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

Link to: Over 100 organisations call on UN Human Rights Council to reject “defamation” and “denigration” of religions

Over 100 organisations call on UN Human Rights Council to reject “defamation” and “denigration” of religions

At the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council taking place from 28 February to 25 March 2011, groups urged their governments to support a resolution which omits “defamation” and “denigration” of religions and focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.

Photo: Sarah Carr

Fifty-five IFEX members and six other organisations urge authorities to respect and protect freedom of expression and the right to information

The groups condemn the serious violations of human rights taking place at this critical moment in Egypt.

Link to: Police violently prevent journalists from covering Sidi Bouzid riots

Police violently prevent journalists from covering Sidi Bouzid riots

Journalist Zouhayr Makhlouf was assaulted by the police in front of his home, while his daughter and wife were watching, for not complying with orders to not go to Sidi Bouzid.

Link to: Forty-four IFEX members call for concrete measures to end violence against outspoken women journalists and activists

Forty-four IFEX members call for concrete measures to end violence against outspoken women journalists and activists

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on 25 November 2010, 44 IFEX members, including members of the IFEX Gender Working Group, call attention to the situation of women in the free expression community who are subject to targeted attacks because of their gender.

Link to: Thirty IFEX members sign petition to Prime Minister Lee asking him to withdraw charges against Alan Shadrake

Thirty IFEX members sign petition to Prime Minister Lee asking him to withdraw charges against Alan Shadrake

The public is invited to join IFEX members in signing a petition to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding the case of British writer and journalist Alan Shadrake who is at risk of being sent to prison in Singapore for his book, “Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock” about the death penalty.

Link to: Thirty-one IFEX members and 25 other groups call on the President of Puntland to respect freedom of expression

Thirty-one IFEX members and 25 other groups call on the President of Puntland to respect freedom of expression

Since Abdirahman Mohamed Farole became president on 11 January 2009, journalists have been arrested, physically assaulted, suspended, censored and even killed, and the operations of news media organisations have been threatened, closed or restricted.

Link to: Twenty-eight IFEX members voice concern about journalists’ safety in the lead up to the elections

Twenty-eight IFEX members voice concern about journalists’ safety in the lead up to the elections

With increased reports of killings, beating, assaults and threats to journalists, the space under which media exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms is increasingly being narrowed.

Link to: Thirty-three IFEX members condemn excessive prison sentence handed down to blogger Hossein Derakhshan

Thirty-three IFEX members condemn excessive prison sentence handed down to blogger Hossein Derakhshan

IFEX members condemned the 19-and-a-half-year prison sentence given to the Canadian-Iranian blogger and called for his immediate release.

Link to: Thirty-one IFEX members call on President Kabila to end persecution and harassment of journalists and media

Thirty-one IFEX members call on President Kabila to end persecution and harassment of journalists and media

There has been a steady decline in the working environment for Congolese journalists and the space for free expression is shrinking.

Link to: Thirty-five IFEX members and other organisations appeal for charges to be dropped against prominent human rights activists and blogger

Thirty-five IFEX members and other organisations appeal for charges to be dropped against prominent human rights activists and blogger

Gamal Eid, Ahmad Saif al-Islam and Amr Gharbeia are charged with criminal defamation, use of threats and misuse of communications tools.

Link to: Twenty-three IFEX members call on authorities to investigate disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda

Twenty-three IFEX members call on authorities to investigate disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda

Two hundred days after Prageeth Eknaligoda’s disappearance, IFEX members expressed concern about the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation.

Link to: Ruling party henchman files complaint against journalist after assaulting him

Ruling party henchman files complaint against journalist after assaulting him

Mouldi Zouabi faces charges of “aggravated violence and public insults” against his attacker.

Link to: Journalist Fahem Boukaddous sentenced to four years in prison

Journalist Fahem Boukaddous sentenced to four years in prison

Boukaddous was prosecuted in relation to video reports the journalist made in 2008 for el Hiwar el Tounissi TV concerning demonstrations in the Gafsa mining region.

Link to: Thirty IFEX members and 38 other organisations call on government to stop politically-motivated prosecutions of journalists

Thirty IFEX members and 38 other organisations call on government to stop politically-motivated prosecutions of journalists

Independent journalists, including Taoufik Bouachrine and Ali Amar, are increasingly being targeted by the authorities.

Link to: Thirty-one IFEX members call on Philippine leadership to champion Freedom of Information Act

Thirty-one IFEX members call on Philippine leadership to champion Freedom of Information Act

IFEX members have joined SEAPA in urging the president to sign the FOI Act into law before the current administration leaves office.

Link to: Tunisians celebrate World Press Freedom Day in mourning, says OLPEC

Tunisians celebrate World Press Freedom Day in mourning, says OLPEC

Though one of the first countries in the region to enjoy a relatively unfettered media in the 80s, Tunisia has witnessed an historic backslide since that time.