Sudan: Journalist jailed for reporting rape case

July 26th, 2011

The Khartoum government’s crackdown on free expression continues. Abdelgadir Mohammed Abdelgadir reports

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Mexican authorities reopen investigation into Oaxaca deaths

March 14th, 2011

Mexican prosecutors have decided to reopen the investigation into 21 deaths during protests against the Oaxaca state government in 2006. Amongst the dead was the American independent journalist Bradley Will, who was killed whilst filming a clash between the protesters. The only suspect was released in 2010 because there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

Brazilian police recapture journalist’s killer

March 11th, 2011

Sao Paolo police have recaptured Wilson de Moraes da Silva, who was convicted of the murder of journalist Ivandel Godinho Junior. The reporter was kidnapped in 2003, and killed three days later. Silva had served three years of his 36 year sentence when he was transferred to a prison with restricted release privileges. He failed to return to the prison after his release for Father’s Day in 2008.

Belarusian dissident jailed for four years

February 18th, 2011

Belarusian dissident Vasily Parfenkov has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment following his hearing on Thursday. He was convicted of breaking the window of a parliamentary building during protests against President Lukashenko’s re-election on 19 December. He will also have to pay pay 14m roubles ($4,700) in compensation for damage to state property. Parfenkov is an active supporter of opposition candidate Vladimir Neklyayev. A solidarity rally in support of Belarus’s political prisoners is being held at the Belarusian Embassy in London on Saturday 19 February.

Belarus “show trials” begin

February 17th, 2011

Thursday 17 February saw the beginning of the hearing against Vasil Parkiankou. The trial, which is being held in Minsk, has been described by an opposition activist as a mere “show trial”. Parkiankou is accused of smashing the windows of a government building in the course of a demonstration in December. This is a “public order offence”. He was protesting against vote rigging in the presidential election. Human rights organisation Viasna have said that more than 40 opposition members will be tried. They face up to 15 years of imprisonment. This Saturday there will be a solidarity protest outside the Belarusian Embassy in London.

Turkish court refuses to release journalist

February 17th, 2011

The Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court rejected a bid to release journalist Suzan Zengin in a hearing on Tuesday. She writes for the Worker Peasant newspaper (İşçi Köylü). Charged with “membership of an illegal organisation”, she faces up to 15 years in prison. Her next hearing will take place on 14 June, by which stage she will have been detained for almost two years. Meanwhile, a person known only as K.B. has been arrested for plotting to assassinate Turkish journalist Mehmet Metiner, who believes he was targeted because he adheres to AKP policies.

Hungary’s leading daily newspaper challenges media law

February 10th, 2011

Hungary’s largest circulation daily newspaper, Nepszabadsag, is challenging the controversial new media law in the country’s Constitutional Court. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief has brought complaints about 16 areas of the law which, the paper alleges, limit press freedom and freedom of opinion. The new regulations, introduced on 21 December 2010, allow the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) to impose substantial fines on TV and radio stations. Freedom House has described the legislation as a “major setback for press freedom in Hungary“.

Journalists in Zimbabwe win government court case

June 8th, 2009

Four Harare based journalists on Friday won an historic court case against the government after they challenged the legal status of the Media and Information Commission. Read more here