Maharat Foundation

The IFEX-TMG is deeply concerned that five years after hosting the World Summit on the Information Society, Tunisia remains one of the most repressive countries for independent journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders.

The public is invited to join IFEX members in signing a petition to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding the case of British writer and journalist Alan Shadrake who is at risk of being sent to prison in Singapore for his book, “Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock” about the death penalty.

On the eve of the International Association of Judges (IAJ) Congress, the IFEX-TMG reiterates its deep concern about the continuous persecution of independent judges.

Since Abdirahman Mohamed Farole became president on 11 January 2009, journalists have been arrested, physically assaulted, suspended, censored and even killed, and the operations of news media organisations have been threatened, closed or restricted.

IFEX-TMG is gravely concerned for the well-being of Fahem Boukaddous, who began a hunger strike on 8 October to protest his prison conditions.

IFEX-TMG members have written to the IAJ to appeal for support for judges, who are being persecuted for openly calling for judicial independence or for criticising the government.

There has been a steady decline in the working environment for Congolese journalists and the space for free expression is shrinking.

The Lebanese General Security Department has barred screening of director Degaulle Eid’s documentary Chou sar twice in less than one month.