PEN International

Lapiro de Mbanga was freed on completion of a three-year prison sentence for allegedly instigating anti-government riots.

Bertrand Teyou has been detained since November 2010 for “insulting” President Biya’s wife in a book published in 2010 and for attempting to hold a public reading of the offending text.

Dr. Alsingace was among 23 leading Shia activists freed in February 2011 following widespread calls for political reform and the release of political prisoners.

The sentence stemmed from an article published by Abdullah while in prison in 2009, criticising Syrian-Iranian relations.

Before his release, Dr. Abdul-Jalil Alsingace had been asked to sign a document promising not to criticise the government but he declined to do so.

Throughout 2010 the WiPC monitored over 730 cases of attacks against writers, journalists, publishers and others in 81 countries.

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.

Authorities were quick to deny that Chávez’s murder was related to her activism and poetry highlighting femicide in Ciudad Juárez.