Press and civil society under pressure from Europe and Central Asia’s “strongmen”
April 2021 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.
Partial justice in Turkey and holding Lukashenko to account
March 2021 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.
“I am not asking for declarations. I demand actions.” – Europe and Central Asia in February
February 2021 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.
Russia arrests 5,000 in one day and stun-guns journalists and protesters, Turkey continues persecution of Osman Kavala
January 2021 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.
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.