CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia

Victory for protest

Victory for protest

Mark Thomas led an inspired campaign against the UK government's restrictions on the right to protest. He says good riddance …And so farewell then to the anti-protest laws, repealed with a musty splutter from Jack Straw in Parliament last week....

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Judgement on Malik Production Order delayed

The verdict on whether a police Production Order should be served on journalist Shiv Malik will not be revealed until next Monday, Index has learned. Malik, author of Leaving Al-Qaeda, an account of the extremist activities of former Islamist...

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Anti-terror police demand author’s notes

Journalist Shiv Malik is appearing in court this morning after Greater Manchester Police requested a Production Order for materials relating to his forthcoming book, Leaving Al-Qaeda. Malik, who is co-writing the book with former Islamist Hassan...

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PAST EVENT: Freedom of Expression Awards 2008: the nominees

The shortlists for the 2008 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards have been finalised. The awards will be presented on 21 April in London

The T R Fyvel Book Award

The Loser by Fatos Kongoli, Seren.
Holy Warriors: A journey into the Heart of Indian Fundamentalism by Edna Fernandes, Portobello
The Art of Political Murder: Who killed Bishop Gerardi? by Francisco Goldman, Atlantic Books
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, Penguin

The Guardian Journalism Award

Arat Dink (Turkey)
Huang Liangtian (China)
Iqbal Athas (Sri Lanka)
Manana Aslamazyan (Russian Federation)

The Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award

Lydia Cacho (Mexico)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (Pakistan)
U Gambira (Burma)
Yetaai Vs China Telecom (China)

The Economist New Media Award

AJ Naklasila/Channel 4 New Media / Truevision (UK)
Ethio Zagol (Ethiopia)
Wikileaks (International / US)
Iran Proxy (Iran)

The Index Film Award

Battle For Haditha Dir: Nick Broomfield, 93 minutes, UK (2007)
Ahlam (Dreams) Iraq (2006), 110 Minute Running Time, Language: Arabic, English Sub-Titles
Black Gold Dir: Nick Francis and Marc Francis, Running Time: 78 minutes,
12.08 East of Bucharest (A Fost sau n-a fost?) Dir: Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, 2006 / 89 Mins / In Romanian with English Subtitles

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Beware of the bishops

Beware of the bishops

The repeal of the blasphemy laws could be a Pyrrhic victory if other laws are used to provide greater protection for religion, writes Padraig Reidy Secularist groups greeted the first step in the repeal of the blasphemy laws with delight last week....

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Legislating in Haste

Legislating in Haste

Proponents of a ban on 'extreme pornography' are looking increasingly desperate in their attempts to push their plan through Parliament, writes Julian Petley Faced with a rising tide of opposition in the Lords, the government dropped yet more parts...

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Courting confusion

Courting confusion

Judges, lawyers and journalists all need to be clearer  on guidelines for reporting restrictions, writes Gill Phillips Twelve years ago Lord Justice Staughton reminded us that “The Latin maxim that justice must be done though the heavens fall...

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Azerbaijan: Journalist beaten

Agil Khalilov, a reporter for the Azerbaijani daily paper Azadlig, was beaten whilst filming an illegal land sale. The perpetrators of the attack --- allegedly including a local government representative and ministry official --- beat Khalilov...

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Serbia: broadcaster threatened

Independent Serbian broadcaster B92 has received emails and messages of death treats through its website forum. A video posted on YouTube portrayed two B92 presenters being shot dead. The perpetrators accused the radio station of being unpatriotic...

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Reporters sentenced to hard labour

A court in Baku, Azerbijan, has sentenced two journalists to hard labour following their conviction for libel. The charges related to articles they published in 2007 regarding alleged corruption in government circles. Avaz Zeynalli, the editor of...

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