Category: Free speech
-
Urgent Concerns Regarding the Detention of Human Rights Defender Anon Nampa in Thailand
We are deeply concerned about the continued detention of human rights defender and pro-democracy activist Anon Nampa in Bangkok Remand Prison. Despite his peaceful advocacy for social welfare, democracy, justice, rule of law, and human rights, Anon Nampa has been subjected to two prison sentences and faces multiple further charges that could result in several…
-
Kyrgyz President Urged to Veto Controversial Law Threatening Civil Liberties
In a significant development, the Kyrgyz parliament has passed a new law that has raised concerns among civil rights advocates both locally and internationally. The law, known as the Law on Non-commercial Organisations, or the law on “foreign representatives,” has sparked criticism for its potential to curb civic activism and restrict fundamental freedoms such as…
-
Exiled Journalist of Turkiye
The plight of exiled journalists from Turkiye, such as Cevheri Guven, Adem Yavuz Aslan, Said Sefa, Ahmet Bozkus, Ahmet Donmez, Abdulhamit Bilici, Erk Acarer, Levent Kenez, Can Dundar, Abdullah Bozkurt, Ahmet Nesin, Sevgi Akarcesme and many more, reflects a distressing trend of persecution and suppression of free speech and independent journalism in Turkiye. These journalists…
-
Freedom Activist Huda Kaya unlawfully detained, again
Huda Kaya; a writer, activist and a former politician focusing on women’s rights and minority ethnic population’s rights in Turkey has been unlawfully detained in early November on ‘suspicion of escaping (fleeing) the country’ and is being kept in solitary confinement. Her previous work on defending against the hijab ban in public during February 28th…
-
Recent Increase in Human Rights Violations in Belarus
In recent years, the human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated significantly, with an alarming increase in violations and repression by the government. This article will provide an overview of the recent increase in human rights violations in Belarus, drawing from multiple sources. Increase in Political Repression According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2022…
-
What has been happening in Iran with the compulsory veiling after the mass protests?
An image taken during the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ protests shows red paint and “Iran” in a protester’s hand. Source: The Conversation. The Islamic Republic of Iran rules the country under Sharia law, and compulsory veiling is used. A year ago, after the death of Mahsa Amini; an increase in protests and calls for revolution were…
-
Unlawfully imprisoned journalist struggling with health conditions in prison
The image shows Ziya Ataman posing while holding his camera, a woman in the background. Source: Evrensel In 2016, after the attempted coup d’état in Turkiye, the government decrees (KHK) targeted the freedom of the press, and one media news agent including DIHA (Turkish: Dicle Haber Ajansi, DİHA). These news agents are known as its…
-
An award-winning artist fired by the Guardian
Photo: Steve Bell’s cartoon: captured “Residents of Gaza, get out now”, showing Netanyahu cutting his exposed belly shape of Gaza with a scalpel, wearing boxing gloves. Source: https://www.belltoons.co.uk/hotoffpress Steve Bell, one of the most well-known cartoonist, working in this field since 1977. He has 30 books published and 6 awards for being the “ Cartoonist…
-
THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM WOMEN ARE UNDER ATTACK IN EUROPE
Europe has been having a long-lasting battle with trying to minimise discrimination based on one’s religion. However, the implementations of the principle undermine the principles of some of the biggest religions followed. In France, public education bans wearing religious symbols; that includes hijab for Muslim women and turban for Sikh men and the Jewish kippa.…
-
The Increasing Threat to Journalists and Human Rights in Azerbaijan
In recent years, Azerbaijan has experienced a troubling increase in journalist arrests and human rights violations. This crackdown on independent media and civil society organizations has raised concerns about the country’s commitment to freedom of speech and press freedom. Several journalists have been targeted and arrested on questionable charges, while human rights abuses continue to…