2 Mar 2012 | Azerbaijan News, Europe and Central Asia, Index Index, minipost
At least two journalists have been injured whilst covering violent clashes between police and residents in Azerbaijan. During protests calling for the resignation of a local government, Index awards nominee Idrak Abbasov, from the Institute for War & Peace suffered an arm injury as stones were thrown at him, whilst Rashid Aliyev, a reporter for the Internet-based Objektiv-TV was hit in the back of the head. During the protests, demonstrators set fire to government buildings and the governor’s house. Five other journalists reportedly suffered the effects of tear gas, after authorities sent riot police to quell the protesters.
Abbasov said: “Me and my colleague Rashad Aliyev were at the center of the developments. I was taking photographs and Rashad was filming. I couldn’t see who threw stones at me, as I was holding the camera in front of my eyes to photograph the developments. A stone hit my left arm and smashed it. But Rashad was more unlucky. A stone hit his head and he received a serious injury to his ear.”
16 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Bahraini activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja collapsed last night while on hunger strike. Alkhawaja, who went on hunger strike ahead of the February 14 anniversary of mass protests in Bahrain, was taken to the hospital where he was given IV treatment without his consent. The activist’s lawyer reported Alkhawaja showed serious signs of fatigue and had difficulty moving and walking. His daughter, Zainab, continues to be detained and his younger brother, Salah Alkhawaja, who is also imprisoned has joined the hunger strike.
16 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
The Syrian government has ordered text messages containing politically sensitive words to be blocked. Sources familiar with the country’s filtering system say that Irish technology is being used to prevent the delivery of text messages including words such as ” revolution” or “demonstration”. The country’s largest mobile phone company Syriatel Mobile Telecom SA have allegedly used blocking equipment from Cellusys Ltd, a privately-held company based in Dublin. Since public unrest in Syria erupted last year, text messages have been a crucial tool for protesters.
14 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa
Prominent human rights activist and president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab, was reportedly detained today while attempting to reach Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama. Jihan Kazerooni of BCHR told Index that Rajab is currently being held at Hoora police station. Kazerooni said that two other activists, Naji Fateel of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and Hassan Jaber were also detained by authorities.
