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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 21

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Middle East and North Africa

Women face human cost of Arab Spring uprisings

Last week IFEX members celebrated the release of two women journalists in the Middle East and North Africa. This was a small victory for free expression. But it also exemplified the huge risks that face women who have emerged at the forefront of the Arab Spring uprisings, say IFEX members. Women journalists and activists who don't work for international media have not been so lucky.

Libya

Government silent about fifth journalist killed; four journalists released

UK-based South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl, 41, was shot dead by Libyan troops on 5 April near Brega in eastern Libya. He had been working with three other foreign journalists when they were fired upon by pro-Gaddafi forces. The other journalists were captured and later released; and only after crossing the border into Tunisia did they speak of Hammerl's death, fearing reprisal from the Libyan government if they mentioned it earlier in calls home. IFEX members are demanding the government release Hammerl's body and investigate the role of armed forces in his death.

Guatemala / Venezuela

Two journalists killed in one week

Last week, a Guatemalan television journalist who had been repeatedly threatened for his reporting was found dead and a Venezuelan political journalist was gunned down, report the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Burma

Sign a petition for the release of political prisoners

Human Rights Watch is urging you to sign a petition calling for the release of more than 2,100 political prisoners in Burma, including the famous comedian Zarganar.

International / Awards and other opportunities

Nominate someone for the Gleitsman International Activist Award

Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership is seeking out the next winner of its Gleitsman International Activist Award. Nominate individuals you believe have initiated great social change in their communities or countries. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2011.

Lebanon

Follow IFEX in Beirut

Next week, IFEX members will be converging in Beirut, Lebanon, for the IFEX Strategy Conference, the biennial meeting of the world's largest network of free expression organisations. Registration is closed, but for those of you who can't be there, follow us on Twitter: @IFEXGM2011 and through our blog: http://www.ifexgm2011.wordpress.com