Tag: Freedom of Expression / Information / Speech
Protests ‘degrading security’
High-ranking government officials expounded on the detrimental effect political and labour demonstrations are having on Cambodia’s security during an annual meeting of police officials yesterday.
In a speech to about 500 police in leadership positions, Interior Minister Sar Kheng said demonstrations, which have exploded since July’s national election, are breeding...
Thailand: Four killed in Bangkok clashes as political turmoil continues
Bangkok, Paris, 18 February, 2014 - FIDH and its member organization Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) express their extreme sorrow at the loss of life during the latest clashes between police and anti-government protestors in Bangkok today.
On February 18, four people, including one police officer, were fatally wounded and...
Rights Group Launches Petition for Release of 21 Demonstrators
WASHINGTON DC — The Asian Human Rights Commission has launched an online petition to pressure the Cambodian government to release 21 union activists and workers charged in connection with labor protests last month.
Twenty-three workers were arrested in a violent crackdown by government police and security forces early January, when...
IGP’s threat on use of anti-terror law is uncalled for, says human rights coalition
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) issued a "totally uncalled for" threat for warning that an anti-terrorism law would be used against people commenting on racial religious issues, said a human rights group.
The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the UPR Process (Comango) said freedom of expression was recognised under the...
Online libel to be used vs PNoy’s foes, critics
MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Karapatan on Wednesday said the internet libel provision in the Cybercrime Law will most likely be used by the Aquino administration against its critics and political foes.
"The libel provision in the cybercrime law will most likely be used against those who criticize President (Benigno)...
Vietnamese Court Upholds Dissident Quan’s Jail Sentence
A court in Vietnam on Tuesday rejected an appeal by jailed prominent government critic Le Quoc Quan against his conviction on tax evasion charges, upholding a 30-month prison sentence despite claims that the case was politically motivated.
Hundreds of his supporters demonstrated outside the Hanoi People’s Court of Appeals, in...
Comango: ‘Uncalled for’ to threaten anti-terror law against free speech
PETALING JAYA, Feb 19 — The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) made an “uncalled for” threat when he warned that a law designed to tackle terrorism would be used on those commenting on racial and religious matters, said a group critical of the move today.
According to the Coalition of Malaysian...
UN human rights envoy says sectarian violence may jeopardize Myanmar’s democratic reforms
YANGON, Myanmar — The U.N special investigator on human rights in Myanmar warned Wednesday that sectarian violence could jeopardize the country's democratic reforms if it is not addressed urgently. Tomas Ojea Quintana said the government's investigation of recent violence between Buddhists and Muslims in northern Rakhine state failed to...
PEN Myanmar condemns banning writers from public events
PEN Myanmar released a statement on Monday denouncing the banning of authors from speaking at literary events in Yangon, Mandalay, Paungde and Pyawbwe as restrictions on freedom of expression.
Some local authorities have used various methods to restrict the literary talks, banning non-Buddhist authors and other writers because of either...
Philippines has world’s third most killings of journalists
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines had the third most number of journalists killed last year and has continued to be among the countries where press freedom is imperiled, according to two international media watchdogs.
In its "Killing the Messenger" report released Tuesday, the London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI)...