Huge crowds protest Hungary’s new constitution as the country’s political elite celebrates legislation which cements their power. Sándor Orbán reports
Hungary faces squeeze on freedoms
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CATEGORY: News and features
Turkish crackdown on Kurdish journalists
As over 40 people, many of them journalists, are detained on terrorism charges across Turkey, Kaya Genç examines the latest attempt to silence the Kurdish press
“My brother is dying in silence”
One year on from the crackdown on the opposition in Belarus, Irina Bogdanova, sister of political prisoner Andrei Sannikov, calls for international action against Europe’s last dictatorship
Pyongyang unwrapped
Technology has revolutionised reporting on North Korea. David McNeill reveals how a clandestine network is getting the word out despite restrictions
Goodbye Havel
As the Czech Republic and the wider world bids Václav Havel goodbye, Pavel Theiner, whose father George worked tirelessly to shine a light on the work of Czech dissidents throughout his editorship at Index on Censorship, looks back on a remarkable man
An artists’ manifesto for Belarus
In one of his last public acts, dissident, playwright and president Václav Havel signed this statement calling for free speech in Belarus, along with Ai Weiwei, Sir Tom Stoppard and many more
Václav Havel dies: How Samuel Beckett and Havel changed history
Václav Havel, dissident, playwright, first president of the Czech Republic, and author of Charter 77 died today.
Samuel Beckett wrote a play for Václav Havel when he was in jail. On being freed, Havel returned the favour. Jo Glanville reflects on a great dramatic double-act
Hungary: airbrushing row highlights media law failings
Activists are on hunger strike to protest against manipulation of TV images.
Thomas Escritt reports
PLUS: Read Mike Harris on “Hungary – How Not To Regulate The Press“
Russia urges Putin to step down
Elena Vlasenko reports from Saturday’s momentous Moscow protest
Belarus: European ministers meet activists
UK’s Europe Minister David Liddington visits Human Rights House Viasna alongside Index on Censorship; Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore emphasizes NGO involvement
Plus: Conference urges ministers to “suspend Belarus from the OSCE”