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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 40

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Burma

Hundreds of political prisoners freed, including famous comedian

The Burmese government has freed hundreds of prisoners, including the famous comedian Zarganar, and announced that it would free 6,000 more, report Mizzima News, the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International (WiPC), Index on Censorship (Index), ARTICLE 19, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Venezuela

Government rejects UPR recommendations on free expression

On 11 October, the Venezuelan government rejected all requests to improve aspects of freedom of expression recommended by IFEX members and included in the final report of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the 12th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva.

Yemen

"Mother of the Revolution" wins peace prize; two journalists killed

Freedom of expression organisations around the world are cheering the news that Yemeni press freedom advocate Tawakkul Karman was among three women awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week. But the celebration is also marked with sadness and frustration due to the murders of two more Yemeni journalists, say IFEX members.

Russia

Five years after Politkovskaya's assassination, impunity still reigns

With the five-year anniversary of the murder of investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya on 7 October, the recent arrest of the alleged gunmen and conspirator bring little hope to numerous IFEX members, including Russian members the Glasnost Defence Foundation (GDF) and the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES).

Cameroon

Media repression reported by IFEX members ahead of elections

In the week leading up to Cameroon's national elections, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) conducted a press freedom mission that concluded both the country's media laws and democratic participation require a major overhaul. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), meanwhile, reports on the detention and assault of journalists just one day before the elections.

Pakistan

Journalist tortured in "targeted killing"

The lifeless body of Faisal Qureshi, a Pakistani journalist who wrote for British online publication "The London Post", was found in his Lahore home on 7 October, report the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

International

Corporate-aided government surveillance up, but so are thwarting strategies, say new reports

Governments, with the help of major communications corporations, are stepping up their Internet and phone censorship and surveillance, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). But developing technologies and strategies that circumvent government tactics give reason for hope for freer online media, according to a new report from the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies and Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, Canada.