Iranian journalists released on bail in time for New Year

In past month many Iranian journalists and bloggers have been released on bail by authorities before the start of the Iranian New Year. Those currently on bail include Sasan Aghaei, Ali Moazemi, Kivan Farzin, Behrangh Tonkaboni, Arvin Sedaghat Kish, Hamid Mafi, Ehsan Mehrabi, Naimeh Dostar, Bahaman Ahamadi Amoee, Kivan Samimi Behbani and Saide Lylaz. However, several other journalists were denied bail or the right to visit during the festival period, including Masud Lavassani, Mehdi Mahmudian and Emadoldin Baghi. For more information about imprisoned journalists in Iran, please help support the campaign Our Society Will Be A Free Society.

Australian internet censorship plans slammed by US

Plans for a mandatory ISP-level filtering system for internet users in Australia has come under attack from leading business giants such as Google, Yahoo as well as the US government. US State Department spokesperson Michael Tran stated that they have raised their “concerns” over the matter with Australian officials. Critics have commented that if such a programme were to be implemented, it would “put Australia in the same censorship league as China.”

Author arrested in Sri Lanka

Expatriate Sri Lankan author, Sarah Malini Perera, has been arrested in whilst on holiday Sri Lanka for writing two books— From Darkness to Light and Questions and Answers—about her conversion from Buddhism to Islam. Perara, who has lived in Bahrain since 1985, was detained last week after apparently causing offence to the largely Buddhist Sinhalese population of the country. Authorities have declined to comment on the situation.

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