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Archive for the ‘free speech’ Category

Israel/Palestinian Authority: Theater Group Hit From Both Sides

July 27th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Palestinian Authority and Israeli military authorities should both end abuses against members of the West Bank-based Freedom Theater.

(Jerusalem) – The Palestinian Authority and Israeli military authorities should both end abuses against members of the West Bank-based Freedom Theater, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Criminal Justice, free speech, Israel and the Occupied Territories, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release | Comments Closed

Oman: Drop Cases Against Online Activists

July 21st, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Omani government should drop its cases against nine online activists and a demonstrator who were convicted of crimes solely for exercising their rights to free expression. The cases are before the Omani appeals court.

(Beirut) – The Omani government should drop its cases against nine online activists and a demonstrator who were convicted of crimes solely for exercising their rights to free expression. The cases are before the Omani appeals court.

Posted in free speech, internet freedom, Middle East/N. Africa, Oman, Press release | Comments Closed

UAE: Crackdown on Islamist Group Intensifies

July 18th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have intensified a crackdown on peaceful political activists with the arrest on July 16, 2012, of 13 activists affiliated with the Islamist group al-Islah.

(Beirut) – United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have intensified a crackdown on peaceful political activists with the arrest on July 16, 2012, of 13 activists affiliated with the Islamist group al-Islah.

Posted in free speech, internet freedom, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, United Arab Emirates | Comments Closed

Cambodia: After US, ASEAN Leave, Media Critic Jailed

July 17th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Cambodian government should release and drop all charges against Mam Sonando, the owner of Cambodia’s main politically independent radio station and prominent critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The authorities arrested Mom Sanando at his home on the morning of July 15, 2012, and charged him under six sections of the penal code, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

(New York) – The Cambodian government should release and drop all charges against Mam Sonando, the owner of Cambodia’s main politically independent radio station and prominent critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Posted in ASEAN, Asia, Beehive Radio, Cambodia, clinton, free speech, hun sen, Mom Sonando, Press release | Comments Closed

Russia: As Olympics Launch, Sochi Abuses Loom

July 17th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Russia’s preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi should be carried out with full respect for human rights, in particular for those engaged in or affected by Olympic construction.

(Moscow) – Russia’s preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi should be carried out with full respect for human rights, in particular for those engaged in or affected by Olympic construction, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Europe/Central Asia, evictions, free speech, Labor, Migrants, Forced Labor, Press Freedom, Press release, Russia, Sochi Olympics | Comments Closed

Saudi Arabia: Free Editor Held Under Cybercrime Law

July 17th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Saudi authorities should drop charges and release the editor of the Free Saudi Liberals website for violating his right to freedom of expression on matters of religion and religious figures. Prosecutors have charged Ra’if Badawi under the 2007 Anti-Cybercrime law, alleging that his website “infringes on religious values” by providing a platform for open debate of views on religion and religious figures.

(Beirut) – Saudi authorities should drop charges and release the editor of the Free Saudi Liberals website for violating his right to freedom of expression on matters of religion and religious figures.

Posted in free speech, internet freedom, Middle East/N. Africa, Press Freedom, Press release, Saudi Arabia | Comments Closed

Russia: Criminal Libel Law a Blow to Free Expression

July 16th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The re-introduction of criminal libel to Russia’s domestic laws is a yet another serious blow to freedom of expression.

(Moscow) – The re-introduction of criminal libel to Russia’s domestic laws is a yet another serious blow to freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Europe/Central Asia, free speech, libel, Press release, Russia, Vladimir Putin | Comments Closed

UAE: Stop Expulsion of Bidun Activist

July 15th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities should halt plans to expel an activist and blogger to Thailand on July 16, 2012, and immediately free him. Authorities have detained Ahmed Abd al-Khaleq, an advocate for the rights of stateless residents known as Bidun, without charge or explanation since May 22.

(Beirut) – United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities should halt plans to expel an activist and blogger to Thailand on July 16, 2012, and immediately free him.

Posted in free speech, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, United Arab Emirates | Comments Closed

China: Attempts to Seal Off Tibet from Outside Information

July 13th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Restrictions on news, media, and communications in Tibet have been stepped up by Chinese authorities in the lead-up to the 18th Party Congress, due to take place in late 2012. The measures appear to be an effort to cut off Tibetans in Chinafrom news not subjected to the government’s domestic monopoly on information. They are presented officially as an attempt to prevent the views of the exiled Dalai Lama and his followers from reaching Tibetans inside China, particularly those living in rural areas.

(New York) – Restrictions on news, media, and communications in Tibet have been stepped up by Chinese authorities in the lead-up to the 18th Party Congress, due to take place in late 2012.

Posted in Asia, Chen Quanguo, China and Tibet, exiled Dali Lama, free speech, internet freedom, Internet Use, Press Freedom, Press release, Tibet, Tibet Atonomous Region, Tibetans | Comments Closed

Iran: End Abuse of Imprisoned Journalists

July 13th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Iranian authorities should immediately put an end to the mistreatment of two prominent imprisoned journalists and provide them with necessary medical care. Human Rights Watch again called on authorities to quash the men’s convictions, which violate their freedom of expression, and release them unconditionally.

(New York) – Iranian authorities should immediately put an end to the mistreatment of two prominent imprisoned journalists and provide them with necessary medical care. Human Rights Watch again called on authorities to quash the men’s convictions, which violate their freedom of expression, and release them unconditionally.

Posted in free speech, Iran, Middle East/N. Africa, Press Freedom, Press release | Comments Closed

Iraq: Cybercrimes Law Violates Free Speech

July 12th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

A new draft law on information technology crimes would restrict free speech in violation of international law and poses a severe threat to journalists, whistleblowers, and peaceful activists, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The pending law includes vague provisions that would allow Iraqi authorities to harshly punish expression they decide constitutes a threat to governmental, social, or religious interests. The Council of Representatives, the parliament, should not approve the law without revising it to remove the rights restrictions.

(Baghdad) – A new draft law on information technology crimes would restrict free speech in violation of international law and poses a severe threat to journalists, whistleblowers, and peaceful activists, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Posted in Criminal Justice, free speech, internet freedom, Iraq, Middle East/N. Africa, Press Freedom, Press release | Comments Closed

Bahrain: Rights Activist Jailed for ‘Insulting’ Tweets

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Bahraini authorities should immediately release the prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and overturn his conviction for posting an “insulting” tweet, which violates his freedom of expression. The authorities should immediately suspend, and then abolish, the use of any criminal laws that violate freedom of expression, including those that criminalize “insults” and peaceful criticism of the government.

(Beirut) – The Bahraini authorities should immediately release the prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and overturn his conviction for posting an “insulting” tweet, which violates his freedom of expression.

Posted in Bahrain, free speech, internet freedom, Middle East/N. Africa, Nabeel Rajab, Press release | Comments Closed

UN Human Rights Council: Eritrea, Belarus Told to End Abuses

July 6th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The United Nations Human Rights Council took bold action to address the chronically poor human rights situations in Belarus and Eritrea

The United Nations Human Rights Council took bold action to address the chronically poor human rights situations in Belarus and read more

Posted in Africa, Ales Bialitski, Bahrain, Belarus, Commission of Inquiry, Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, detention of journalists, Eritrea, Europe/Central Asia, Forced Conscription, free speech, Geneva, HRC, HRC 20th session, Human Rights Defenders, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Mali, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, shoot to kill, Syria, Torture, United Nations | Comments Closed

Afghanistan: Draft Law Threatens Media Freedom

July 2nd, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Afghan government should withdraw a draft media law that would expand government control over the media and chill free speech. The draft law raises serious questions about President Hamid Karzai’s commitment to freedom of expression.

(New York) – The Afghan government should withdraw a draft media law that would expand government control over the media and chill free speech.

Posted in Afgan Media Draft Law, Afghanistan, Asia, Free Expression, free speech, Press Freedom, Press release, The High Media Council, The Ministry of Information and Culture | Comments Closed

UN Human Rights Council: Strong Message on Bahrain Abuses

June 28th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

For the first time, 28 countries, including Mexico, Norway, Costa Rica, France, and Germany, condemned ongoing violations in Bahrain through a joint collective declaration pronounced by Swirtzerland during a UN Human Rights Council debate. But the United States, the United Kingdom (UK), and eight other European Union (EU) states remained silent.

(Geneva) – For the first time, 28 countries, including Mexico, Norway, Costa Rica, France, and Germany, condemned ongoing violations in read more

Posted in Bahrain, Criminal Justice, free speech, Freedom of Association, Human Rights Defenders, Middle East Uprising, Middle East/N. Africa, Peace and Justice, Police Brutality, Press release, Prison and Jail Conditions, Racism and Discrimination, United Nations | Comments Closed