Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

As democracy and the rule of law come increasingly under pressure in a number of EU countries, the undersigned organisations call on EU policymakers to urgently put forward an EU anti-SLAPP Directive to protect public watchdogs that help hold the powerful to account and keep democratic debate alive.

The global pandemic has brought the critical issues of brutality, repression, sustainability and independence of media outlets and information on the African continent to the surface.

“We are alarmed by reports of a rapid increase in Covid infections at Belmarsh prison, resulting in Julian Assange being held in de facto solitary confinement. His physical and mental health history leaves him highly vulnerable, and it is clearly unsafe for him to be detained in these conditions.”

One year after an International Mission to Mexico, the government has failed to fulfil its commitments, and the freedom of expression situation in the country is worsening.

Citing censorship of campaign speeches and media restrictions, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Myanmar’s voters have been largely denied the media pluralism that should accompany an election campaign.

RSF Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu, human rights defender Şebnem Korur Fincancı and writer Ahmet Nesin were acquitted on “terrorist propaganda” charges last year for their roles in a peaceful act of solidarity with the shuttered “Özgür Gündem” newspaper.

Journalists are being targeted by security agents, politicians and party supporters as the Ivory Coast election draws closer.

RSF hopes the complaint leads to a serious criminal investigation that results in the eight officials being prosecuted and convicted for the torture, abduction and enforced disappearance of Isaak.