Freedom House

(Freedom House/IFEX) – April 12, 2012 – Phillipe Nanga, Cyrille Bechon, and Herve Nzousabet, leaders of local human rights organizations in Cameroon, were detained on April 11 as they sought to meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly to discuss the draft Electoral Code, which is being debated during an extraordinary session of parliament. […]

The IFEX-TMG is alarmed at attacks and prison sentences based on religious morality charges, as well as the use of force by police on demonstrators.

An open letter by 44 organisations calls Iraq’s proposed Information Technology Crimes law a threat to the fundamental freedoms necessary for the evolution of free speech and a vibrant press. The law will come to vote in the Iraqi Council of Representatives in April.

A workshop held by SID’ADO, a registered civic organisation, focusing on human rights and sexual orientation was interrupted by demonstrators who declared that homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon and that the meeting would not take place.

While legally, civic organisations are only required to obtain police clearance for expressly political meetings, others are frequently visited by police and intelligence officials who may monitor and interrupt proceedings or intimidate and even arrest organisers on spurious charges.

Among the demands expressed by the rights organisations is the immediate release of human rights activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, whose health is severely compromised after 50 days of hunger strike.

The justice minister proposed the legislation, informing the Senate the government would take a “tough” stance on those who criticise the king via social media and “set an example.”

There is widespread speculation that Kapito was arrested in order to prevent him from testifying at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva at which Malawi’s final human rights report will be presented as a part of the Universal Periodic Review process.