PEN Norway

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on 25 November 2010, 44 IFEX members, including members of the IFEX Gender Working Group, call attention to the situation of women in the free expression community who are subject to targeted attacks because of their gender.

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.

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.

IFEX members called on the Burmese government and the governments of the ASEAN to ensure freedom of expression, access to information, democratic values and human rights are respected during this critical moment in the electoral history of Burma.

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.

Writers and free-expression advocates from around the world warn of the potential harm of imposing legal restrictions on expression considered offensive or defamatory to religions.

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.

Gamal Eid, Ahmad Saif al-Islam and Amr Gharbeia are charged with criminal defamation, use of threats and misuse of communications tools.