Freedom House

The “Azadliq” newspaper correspondent was abducted by six masked assailants who warned him to “be clever” and not mention President Ilham Aliyev in his articles.

The large numbers of respondents who have experienced violence and who do not feel free to express political views is very troubling, said Freedom House.

The arrests of eight political and civil society activists were triggered by calls for demonstrations on the anniversary of riots that took place in February 2008.

Seven organisations, including four IFEX members, are calling on authorities to unconditionally release five detained youth activists, and to end restrictions on free expression and freedom of assembly.

At the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council taking place from 28 February to 25 March 2011, groups urged their governments to support a resolution which omits “defamation” and “denigration” of religions and focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.

Federal Minister of Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti may have been killed for his vocal opposition to the country’s harsh blasphemy laws.

The signing organisations are alarmed by the decreasing space for the voices of journalists and opposition parties during the run-up to the 18 February 2011 general elections.

The groups condemn the serious violations of human rights taking place at this critical moment in Egypt.