15 April 2009
Communiqué Vol 18, No 15
Fiji
The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are demanding that Fiji's military government stop deporting journalists and censoring the media after the government declared a 30-day state of emergency last week.
Moldova
Since the eruption of mass opposition protests after election results were announced in Moldova on 6 April, journalists reporting for international and Romanian media outlets have been refused entry into the country; various news websites and stations have been censored and media workers reporting from within Moldova have been arrested, harassed and assaulted.
Azerbaijan
After serving two years and nine months of his three-year prison sentence, Azerbaijani journalist Sakit Zahidov was pardoned and released last week, report the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Thailand
Both the government and opposition protesters targeted the press in Thailand's recent political drama, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
East Timor
A set of draft laws prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the government of East Timor, while containing several positive legal protections, are rife with dangerous provisions that would undermine the media's ability to perform their vital role in the recently independent nation.
Vietnam
Two of the seven writers still in prison as a result of the Vietnamese government's severe crackdown on peaceful dissidents last August and September are being denied visitation rights and are prone to ill treatment, warns International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC). WiPC is asking you to write a letter to the authorities to demand their release.
Events
Gathering in Istanbul for Freedom of Expression, an international meeting organised by local Turkish groups, including IFEX member the Initiative for Freedom of Expression, is holding its sixth bi-annual conference from 22 to 24 May.
Awards and other opportunities
The Canadian organisation Rights & Democracy is currently accepting nominations for the John Humphrey Freedom Award, which is presented every year to an organisation or person who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights and democratic development. The deadline for nominations is 30 April 2009.
RSS