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IFEX Communiqué Vol 21, No 03

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International

IFEX member websites go dark in protest against online piracy bills

As part of what has become the largest online protest in the history of the Internet, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and ARTICLE 19 pulled the plug on their websites on 18 January in protest against two online piracy bills currently before the U.S. Congress, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA).

Turkey

Justice not served in Hrant Dink's case

A Turkish court this week sentenced a man to life in prison for inciting the murder of prominent ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink five years ago, but cleared all 19 suspects of belonging to a terrorist organisation, reports IFEX member in Turkey the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), along with other IFEX members.

Burma

IFEX members welcome release of journalists, bloggers

In a move showing the government's commitment to reform, Burma has released more than 650 prisoners in a presidential amnesty, including high-profile blogger Nay Phone Latt, five Democratic Voice of Burma journalists and leading musician-journalist Win Maw, report Mizzima News and other IFEX members. Of those released in this latest round of prison releases, 302 of them were political prisoners.

Pakistan

Inquiry unable to find culprits of journalist's murder

An official investigation into the killing of journalist Saleem Shahzad, who reported that Islamist militants had infiltrated the military, was unable to find his murderers, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Thailand

Journalist may have been killed for exposing land disputes

A Thai journalist and political activist who often exposed land disputes was shot dead in Phuket, Thailand, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to Human Rights Watch, more than 20 environmentalists and human rights defenders have been killed in Thailand since 2001, and few of those responsible have been held to account.

Somalia

Independent journalists arrested in unprecedented numbers

Somalia's breakaway territory Somaliland has shut down a private television station it accuses of airing anti-government propaganda, and arrested 21 journalists who protested the move, report the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and other IFEX members.

International / Awards and other opportunities

Index calls for nominations for 2012 Freedom of Expression Awards

"We bring the biggest stories in free expression. Now it's your turn to tell us who stands out." So says Index on Censorship, which is calling for nominations for its annual Freedom of Expression Awards. Hurry! The deadline for submissions is 25 January 2012.