International Freedom of Expression Exchange: The global network for free expression
Free Expression Spotlight
1 February 2012
International
Twitter policy that restricts tweets sparks outrage
Twitter announced last week that it would begin restricting tweets in specific countries if they violated local laws, setting off claims of censorship by IFEX members Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR).
From the Communiqué
1 February 2012
International
Copyright agreement will restrict online free expression, say French MEP and IFEX members
A French member of the European parliament (MEP) who was in charge of negotiating an international copyright agreement quit his role, calling the agreement's passage a "masquerade" on the same day that it was signed by members of the European Union, reports ARTICLE 19. The agreement would restrict online free expression, say ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Campaigns and Advocacy
7 February 2012
Joint action - Kazakhstan
Twenty-nine IFEX members call for release of independent newspaper editor
Twenty-nine IFEX members have signed a letter to the Prosecutor General about the detention of editor Igor Vinyavsky, whose detention is believed to be politically motivated, calling for him to be released and for the evidence leading to his arrest to be made public.
6 February 2012
Americas
Civil society organisations call for careful evaluation of OAS Working Group recommendations
The IFEX-ALC and the Regional Alliance for Freedom of Expression and Information call for a careful evaluation of certain recommendations that could impact the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.
31 January 2012
Philippines
CMFR hails UNHRC recommendations
The United Nations Human Rights Committee declared that the provisions of the country’s Revised Penal Code (RPC) penalizing libel as a criminal offense is “incompatible with Article 19, paragraph three of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)” to which the Philippines is a signatory.
31 January 2012
Bahrain
BCHR concerned about Bahrain's election to UNESCO education bureau
BCHR demands that Bahrain's membership in the UNESCO IBE be frozen, and contingent on the authorities taking steps to put an end to the targeting of members of the education sector.
30 January 2012
Bahrain
Freedom House opposes US arms sale
Because the new arms sale is being broken up into multiple small pieces, it does not fall under Congressional notification requirements and details do not have to be made public.See all IFEX member campaigns
Urgent alerts
IRAN: Blogger sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, newspaper suspended The Tehran revolutionary court sentenced Mehdi Khazali to 14 years’ imprisonment, 10 years’ internal exile in the south-western city of Borazjan and 70 lashes.7 February 2012 EGYPT: ANHRI condemns attacks on protestors, raid on residential building Security services used excessive force against protesters headed towards the ministry of interior, arresting dozens and injuring hundreds.
7 February 2012 IRAN: Arrest sweeps target Arab minority At least some of the arrests in Khuzestan province were reportedly in response to anti-government slogans and graffiti expressing sympathy for the Arab Spring and calling for a boycott of the parliamentary elections.
7 February 2012
Take action!
TURKEY: Add your signature to IPI petition to free journalist Nedim Sener
Turkish journalist Nedim Sener has spent nearly 300 days in jail for being part of the "Ergenekon" plot, in which an alleged ultra-nationalist organisation with ties to security forces is said to have planned to use terrorism to overthrow the government. Join more than 3,000 people in an International Press Institute (IPI) petition calling for a fair trial or his immediate release.
11 January 2012
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