Forty-five IFEX members call for release of journalist Chief Ebrimah Manneh
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Forty-five IFEX members signed on to the following statement, calling on The Gambian government to enforce an ECOWAS court judgement of the journalist’s case.
Thirty IFEX members call on governments to respect fundamental human rights of free expression and privacy of communications
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Thirty IFEX members signed on to a resolution on the surveillance of communications and the fundamental right to protection of journalistic sources.
“Azadlig” journalist receives death threat
Azadlig” newspaper employee Vidadi Mammadov reported to IRFS that on 2 June 2009, he received a death threat from an unidentified person.
Thirty IFEX members call on government to protect journalists and end impunity
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Thirty IFEX members signed on to a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, calling on him to “stop the war on journalists”.
Forty IFEX members protest attacks on free expression
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Forty IFEX members signed the following statement, calling on the Bahraini authorities to address recent attacks on free expression in that country.
Forty IFEX members appeal for diplomatic support in detained journalists’ case
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Forty IFEX members signed on to a letter calling on the international community to press for the release of journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling.
Thirty-seven IFEX members express concern about deterioration of free expression
Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Thirty-seven IFEX members signed on to a statement calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to address the deterioration in press freedom.
Offenders guilty of beating editor-in-chief still at large after three years
On 19 May 2009, three years passed since the brutal beating of “Bizim Yol” newspaper editor-in-chief Baheddin Haziyev. No one has been held responsible for this grave crime up to this day.
Journalists harassed by police while attempting to cover student protests
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 10 May 2009, Radio Liberty correspondent Durna Safarli, “Yeni Musavat” newspaper employees Afgan Mukhtarli and Layla Ilgar, and “Yukselish Namina” newspaper employee Elchin Hasanov were harassed by police when they attempted to cover protests by a group of local youths. Khadija Ismayilova, director of the Baku bureau of Radio Liberty, told IRFS […]
IRFS World Press Freedom Day statement
(IRFS/IFEX) – Baku, Azerbaijan, 3 May 2009 – In connection with 3 May 2009, which is the 17th Annual World Press Freedom Day and the third anniversary of the founding of our organization, we, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS), express concern about the press freedom situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Since […]
“Azadlig” newspaper correspondent released after five-day detention
(IRFS/IFEX) – 22 April, 2009 – The appeal of “Azadliq” newspaper Ganja region correspondent Ershad Ibrahimov, who was arrested on 17 April, was considered on 22 April and the decision of Ganja City’s Nizami District Court has been annulled. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) was told by the journalist’s lawyer Alayif Hasanov […]
Editor Ali Hasanov released from prison
On 11 April 2009, “Ideal” newspaper editor-in-chief Ali Hasanov was released from prison #5.
Journalist Sakit Zahidov, editor Asif Merzili freed from prison
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 9 April 2009, after two years and nine months in prison, “Azadlig” newspaper satirist and journalist Sakit Zahidov was granted an amnesty and released. Zahidov said he wished all prisoners who had been unjustly arrested would be freed. He noted that he had continued his work while in prison and intended to […]
Newspaper editor Asif Merzili sentenced to one year in jail for defamation
(IRFS/IFEX) – The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) resolutely condemns the unwarranted one-year prison sentence for defamation handed down against “Tezadlar” newspaper editor-in-chief Asif Merzili and the six-month corrective labour sentence issued against Merzili’s colleague, journalist Zumrud Mammedova. Merzili and Mammedova received these sentences at the Yasamal District Court, in a hearing chaired […]
Ministry of Interior withdraws lawsuit filed against human rights defender Leyla Yunus
(IRFS/IFEX) – The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) applauds the Azerbaijani Ministry of Interior’s decision to withdraw Minister Ramil Usubov’s lawsuit against human rights defender Leyla Yunus. The withdrawal of this lawsuit was announced in a court hearing held on 2 March 2009. Minister Usubov had alleged that Yunus, the director of the […]
Editor Faramaz Novruzoglu receives anonymous death threats
(IRFS/IFEX) – Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), editor and head consultant for “Nota” newspaper, has received anonymous death threats. The IRFS was informed by Novruzoglu that unknown individuals called him and threatened him and his family members. Novruzoglu believes that these calls are related to his recent series of articles about the Antiterrorism Center of the Ministry […]