Freedom House

Protests in Pretoria have turned violent, with members of the media being threatened with violence by both the protesters and the police should they capture images of looting, and foreign nationals’ businesses being targeted.

The severity of one of the recent attacks, in which intruders beat a security guard to death, demonstrates the urgency of addressing these attacks, for which no-one has been held responsible.

Dance performances as well as documentaries featuring rights violations and struggles for justice were targeted by censors across Asia and the Pacific region in May.

Eight civil society activists, all of them employees of the organization for Training and Human Development (TRACKs), were summoned by the prosecutor for crimes against the state on 22 May 2016.

“Coming days after nationwide protests against the proposed land reform, and the arrest of the protest organizers last week, the verdict against Guzyal Baidalinova on spurious charges of libel is part of the Kazakhstan government’s crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression.”

“The decision by the Office of the Inspector General to investigate possible violations by police is a welcomed first step toward holding accountable those who used improper force.”

Those arrested and charged with “distributing leaflets for an unauthorized rally” or “sowing social discord” include Ermek Narymbai, Asylbek Amantayev, Kuat Kunbolatov, Marat Uatkan, and Suyundyk Aldabergenov.

“Civil society plays a crucial role in eradicating slavery in Mauritania, a role the government of Mauritania should recognize by releasing all other activists imprisoned for advancing the cause of equal rights.”