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Communiqué Vol 18, No 19

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Yemen

Police raid paper, wound three

This morning (13 May) police surrounded and opened fire on the office of Yemen's leading independent daily, the latest target of the government's crackdown on the media, report the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.

Iran / United States

Roxana Saberi freed

IFEX members welcomed the release of U.S. Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi, whose eight-year jail term for spying for the U.S. was this week reduced to a suspended two-year sentence and a five-year ban on reporting from Iran.

Pakistan

Journalists flee Swat Valley

Only a few journalists are left in Pakistan's restive Swat Valley to cover the government's military offensive against the Taliban, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as well as news reports on the website of the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Malaysia

Eighty arrested in standoff over control of Perak state

Last week the Malaysian government under new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak arrested nearly 80 writers, opposition members and activists who were protesting the takeover of the northern state of Perak by the ruling federal government coalition Barisan Nasional, reports IFEX interim member the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) in Malaysia.

Uzbekistan

Thirty-two IFEX members demand release of reporter serving 10 years

An Uzbek journalist who dared to cover some of his country's worst environmental disasters was arrested last year on trumped-up drug charges and is now serving 10 years in jail. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House and 30 other IFEX members have sent a joint letter to the Uzbek authorities to demand that Salijon Abdurahmanov is freed and that journalists are never imprisoned for their work.

Senegal

President pardons editor convicted of defamation

A Senegalese editor who was serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for defaming leading government officials has been pardoned, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

International

Scholar Rescue Fund fellowships

The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund is now accepting applications and nominations for its fellowships for threatened academics. Professors, researchers and lecturers from any country or field whose lives and work are in danger in their home country may apply. The deadline is 15 June 2009.

International

Global Integrity seeks experts for 2009 Report

Global Integrity, a U.S.-based governance and anti-corruption watchdog, is looking for journalists, researchers and social scientists from around the world to prepare its 2009 edition of the Global Integrity Report.