ARTICLE 19

In a statement published on World Press Freedom Day, four free expression rapporteurs warn of systematic attacks aimed at silencing voices at international, national and local levels.

Legal proceedings that have involved serious rights violations have kept Mayan journalist Pedro Canché in jail since 30 August 2014 on allegations of sabotage.

On World Press Freedom Day, organisations from around the globe commit to defending the right to freedom of expression, even when that right is being used to express views that may be offensive.

NGOs, parliamentarians and solidarity groups all around the world are telling Indonesia that human rights abuses in Papua can no longer be ignored. Papuan voices must be heard. In this age of information, it’s astounding that there are blackspot regions like West Papua.

Mostafa Azizi, author and television producer, was arrested and moved to Iran’s notorious Evin prison on 1 February 2015. Azizi has been charged with “insulting the Supreme Leader”, “conspiracy against the regime” and “conspiracy against public order” amongst other charges.

Concerns include the use of Malaysia’s Sedition Act to suppress legitimate criticism of government and courts.

Various groups expressed misgivings about the process by which a cybercrime bill was drafted and revised. The democratic process in Pakistan is undermined and the bill contains several provisions that are potentially damaging to privacy and freedom of expression.

“President Enrique Peña Nieto told media owners that free expression is guaranteed in our country. The murders of 11 media workers in Mexico, three of them in Oaxaca, tell a different story,” said Darío Ramírez, Director of the Mexico and Central America ARTICLE 19 office.