Mexico: The State of Veracruz Decriminalises Defamation

ARTICLE 19 welcomes the bill to decriminalise defamation in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The approval of the bill on 22 July by the local Congress, actively promoted by ARTICLE 19, significantly advances efforts to persuade the Mexican Government to fully decriminalise defamation nationwide, in accordance with Human Rights Committee’s observations.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Venezuela: Government Cracks Down on Critics

Venezuelan authorities are clamping down on dissident voices, particularly journalists and civil society representatives operating in the country. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with international funding have come under intense scrutiny from Public Prosecutors and the government has recently acquired a stake in.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

1. ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression is a non-governmental human rights organisation that works globally to promote and protect freedom of expression and information. ARTICLE 19 was founded in 1987 and has observer status with ECOSOC. 2. Freedom Forum is an independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit civil society organization working for the causes of democracy, protection and promotion of human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression and right to information in Nepal.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA ARTICLE 19’s Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression (ARTICLE 19) is an international, non-governmental human rights organisation established in 1986 that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression and information, including by making submissions to the UN on countries’ performance in implementing established freedom of expression standards. ARTICLE 19 has observer status with ECOSOC.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Guatemala: Office Break-Ins Part of Wider Problem

On 20 May, a group of unidentified men entered the Civitas Centre office, stealing equipment and financial information. A day earlier, on 19 May a similar group robbed the offices of Mothers in Distress, Pro-Justice Movement, Public Security Support and Monitoring Centre, and the Institute for Social Protection (IPI). In both robberies, the intruders entered the building without triggering alarms, leading to allegations that they are trained professionals.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Demonstration to Call for Release of Eynulla Fatullayev

Azerbaijani newspaper editor Eynulla Fatullayev, 33, is serving an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence based on trumped up charges of terrorism and defamation. He was jailed in April 2007 after writing a series of articles critical of the authorities. On 22 April 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that he had been wrongfully imprisoned and called for his immediate release.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Burundi: Human Rights Defender Expelled in Run Up to Election

Neela Ghoshal wrote a report titled: “We’ll Tie You Up and Shoot You” published by Human Rights Watch just days before being informed of her expulsion. The report addresses the lack of accountability for political violence in Burundi. Ghoshal has been ordered to leave by 5 June.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Uganda: ARTICLE 19 Urges Government to Change Approach to Regulation of Print Media and Journalism

ARTICLE 19 today releases its analysis of the proposed Press and Journalist (Amendment) Bill 2010, and the Press and Journalist Act 1995, which the Ugandan government seeks to amend. ARTICLE 19 recommends that the Ugandan government repeal the whole Press and Journalist Act rather than amend it and adopt a fundamentally different approach to the regulation of print media and journalism that respects the government’s international obligations on freedom of expression.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Kenya/Ethiopia: ARTICLE 19 Building Capacity of Legal Professionals from Ethiopia and Kenya on Media Law

ARTICLE 19 has delivered a training workshop in Kenya on media law and freedom of expression for 30 lawyers, judges, prosecutors and state officials from Ethiopia and Kenya. This is especially relevant at a time when increasingly restrictive laws are being passed in Ethiopia to control civil society organisations and there are concerns about the Ethiopian Government’s commitment to freedom of expression in the country.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.

Honduras: Another Two Journalists Killed as Crackdown on Free Expression Intensifies

ARTICLE 19 expresses its deep concern at the recent killings of two more journalists – José Bayardo Mairena Ramírez and Manuel Juárez – on 27 March in the northern territory of Honduras. This brings the total number of journalists killed in similar circumstances in Honduras to five.

By Article 19, UK.

Human rights Policy Resource.