Freedom of the Press 2007: Libya
Freedom of the Press 2007: Libya
Human Rights Watch calls for release of “gravely ill” political prisoner jailed for criticising government
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Release Gravely Ill Political Prisoner (New York, January 30, 2008) – Fathi al-Jahmi, a prominent Libyan political prisoner, is seriously ill and in urgent need of independent medical care, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called for al-Jahmi’s immediate and unconditional […]
Twelve face possible death sentences, two “disappeared”, over planned demonstration; government “still imprisons those who express alternative political views”, says Human Rights Watch
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 13 August 2007 Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: men face possible death for planning peaceful demonstration Two others ‘Disappeared’ for nearly six months (New York, 14 August 2007) – The Libyan government should drop charges against 12 men, one of them a Danish citizen, […]
Appeals court suspends prison sentences for two journalists sued by Gaddafi for defamation
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders voiced relief at an Algiers appeals court’s decision on 4 April 2007 to give two journalists suspended sentences of six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinars (approx. 530 euros) instead of the 12-month jail terms and fine of 500,000 dinars (approx. 5,300 euros) requested by the prosecutor. […]
Heavy sentence sought on appeal in defamation case against two journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by the heavy sentence sought on appeal against Ali Fodil and Naïla Berrahal, respectively managing editor and journalist on the Arabic-language daily “Ech-Chourouk”, for allegedly defaming Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi. On 21 March 2007, the prosecutor at the Algiers appeal court called for a one-year prison sentence and […]
On Libyan Arab Jamahiriya’s 30th anniversary, still no word of journalist arrested in 1973
(RSF/IFEX) – As Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi inaugurated festivities on 2 March 2007 marking the 30 anniversary of his proclamation of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Reporters Without Borders pointed out that there is still no news of Abdullah Ali Al-Sanussi Al-Darrat, a journalist who was arrested 34 years ago. “Six months after […]
Outspoken critic of government detained incommunicado for a month, still in detention
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Security Agency Detains Critic No Contact with Boufayed Since November 5 (New York, December 4, 2006) – Libya’s internal security agency has held an outspoken critic of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi in incommunicado detention for almost a month, Human Rights Watch said today. […]
In Algeria, two journalists sentenced to six months in prison for defaming Libyan president
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders protested that a court in Algiers had acted to protect Algeria’s diplomatic relations with Libya by sentencing two journalists to six months in prison and a fine equivalent to 220 euros after Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi sued them for libel. On 31 October 2006, the court in the eastern city […]
“In Libya, you can criticise Allah but not Gaddafi”, RSF reports
(RSF/IFEX) – On 4 October 2006, Reporters Without Borders published the full report of the fact-finding visit it made to Libya from 13 to 17 September. It was first time the press freedom organisation has been able to go to Libya in 20 years. This in itself is one of the signs of the changes […]
Journalist’s abduction, torture and murder still unpunished one year later
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 25 June 2006 EOHR press release: One year after Libya’s Al-Ghazal: Impunity in effect More than a year after the abduction and murder of Libyan journalist Daif Al-Ghazal, Libyan and international free expression and human rights groups voice concern and dismay at the continued secrecy and impunity under which […]
Political prisoner may face death penalty for slander
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Political Prisoner May Face Death Penalty On Trial for Defaming Leader, Speaking with Foreign Official (New York, May 4, 2006) – Libya’s most prominent political prisoner, Fathi al-Jahmi, faces a possible death sentence for slandering Libyan leader Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi and talking with a […]
Journalist al-Mansuri among 132 political prisoners freed; Fathi al-Jahmi remains jailed
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 2 March 2006 Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Hopeful Sign as 132 Political Prisoners Freed Government Should Lift Restrictive Laws (New York, March 2, 2006) – The Libyan government’s pardoning today of 132 political prisoners is a hopeful sign of reform, Human Rights Watch said. Most of them […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Despite release of fourteen political prisoners, Human Rights Watch report highlights need to deepen rights reform
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Need to Deepen Rights Reform 14 Political Prisoners Released (Cairo, January 25, 2006) – As Libya emerges from long-term international isolation, the government has taken some important steps to improve human rights, including the recent release of 14 political prisoners. But the Libyan […]
Cyber-dissident Al Mansouri completes a year in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – On the first anniversary of cyber-dissident Abdel Razak Al Mansouri’s arrest, Reporters Without Borders has reiterated its call for the immediate release of this former bookseller, who is serving an 18-month prison sentence for posting articles critical of President Muammar Gaddafi on the Internet. “Al Mansouri has become the symbol of the fight […]
Internet journalist sentenced to 18 months in prison
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Internet Journalist Sentenced to Prison Government Attempt to Muzzle Free Speech (New York, November 3, 2005) – A Libyan court has sentenced an Internet journalist to one-and-a-half years in prison after he published articles critical of the government, Human Rights Watch said today. […]
Human Rights Watch concerned about stifling of political debate and health of imprisoned Internet writer
(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Libya: Web Writer’s Arrest Stifles Debate Prison Interview with Internet Critic (New York, August 17, 2005) – The Libyan government should release journalist and Internet writer ‘Abd al-Raziq al-Mansuri and drop the charges against him or grant him a prompt and fair […]