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IFEX Communiqué Vol 19, No 6

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International

Special Rapporteurs Define Ten Key Challenges to Freedom of Expression in the Next Decade

To mark their tenth year of collaboration, the four rapporteurs on free expression issued a joint declaration last week outlining the ten main challenges to free expression in the next decade. The initiative was organised by ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Law and Democracy.

Yemen

President uses military offensives as cover for attacks on dissidents

Yemeni authorities are taking brutal retaliatory actions against human rights defenders, journalists and critics of the regime's policies, according to IFEX members. In response, 25 Arab rights organisations, including the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and three other IFEX members, have released a joint statement calling on the government to end kidnappings, forced disappearances, torture and arbitrary arrests.

Pakistan

Journalists injured in explosions

Eight Pakistani journalists were injured in a bomb blast in Karachi on 5 February, and four other journalists were assaulted by a mob immediately after the explosion, reports the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Nepal

Media owner slain

A Nepali media owner was gunned down in his car in the centre of Kathmandu on 7 February, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Mauritania

Editor imprisoned for criticising military junta

In a move that surprised press freedom groups, a jailed Mauritanian editor of an online publication critical of the country's rulers was sentenced to a further two years in prison on 4 February, report the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Honduras

Pluralism and press freedom must be restored, says mission

Five IFEX members and two other organisations are calling for dialogue between the Honduran media, human rights groups and civil society in the country in order to rebuild a democratic environment. The seven organisations have released a report on the state of press freedom in Honduras since the 28 June 2009 coup d'état after a joint fact-finding mission in November 2009.

International

International PEN honours dissident writers

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is celebrating 50 years of defending freedom of expression all over the world with a year-long campaign, highlighting 50 emblematic cases, showing where and how WiPC has carried out its work. For each year between 1960 and 2009, one writer has been chosen.

Middle East and North Africa

WAN-IFRA's Arabic Free Press Forum takes place in June in Lebanon

The fourth Arab Free Press Forum will take place in Lebanon in June 2010 in the lead up to the 63rd World Newspaper Congress and 17th World Editors Forum, organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).