10 Feb 2010 | Events
The 10th annual Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards ceremony, hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby at Royal Institute of British Architects on 25 March 2010. This year’s event promises to be the most important in the history of the awards, given the greatly increased profile that Index on Censorship is now enjoying in the UK and beyond.
The event, which is also Index on Censorship’s major fundraising drive, will honour the courage and efforts of people all over the world who campaign for freedom of expression even in the most hostile environments. We will also celebrate Index’s achievements over the past year, including our high profile campaign to change England’s libel laws. With appearances from top comedians and leading commentators, the evening will be both inspiring and entertaining.
At past events there have been poignant moments. Last year, the new media award was won by Psiphon, a revolutionary software programme that allows Internet access in countries where censorship is imposed. At the ceremony, Psiphon dedicated their award to imprisoned Iranian blogger Hossein Derakshan, who still languishes in jail.
Please join our efforts by purchasing whatever you feel able to: a table for ten friends or associates at £1200, half a table for five at £650, or a pair of tickets at £150 each. Whilst the future of freedom of expression globally is so uncertain, we really do rely on the generosity of individuals to keep our campaigns and world class magazine going. Please email [email protected] or call 020 7324 2522 for more information.
9 Feb 2010 | Index Index, minipost
Luiz Claudio Cunha, journalist and author of the book “Operation Condor: The kidnapping of the Uruguayans”, is facing charges for “moral harm” against João Augusto da Rosa, former member of the secret police during the Brazilian dictatorship. According to the officer, who was convicted in 1980, the book failed to mention that he was acquitted in 1983 for “lack of evidence”. The book has won several awards in Brazil and received a mention in the awards “Casa de las Americas 2010”, failed in Havana last week.
9 Feb 2010 | Index Index
A court in Myanmar is scheduled to announce a verdict on imprisoned dissident Nyi Nyi Aung (Kyaw Zaw Lwin) on Wednesday. Aung spent years campaigning for Burmese democracy in exile before obtaining American citizenship. Upon a return visit, he was imprisoned and is charged with forgery, possession of undeclared foreign currency and failure to renounce his Myanmar citizenship. In December, 53 members of Congress sent a letter to Myanmar’s leader, Than Shwe, seeking Aung’s immediate release and calling his detention and trial “inconsistent with both Burmese and international law.”
Aung could face 12 years in prison. “Activists are frustrated by the lack of noise from the U.S. government when he is a U.S. citizen,” said Elaine Pearson, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
9 Feb 2010 | Digital Freedom, Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, Uncategorized
The Iranian authorities have launched a new webmail service intended to be a substitute for public employees currently using Gmail, Yahoo mail or Hotmail accounts. The new Iran.ir webmail service is easier to control than the foreign services currently used by 95% of Iranian public sector employees. Internet and text-messaging services in Iran has recently been the victim of the government’s crackdown on free speech in the country. Both services will experience disruptions this week as heavy protests are anticipated on the anniversary of the Islamic revolution on 11 February. The authorities claim the disruptions are due to damages to the fibre-optic cables and ‘changing software’.
