Archive for May, 2010

Pakistan: Nationalists attack news offices

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Hundreds of activists from the Sindh Nationalists Party launched a sit-in outside the offices of the Daily Jang and Geo News TV channel in Karachi on Sunday evening. After some of the protesters attacked the building, staff and security guards barricaded themselves inside. Police arrested 85 people but all have since been released.

Zimbabwe: Gay activists arrested

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Two employees of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, the country’s only gay and lesbian advocacy group, have been arrested after police raided their offices. Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhambi were accused of possessing pornographic materials and dangerous drugs, after a search conducted under Zimbabwe’s repressive censorship laws which also saw the seizure of documents and computers. Since their arrest, the suspects have been denied contact with their lawyers, despite the fact that Chademana suffers from diabetes. Police have not confirmed either the specific charges being brought against the pair, or when they are likely to be released.

Swaziland: Opposition leader charged with terrorism

Monday, May 24th, 2010

The leader of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), an opposition party, has been arrested and charged with terrorism offences following the funeral of party member Sipho Jele. Mario Masuku was arrested after giving a eulogy that mentioned PUDEMO by name, an offence under Swaziland’s Suppression of Terrorism Act. Jele’s funeral had previously been postponed following a police raid. His suspicious death in police custody after being arrested for wearing a T-shirt bearing an opposition logo sparked protests.

Tibet: School bans “separatist” ringtones

Monday, May 24th, 2010

A high school near the city of Shigatse in Tibet has banned teachers and pupils from having “separatist” ringtones on their mobile phones after they were ruled “unhealthy” by local education officials. A list of 27 popular Tibetan songs was posted on the school website, and anyone caught in possession of them was warned they would be “severely dealt with”.

Quebec to ban niqab

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Quebec’s legislature has introduced a bill which could ban woman wearing the niqab face veil if they wish to access public services in the province. Public debate on the controversial Bill 94 has been suspended until August after more than 60 recommendations were received in the first three days of testimony. It is now unlikely that the bill will be voted into law before the end of the current legislative session in June.

Index on Censorship at the Hay Festival

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Index at Hay
Join Index on Censorship at the Hay Literary and Arts Festival from 27 May to 6 June

Visit the Index stand in the main festival site for special Hay subscription rates, freebies and special guests.

Index will have events on both weekends of the festival. On 30 May, Chief Executive John Kampfner discusses his latest book Freedom for Sale: How We Made Money and Lost Our Liberty
More details here

On 6 June, Index on Censorship hosts a discussion on artistic ownership:
Copyright, Copyleft and Artistic Freedom in the Information Age: Who Owns the Words?, featuring David Shields, John Sutherland, Feargal Sharkey, Sarah Hunter, and Claire Armitstead

More details here

Full details of the UK’s premier literary festival at www.hayfestival.com

Egypt: Minister accuses journalist of libel

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit filed a lawsuit against opposition writer Hamdi Kandil for insult and libel on 19 May. Kandil wrote an opinion piece in Al-Shuruq newspaper, entitled Huan al Watan Wa Huan Almutan (Humiliation of homeland and the citizen) in which here he criticises the minister and highlights government corruption.

Bahrain suspends al-Jazeera

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Al-Jazeera was suspended from operating in Bahrain on 19 May. The government said the news channel was “flouting the laws regulating the press and publishing” in the country and did not comply with “professional norms.” The bureau’s suspension includes both the Arabic and English stations and Bahrain-based online content; and an Al-Jazeera film crew have been denied entry into the country. Some reports claim a report Al-Jazeera aired on poverty in Bahrain may have been the catalyst for the ban.