Putin’s Russia at war with civil society
Russian authorities not only have narrowed the rules regarding NGOs’ activities, but they also subject civil society activists to direct repression, Andrei Aliaksandrau reports
Tags: Authoritarian,civil society,Duma,Human Rights House,protest,repression,Russia,Sergei Udaltsov,Vladimir Putin
Not the route to free media
A recently released report from a European Union group contains recommendations that would endanger media freedom, says Kirsty Hughes
Tags: European Union,freedom of expression,journalism,Kirsty Hughes,media freedom,politics & society
Many arrested at Baku protest
Prominent journalist and activists Emin Milli and Khadija Ismayilova were among those detained in Baku today as people demonstrated in support of civic action in Ismayilli earlier this week.
Protesters posted photographs and videos of clashes between police and demonstrators and there were reports that tear gas had been used on crowds and that pepper spray had been used against detainees.
“I approached police at demo and asked them to join us! They were thinking for a while. Then Arrested me. Writing from police station,” tweeted Emin Milli on Saturday afternoon.
Up to 100 people were thought to be detained, though initial reports put the number of arrests at around 40.
Have Europe’s politicians failed Azerbaijan?
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This week the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) did not pass a resolution pressurising Azerbaijan to release or retry its political prisoners. Rebecca Vincent looks at how the body’s lack of pressure further endangers free expression in the country
Europe turns its back on Azerbaijan’s political prisoners
The future for political prisoners in Azerbaijan looks bleak after politicians at the Council of Europe (CoE) failed adopt an important resolution today calling for more than 80 cases to be resolved.
Azerbaijani authorities repeatedly deny the presence of any political prisoners in the country, which commands huge business interests around the world, including among several MPs from the United Kingdom, several of whom voted against the resolution.
Disappointment among those who campaign for free expression in Azerbaijan was palpable, with several NGO representatives referring to the vote — 79 in favour and 125 against — as a disgrace.
Among those being held on spurious charges are journalists Avaz Zeynalli, Hilal Mammadov and Vugar Gonagov.
The resolution was based on a report by Rapporteur Christoph Strasser, who was repeatedly denied entry into Azerbaijan to carry out his mandate. Several delegates refused to recognise the resolution on grounds that Strasser prepared his report from outside the oil-rich country.
However, free expression advocates welcomed the adoption of a resolution calling for continued monitoring of the country’s record on free speech and human rights, with 196 members voting in favour and only 13 against. The resolution was based on a report by the CoE’s rapporteurs to Azerbaijan, who expressed “growing concern with regard to rule of law and respect for human rights” in the country and encouraged the Azerbaijani government to strengthen its commitment to honour human rights obligations.
Index on Censorship and Crow Hill Films invite you to a screening of Amazing Azerbaijan! followed by a discussion on Azerbaijan and human rights on 30 January.
Tags: Authoritarian,Avaz Zeynalli,Azerbaijan,Christoph Strasser,Council of Europe,Hilal Mammadov,political prisoners,press freedom
The modern Big Brothers
Mike Harris explains how modern authoritarian regimes censor their citizens
Tags: Authoritarian,censorship,China,impunity,Internet censorship,Iran,Michea,press freedom,totalitarian
Northern Ireland: bullet sent to journalist
Bullets were sent to a journalist and politician in Northern Ireland this weekend, as tensions continue to rise over a controversial decision last month to only fly the Union flag over Belfast City Hall on specific days rather than year round. Local police intercepted a letter with a bullet intended for a Belfast-based journalist who had reported on loyalist protests. A bullet and sympathy card addressed to Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Patsy McGlone were also intercepted by Royal Mail over the weekend. Last month a pipe bomb was planted outside of the home of a Northern Ireland press photographer.Nothing to celebrate on second anniversary of Belarus protests
On the second anniversary of the Minsk protests, Index calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus Read more »
