the hands of Europe’s authoritarians

April in Europe and Central Asia: A round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

While I breathe, I hope: In conversation with Ali Gharavi of the #Istanbul10

Ali Gharavi works with human rights defenders. In March 2020, ahead of an anticipated – but since postponed – verdict hearing, Ali spoke with IFEX Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin about how his experience being arrested in Turkey and jailed for four months has affected his life and informed his work.

COVID-19 puts the spotlight on those who govern us

March in Europe and Central Asia: A round up of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Keeping women in the dark: Poland and reproductive rights

In his contribution to IFEX’s series marking International Women’s Day, Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin looks at how, under the ruling Law and Justice Party, Polish women are facing greater restrictions on both reproductive health care and access to accurate information about their legal options.

ECtHR win for Khadija Ismayilova, Assange on trial and coronavirus lies

February in Europe and Central Asia: A round up of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Revelations lead to resignations in Malta, PACE calls for Julian Assange’s release

January in Europe and Central Asia: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Progress in the fight against impunity, journalists freed, defamation decriminalised

December in Europe and Central Asia: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Brazenness, corruption and lies: A tale of two prime ministers

November in Europe and Central Asia: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.