About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 48

---

Africa / Mexico / Russia

Recent advancements in criminal defamation laws in Africa, Mexico offset by setbacks in Russia

IFEX members have noted some significant advancements in the criminal defamation field these past weeks: the President of Niger has become the first head of state to endorse the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for repeal of criminal defamation and insult laws in Africa, and Mexico's Senate has unanimously approved to decriminalise slander and libel. But although Russia recently amended its defamation legislation, critics say it did not go far enough.

Russia

Election marred by free expression violations

As Russians voted this week in parliamentary elections, censorship, coordinated cyber-attacks, and arrests of journalists and bloggers were carried out in an apparent bid to suppress allegations of electoral fraud and criticism of the ruling party, report the Glasnost Defence Foundation (GDF) and the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES), among other IFEX members.

Syria

IFEX members sound alarm on worsening situation as cameraman found dead and prominent blogger detained

Following the mutilation and murder of a cameraman in Syria, which comes at a time when arrests and disappearances of free expression advocates are the order of the day, numerous IFEX members have called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take measures to hold to account those responsible for the mass violations.

Uganda / Rwanda

Rwandan journalist shot dead in Kampala, Uganda

Charles Ingabire, the Rwandan exiled editor of the online publication "Inyenyeri", was shot dead by one or more unknown gunmen in a vehicle at a bar in Kampala, Uganda on 30 November, report the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) and other IFEX members. As "Inyeyeri" is highly critical of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, it is believed the early morning shooting - which killed Ingabire instantly - was carried out as a punishment for Ingabire's writings.

International

Corporations that help dictators track activists must be held accountable, says RSF

Major software and surveillance companies are making billions by aiding dictators around the world as they arrest and even kill political opponents, according to a new WikiLeaks report called SpyFiles.

International / Events / Middle East and North Africa

Register now for WAN-IFRA's Arab Free Press Forum (Tunis, 22-24 January)

In the midst of the Arab revolutions, what should be the role of the independent Arab press? Join leading publishers, journalists and press freedom advocates in Tunis, Tunisia, to discuss this and more at the Arab Free Press Forum, from 22 to 24 January 2012.