19 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A Canadian court has placed numerous restrictions on an activist as part of his bail release. Alex Hundert may not speak with any member of the press, nor may he plan, attend, or participate in any public event related to a political issue. He was charged with three counts of conspiracy for involvement in violent activities at the G20 summit in Toronto last June. Hundert was released in July on $100,000 bail with around 20 court-imposed restrictions, including a ban on attending public demonstrations. After being rearrested for participating in a panel discussion at Ryerson University, he was released on 13 October on the condition that he adhere to additional restrictions. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has said the measures are “only aimed at silencing speech“.
12 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
On Friday Bolivian President Evo Morales signed a bill into law which gives the government the ability to shut down or fine newspapers which are racist. This bill was passed amidst protesting last week by media sources, who were concerned the bill could be misused to censor or close media outlets which criticize the government. President Morales has expressed a view that the law is intended to combat racism against the indigenous majority.
The Senate debated the bill for 13 hours before approving it as law. No alterations were made to the text of the bill in light of the protests. The protests have continued since the bill was signed into law, which will go into effect in January 2011.
22 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost
Angry police officers stormed into two radio station offices and attacked two staff members in Ghana’s second largest city on 16 September. Reports suggest the officers intended to attack a panelist, Francis Dodovi, who is a sympathiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress. The policemen claim Dodovi had been discrediting a demonstration staged by these police officers on discrimination charges on 15 September.
21 Sep 2010 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Iran has sentenced a human rights activist, Shiva Nazar Ahari who is the founder of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters in Tehran, to six years in prison on charges of anti-government activities. Her lawyer said she has to pay a $400 fine as an alternative punishment to 74 lashes. n 13 september, Ahari was released from prison on bail of around USD$200,000. She was convicted of moharebeh or “waging war against God” and had received three years for that charge.
