Escalate international pressure ahead of November 7 polls, says Human Rights Watch
The national elections announced by the military government are designed to further entrench military rule with a civilian facade, Human Rights Watch said.
Prominent lawyer turning 80 in jail
Haytham al-Maleh is serving three years for criticising the Syrian authorities
Ninety-six organisations, including 34 IFEX members, call on UNESCO to pull Obiang Prize
In a letter, the organisations thanked UNESCO’s director-general for recognising their concerns, but reiterated their call for the prize to be cancelled definitively, rather than simply postponed.
Moluccan “balloon activists” arrested in Ambon
Human Rights Watch is concerned that past torture and ill-treatment of political prisoners in Ambon puts the detained activists at serious risk.
Hellman/Hammett grants honour 42 writers for courage in facing political persecution
The Hellman/Hammett grants aim to help writers who dare to express ideas that criticise official public policy or people in power.
Ongoing attacks foster climate of intimidation, says Human Rights Watch
According to Human Rights Watch research, there has been little progress on human rights after six months of the Lobo government.
Activist Mohammad Sadigh Kaboudvand may have suffered stroke; family claim he is not receiving adequate health care
Kaboudvand, a leading advocate of Kurdish rights, is serving an 11-year sentence on politically motivated charges.
Legislature urged to reject proposed legislation that would punish human rights activists, stifle criticism
Four bills and amendments are pending that would seriously restrict the rights of Israelis to criticise the policies and actions of their government.
Human Rights Watch calls on US secretary of state to press Hanoi to respect freedom of expression
The organisation urged Hillary Clinton to encourage Vietnam to end its efforts to censor and control the media and the Internet.
New censorship office created by Chavez threatens government critics, free flow of information
The new decree would allow the president to block discussion of topics that are inconvenient for his government, Human Rights Watch said.
Publications crackdown targets opposition political parties
“Malaysia’s leaders hardly ever miss a chance to harass or shut down opposition papers by invoking national unity or public order, or claiming that official secrets are being revealed,” Human Rights Watch said.
President Bashar al-Asad’s decade in power marked by repression, says Human Rights Watch report
The 35-page report reviews Syria’s bleak human rights record in five key areas, including freedom of expression.
Charges against rights activist frivolous, says Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch has seen a copy of Shaikh Mikhlif bin Dahham al-Shammari’s prison file, which lists “annoying others” as the charge against him.
A year later, no prosecution in Estemirova murder
The investigation into the killing of leading human rights defender Natalia Estemirova has yielded no tangible results.
Journalists, peaceful protestors assaulted during demonstration against police brutality
Activists have organised a number of demonstrations to express anger over an apparent beating death by police of a man in Alexandria.
EU should press for progress on rights, including freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch says
Government urged to improve freedom of expression, religious freedom and the rights of domestic workers.