Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Several Muslim women, including journalists, were ‘auctioned off’ in a malicious app in India.

“We call on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to immediately restore access to the Internet and to blocked websites, and to allow journalists to operate freely, without fear of the police, so that they can cover a protest movement that is already historic in its scope” – RSF

Nigerien journalists Samira Sabou and Moussa Aksar are handed suspended sentences for publishing an international report implicating the government’s involvement in drug trafficking.

Newspaper editors Ferdinand Ayité and Joël Egah arrested on charges of defamation are released, but face stringent conditions.

Contempt proceedings were initiated against journalists for reporting on alleged judicial collusion to deny bail to leading opposition politicians on the eve of the 2018 general elections.

After years of intimidation and persecution, which include administrative sanctions, judicial proceedings and surveillance, Togolese journalist Ferdinand Ayité is imprisoned.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) recognised blogger Pratasevich as a victim of arbitrary detention and urged the international community to press Belarus for his release.

The exceptional surge in arbitrary detention is due, above all, to three countries – Myanmar, where the military retook power in a coup on 1 February 2021, Belarus, which has seen a major crackdown since the disputed 2020 presidential election, and China, which is tightening its grip on Hong Kong.