Press Freedom

Cuba: Raúl Castro Imprisons Critics, Crushes Dissent

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:17:21 -0800

(Washington, DC) - Raúl Castro's government has locked up scores of people for exercising their fundamental freedoms and allowed scores more political prisoners arrested during Fidel Castro's rule to languish in detention, Human Rights Watch says in a report released today.

Iran: Four Journalists Receive Hellman/Hammett Grants

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:18:49 -0800

(New York) - Four Iranians are among 37 writers from 18 countries who are receiving the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award, Human Rights Watch said today.

The award recognizes their commitment to free expression and the courage with which they have faced political persecution.

Cuba: Prominent Blogger Abducted, Beaten

Human Rights Watch — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:20:51 -0800

(Washington, DC) – Cuban authorities should cease all attacks on human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and civic activists, Human Rights Watch said today. The international community should condemn attacks on those who peacefully exercise their basic rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and assembly in the strongest terms.

Honduras: Investigate Abuses, Repeal Repressive Measures

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:39:07 -0700

(Washington, DC) - The restoration of constitutional order in Honduras should be accompanied by the immediate repeal of repressive decrees issued by the de facto government, and a full investigation of abuses committed in the aftermath of the coup, Human Rights Watch said today.

Libya: Drop Charges against Journalist

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:49:56 -0700

(New York) - The Libyan government should investigate allegations of sexual harassment in a state-run residence for women who had been orphaned instead of charging the journalist who reported the story with criminal defamation, Human Rights Watch said today.

Tunisia: Elections in an Atmosphere of Repression

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:53:53 -0700

(New York) - Repressive acts and tight controls on the election process have tainted the prospects for free and fair presidential and legislative elections in Tunisia on October 25, 2009, Human Rights Watch said today.

What an Olympic Glow can't Mask

Minky Worden — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:45:19 -0700

(Copenhagen) - Corks popped this month in Copenhagen, with Rio de Janeiro voted as host city for the 2016 Summer Games and the convening of the XIII Olympic Congress, the first since 1994. Meanwhile, in a dark cell in Fuzhou, a coastal city on the East China Sea, Ji Sizun has no cause to celebrate.

Banned, Censored, Harassed, and Jailed

Human Rights Watch — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:07:22 -0700

(New York) - Human Rights Watch announced today that 37 writers from 19 countries have received the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award in recognition of their commitment to free expression and their courage in the face of political persecution.

China: Media Summit Participants Should Push For Press Freedom

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:53:01 -0700

(New York) - Participants at the World Media Summit, to be held in Beijing on October 8-10, should use the opportunity to urge the Chinese government to respect press freedom and stop its routine harassment, detention, and intimidation of journalists,

Sudan: End Rights Abuses, Repression

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:01:00 -0700