Twenty-three African press freedom groups and journalists urge UNESCO to abolish Obiang prize
The signatories noted that while President Obiang has offered to remove his name from the prize, this does not erase the concern that his US$3 million donation links him and the abuses of his government to UNESCO, thereby undercutting the organisation’s worthy mission.
Eliminate Obiang Prize, urge seven civil society groups
Critics oppose President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s proposal to rename the award.
Opposition figure held without charge
Human Rights Watch expressed concern that Dr. Wenceslao Mansogo Alo’s continued detention could be motivated by his profile as a human rights activist and opposition politician, rather than any credible evidence that he committed a crime.
Concern about rights violations on eve of Africa Cup
The government cracks down on political opponents, intimidates journalists, and disregards due process, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Concern over politically motivated arrest of opposition member ahead of referendum
The Obiang government has sought to silence those opposed to the upcoming referendum to approve constitutional changes.
UNESCO suspends Obiang prize again
Human Rights Watch, Committee to Protect Journalists and other organisations are urging UNESCO’s executive board to cancel the prize outright.
UNESCO director-general urged to cancel Obiang prize
The goal of “a free, safe and fair environment for journalists” would be greatly undermined should UNESCO’s executive board move forward with an award named for and funded by Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, say a group of organisations who participated in a UN consultative process on impunity last week.
Authorities delete German TV crew’s footage
The journalists and their fixer were held for five hours while authorities deleted any footage deemed to show in the country in a bad light, including an interview with an opposition leader and pictures of children playing in slums.
UNESCO rejects petition to reinstate prize funded by Equatorial Guinea president
The UNESCO Executive Board declined to consider a request by the Obiang government to reverse its prior decision and award the prize without delay.
Journalist suspended over Libya reference
Equatorial Guinea is among a few governments in Sub-Saharan Africa that have imposed a total news blackout on events in North Africa and the Middle East, according to CPJ research.
Blogger and magazine editor starts hunger strike to protest against lack of freedom
Three days after starting a hunger strike to protest against the regime of Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel left the country saying he had been “harassed”.
Dictator prize suspended indefinitely
UNESCO’s board has acted following global protests over an award financed by Equatorial Guinea’s leader, Teodoro Obiang.
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.
“Dictator Prize” suspension only a temporary fix, says Human Rights Watch
UNESCO’s executive board approved Director-General Irina Bokova’s proposal to postpone the award and engage in consultations to consider the prize’s future.
Momentum builds to stop “dictator prize”, says Human Rights Watch
A chorus of voices from around the world is asking UNESCO to overturn its decision to award a prize named after and financed by President Teodoro Obiang, the abusive ruler of Equatorial Guinea.
Thirty IFEX members call on UNESCO to refuse funds from one of Africa’s worst violators of press freedom, Equatorial Guinea
Recalling UNESCO’s stated commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom Day, 30 IFEX members call for the organisation not to accept a $3 million donation from President Teodoro Obiang for the administration of an international prize in life sciences.