Tag: Freedom of Expression / Information / Speech
Thailand: Free Somyot, expedite his appeal trial
hailand’s Supreme Court must immediately release on bail human rights defender Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk and expedite his appeal trial, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, an FIDH-OMCT joint program, said today.
Paris-Geneva, April 30, 2015 - Thailand’s Supreme Court must immediately release on bail human rights defender Somyot...
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom places Vietnam on blacklist for violations of freedom of religion or belief
In its 2015 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom issued today, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) placed Vietnam on a list of 17 countries, recommending that they be designated as “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the US administration for “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations” of...
Thailand: Drop Charges Against Phuket Journalists
The Phuketwan journalists are among the few who are still regularly reporting on the pervasive human trafficking of Rohingya in Thailand. Thailand’s efforts to show progress in tackling human trafficking are seriously damaged by this shoot-the-messenger action against journalists exposing abuses.
Brad Adams, Asia director
Prosecution Harms Anti-Human-Trafficking Efforts
April 16, 2015
(New...
Global rights body to release report on Malaysian clampdown in time for Asean summit
Global human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) plans to release a report on Putrajaya's clampdown on freedom of expression just before world leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur for the 27th Asean summit in November.
BY JENNIFER GOMEZ | Published: 10 April 2015 7:00 AM
Research for the report, "Criminalising freedom...
Defending our rights online
THE widespread use of the Internet and social media has done much to promote personal and political freedoms, but our most basic human rights are also at risk as governments move to curtail what we can say online and work to put every aspect of our digital lives under...
Zunar: Malaysian cartoonist charged with sedition over drawings criticising government
A Malaysian cartoonist known for his satirical take on the nation’s coalition government has been charged with nine counts of sedition today, for posting tweets criticising the judiciary.
Kashmira Gander | Friday 03 April 2015
A Malaysian cartoonist known for his satirical take on the nation’s coalition government has been charged...
Malaysia proposes anti-terror laws
The Malaysian government on Monday proposed two laws that would reintroduce indefinite detention without trial and allow the seizure of passports of anyone suspected of supporting acts of terror. While the government hopes to curb Islamic militant activities, critics say the laws could restrict civil liberties
Tuesday 31 March...
Malaysia arrests three news editors for sedition: police
Police have arrested three editors from a Malaysian news portal and charged them with sedition, their lawyers and authorities said on Tuesday, over a news report on discussions about punishments meted out under Islamic law.
Reuters News | Mar 31, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Police have arrested three editors from...
Media restrictions in Papua underscore Indonesia’s wider problems
With more than 50 years of restricted media access, one of the least covered armed conflicts in the world is the long-simmering struggle between Indonesia's military and the secessionist Free Papua Movement. Under Indonesia's seven successive post-independence governments--the early ones led by autocratic strongmen, the recent ones more or...
Space for dissent and debate rapidly shrinking
A human rights black hole is developing in Malaysia, where the freedoms to speak and assemble are severely restricted.
By Shamini Darshni | April 1, 2015
The escalating “sedition” clampdown on the political opposition and activists in Malaysia points to an expanding human rights black hole.
The space for dissent and debate...
