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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 39

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International

IFEX launches International Day to End Impunity poster contest

Reminder! IFEX is still looking for entries for the International Day to End Impunity poster contest. We've received entries from all over the world and want you to be a part of our contest too! Illustrate impunity for your chance to win cash prizes. Hurry, the deadline for entries is 4 November.

Bahrain

Teachers, doctors and rights activists sentenced, some to life in prison

Bahrain's widely boycotted by-elections on 24 September and 1 October were the background setting for multiple military court hearings that condemned dozens of journalists, activists, teachers and doctors to long prison terms. They were targeted for speaking out in favour of reforms during demonstrations in February or simply for doing their jobs, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and other IFEX members. Among those arrested during the elections were 45 female protesters, some of whom have been reportedly tortured.

Iran

New spate of arrests, including of a film crew, on bogus "conspiracy" charges

The wheels of injustice sped up again in Iran in the last few weeks with a new round of arrests of journalists and filmmakers and the handing down of an 11-year sentence to an ailing human rights defender.

Vietnam

Amnesty for two imprisoned writers but unjust sentences for many more

In Vietnam's annual tradition of giving amnesty to prisoners in recognition of independence day, the government passed over many of those most deserving of amnesty - prisoners of conscience, report Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Equatorial Guinea

UNESCO won't honour Africa's longest-serving dictator with namesake prize

UNESCO has once again announced it will not reinstate a life sciences prize funded by and named after Africa's longest-serving dictator, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, report Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Burundi

Journalists defy media blackout on Gatumba massacre

Journalists are courageously defying a government order not to report on the Gatumba shooting massacre that left more than 35 people dead in Burundi last month, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). It appears to be part of a pattern of censorship.

Venezuela

Follow @IFEXALC at the UN's Universal Periodic Review of Venezuela

IFEX's contingent of 17 Latin American and Caribbean (ALC) freedom of expression organisations is calling on supporters to tune in to their coverage of the United Nation Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Venezuela by reading IFEX-ALC's live blog and following @IFEXALC on Twitter and encouraging others to do the same.