Human Rights Watch

On the same day the Filipino government celebrated the country’s “robust” press freedom, the license of Rappler news group was revoked over “foreign ownership” allegations, months after President Duterte made similar claims during a speech.

The director of rights group Memorial is the latest activist to be targeted on dubious drug charges.

Ethiopia’s ruling coalition has announced it would release political prisoners and close the infamous Maekelawi detention centre in Addis Ababa. While the government did not say how and when this would occur, doing so would be an important step toward ending longstanding political repression and human rights abuse in the country.

In December, MENA activists focused on the plight of political detainees serving lengthy and unjust sentences in obscurity.

The Justice Ministry has proposed striking some repressive provisions in the 2017 law in response to concerns from civil society groups, but left in place others that would allow disproportionate and arbitrary restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, privacy, and protection of data.

Riot police used water cannons, rubber bullets, teargas, and batons against both non-violent protesters and journalists.

An in-depth analysis of the laws and regulations used by the Singapore government to suppress speech and peaceful assembly.

Khayrullo Mirsaidov appears to be the latest victim of Tajikistan’s crackdown on critical voices. The government should ensure his rights in detention, including to be free from ill treatment and have access to a lawyer, and should move promptly to secure his release.