Written by : Aimee Hamilton
China: Chen Xiwo banned book published in English
Chen Xiwo, described as “one of China’s most outspoken voices on freedom of expression for writers” by Asia Sentinel, has spoken about how he challenged the Chinese government’s decision to censor his latest book ahead of its launch in English. Hungary: Rapper and NGOs targeted by state crackdown
Hungarians working with "foreign intelligence" have been labelled "traitors" by the deputy prime minister. The comment follows a spate of cases of government censorship and intimidation over the past year. Aimee Hamilton reports Azerbaijan: Rasul Jafarov appeal
This is the appeal of Azerbaijani political prisoner, Rasul Jafarov. It was sent to Index on Censorship by his brother, Sanan Jafarov. Jafarov has now been detained for 54 days. Article 157 of the Code of Criminal Procedure deals with the restrictive measure of arrest. Article 157.2 states that arrest as a restrictive measure may be chosen […] Some of our favourite banned books
Monday was the beginning of Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read and have access to information. Since the launch of Banned Books Week in 1982, over 11,300 books have been challenged, according to the American Library Association. EU Parliament calls on Azerbaijan to reform human rights
The European Parliament has called on Azerbaijan to release several prominent political prisoners and proceed with reforming the country’s human rights policies. The motion calls for the immediate release of prisoners Leyla and Arif Yunus, Rasul Jafarov, Intigam Aliyev and Hasan Huseynli. It also asks that the government cease its harassment of civil society organisations, […] Azerbaijan: Letter to BP
Azerbaijanis are demanding that BP stop supporting repression in their country on the 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century. A letter has been sent to BP CEO Bob Dudley to coincide with today’s 20 year anniversary. On 20 September 1994 BP signed a contract with then president Heydar Aliyev to extract Azerbaijani oil. This […]Bahrain: Maryam Alkhawaja released
The human rights defender is subject to a travel ban and is due in court again on 1 October. Aimee Hamilton reports Azerbaijan: Protest calls on BP to cut ties with Aliyev regime
This week marks the anniversary of the signing of the Contract of the Century, when BP began its 20 year relationship with the Aliyev family. Aimee Hamilton reports Application filed with ECHR to protect UK investigative journalism from surveillance
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism filed an application on Friday with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg challenging current UK legislation on mass surveillance and its threat to journalism. Aimee Hamilton reports
#FreeMaryam: Protesters deliver message to Foreign Office
Today a protest was held outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office calling for the UK government to condemn the regime in Bahrain and support the release of human rights campaigner Maryam Alkhawaja and her father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who has been in prison in the country since 2011. 
