Ethiopian police target Muslim leaders, press in attempts to stifle protests
A crackdown on protests by Ethiopia’s Muslim community has seen hundreds of community members and journalists harassed, assaulted and detained.
UAE authorities urged to stop harassing detained dissidents’ lawyers
The harassment of defense lawyers in the UAE is making it nearly impossible for detained peaceful dissidents to get access to a lawyer, Human Rights Watch said.
Police fatally shoot Darfur protesters
At least eight people were killed and about 100 others injured after police forces used live ammunition to disperse protests.
Human Rights Watch report describes political violence, intimidation in run up to Angolan elections
The Angolan government should end its crackdown on peaceful protests and the media with the start of the election campaign on 1 August, says Human Rights Watch.
UK Foreign Secretary urged to address repression of free speech in UAE
In an open letter to the foreign secretary, rights organisations point to the intimidation campaign against peaceful political activists.
Free expression set back by court ruling on cartoonist’s case
A civil court found that Zunar’s arrest had been lawful, while the continued holding of his books and artwork was not.
Authorities block Internet, mobile and landline connections to Gorno Badakhshan province
The blocking of communications has taken place as dozens of deaths have been reported after troops were sent to the region to arrest those responsible for the murder of the local state security chief.
Members of critical West-Bank theatre arrested, tortured
“A theater should be able to offer critical and provocative work without fearing that its staff will be arrested and abused,” said Human Rights Watch.
Government, Maoists target civil society activists
The authorities use sedition laws to curtail free speech and concoct criminal cases to lock up government critics.
Yale University to curtail rights on new campus
Yale’s acceptance of Singaporean restrictions on basic rights at the new Yale – National University of Singapore campus shows a disturbing disregard for free speech, says Human Rights Watch.
Killings of environment advocates unpunished
The three activists killed since October 2011 had been vocal in opposing mining and energy operations.
Authorities detain 13 activists, including prominent lawyers
Authorities were urged to end the crackdown immediately, and release all activists detained for exercising their rights to free expression.
Abuse of power under Chávez takes toll on media freedom
The report documents how the accumulation of power in the executive and the erosion of human rights protections have allowed the Chávez government to intimidate, censor, and prosecute critics and perceived opponents.
After US, ASEAN leave, media critic jailed
Mam Sonando is the owner of the country’s main politically independent radio station and a prominent critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Website editor charged under cybercrime law
If convicted, Ra’if Badawi faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to US$800,000.
Criminal libel law a blow to free expression
Re-criminalization of libel is part of a raft of laws rammed through the Russian parliament from June through mid-July, setting out new, severe restrictions on the rights to free expression, assembly, and association.