Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation in Tunisia (OLPEC)

Release Bahraini human rights activists now, say international groups

A group of 46 human rights organisations led by IFEX calls on member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to urge Bahrain to release human rights defenders and peaceful opposition activists.

One hundred organisations call to end assault on freedom of speech, and to free all detained human rights defenders and netizens

UPDATE: The president of IFEX member Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab, was re-arrested and sentenced to three years in prison on 16 August. Many other human rights defenders remain in prison, including BCHR’s founder Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and his daughter, Zainab Al-Khawaja.

Link to: Thirty-two IFEX members urge authorities to release journalist Eskinder Nega

Thirty-two IFEX members urge authorities to release journalist Eskinder Nega

On 1 May, jailed journalist Eskinder Nega, facing the death penalty, receives in absentia the 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Thirty-two IFEX members are calling for his release, and an end to the use of national security legislation against all writers and journalists.

http://www.freedawit.com

Thirty-one IFEX members call on authorities to disclose whereabouts of journalist Dawit Isaak

After hearing rumours of the death of Dawit Isaak, an Swedish-Eritrean journalist held without charge for ten years, 31 members of IFEX are asking President Isaias Afewerki to confirm that he is still alive and if so, to release him from prison.

Link to: Thirty-eight organisations call for freedom of expression and justice in the Ampatuan massacre trials

Thirty-eight organisations call for freedom of expression and justice in the Ampatuan massacre trials

Thirty-six IFEX members, along with Centre for Law and Democracy and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, expressed concern about the 12 April resolution of the Court of Appeals, Manila Special Division of Five, requiring Monette Salaysay and Rowena Paraan to explain why they should not be held in contempt for comments attributed to them in a “Philippine Daily Inquirer” article regarding the Ampatuan Town Massacre trials.

Link to: Thirty-four IFEX members call for murder investigations

Thirty-four IFEX members call for murder investigations

Representatives from the international community of journalists’ organisations and press freedom defenders gathered in Lebanon for IFEX’s bi-annual conference and urged the Pakistani government and its law-enforcement and security agencies to take immediate action to implement all appropriate measures to protect media personnel and to prosecute murderers of journalists.

Link to: Thirty-seven IFEX members urge authorities to accommodate visit of UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

Thirty-seven IFEX members urge authorities to accommodate visit of UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

The groups urged President Rajapaksa to invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, to Sri Lanka, while expressing deep concern for journalists who continue to be subjected to threats, harassment and assaults with alarming regularity.

Link to: Thirty-three IFEX members express grave concern over restrictions on freedom of expression

Thirty-three IFEX members express grave concern over restrictions on freedom of expression

IFEX members note with alarm the efforts of China’s authorities to restrict freedom of expression in regard to debate on political reform in China, following reform movements in the Middle East and North Africa since late 2010.

Link to: Thirty-three IFEX members condemn continued persecution of imprisoned journalists

Thirty-three IFEX members condemn continued persecution of imprisoned journalists

The detained journalists are held without charges and forced to endure terrible conditions such as extended periods in the sun and denial of medication.

Link to: Thirty-seven IFEX members call attention to the plight of 17 journalists, bloggers and artists who remain detained in Burmese prisons

Thirty-seven IFEX members call attention to the plight of 17 journalists, bloggers and artists who remain detained in Burmese prisons

Even though a new government has been formed in Burma after the elections in November 2010, there is still no guarantee of improvements in the country’s media environment.

Link to: Thirty IFEX members sign letter to authorities regarding attacks against journalists

Thirty IFEX members sign letter to authorities regarding attacks against journalists

IFEX members condemn the increased attacks and judicial harassment against Somali journalists and media organisations.

Link to: Thirty-three IFEX members urge the state to stop all attacks and persecutions against journalists and the media

Thirty-three IFEX members urge the state to stop all attacks and persecutions against journalists and the media

IFEX members express their concern over the current situation of press freedom in Ecuador and the conditions of extreme hostility in which the country’s journalists and private media must do their work.

Link to: Fifty-seven IFEX members and partners call on world authorities to help stop human rights violations and free expression abuses

Fifty-seven IFEX members and partners call on world authorities to help stop human rights violations and free expression abuses

Forty-two IFEX members and 15 partners appealed for global attention to stop detention, torture and threats to journalists and free expression activists, including to IFEX member Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Link to: Thirty IFEX members call on authorities to respect and protect free expression as the country descends into further uncertainty

Thirty IFEX members call on authorities to respect and protect free expression as the country descends into further uncertainty

The implications for journalists covering demonstrations are unclear, and their ability to move around freely and safely cannot be guaranteed.