26 March 2019: The Formula One Group should support the safeguarding of human rights in Bahrain

January 4, 2021 • • disabled comments

NGOs around the world call on the Formula One Group to safeguard human rights in Bahrain during race events.

We, the undersigned human rights organizations, write to you in advance of the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix race in Bahrain, scheduled for 29-31 March, to raise concerns regarding the worsening human rights situation in the country and the specific human rights risks associated with the event.

We call on the Formula One Group to take concrete measures to safeguard human rights in Bahrain during the race, in accordance with its own “Statement of Commitment to Respect for Human Rights,” including instating a freedom complaints mechanism.

Bahrain’s human rights situation has continued to deteriorate over the years, and we have seen a trend of increased repression by the authorities in the lead up to, and during, Bahrain’s Grand Prix – notably the targeting and suppression of free expression in the context of the race. We are deeply concerned that the Bahrain Grand Prix has continued to take place in an environment of oppression, human rights violations, and constricted freedom of expression.

Targeting journalists for their coverage of protests surrounding the race has become commonplace. In 2012, 22-year-old videographer and journalist Ahmed Ismail Hassan was fatally shot by Bahraini security forces while covering protests around the Grand Prix. Witnesses stated that he was targeted because authorities saw his video equipment. In the seven years since, no one has been held accountable for his death.

In March 2016, Bahraini authorities refused to renew journalist Nazeeha Saeed‘s press credentials with foreign media outlets, seemingly as retribution for her previous coverage of police brutality during protests. She was then taken to court and fined for “working without a license.”

Additionally, journalists traveling to Bahrain for the 2017 Grand Prix were required to sign a form that stated they would only cover the Grand Prix or risk losing their visa – a strategy that has effectively muted coverage of protests and freedom of the press, while simultaneously bolstering Bahrain’s reputation, thereby providing cover for abuses to continue unabated.

Other instances of human rights abuses occurred during the Grand Prix in April 2017, including the use of tear gas against protesters. Bahraini activist, Najah Yusuf, was arrested following her online criticism of Bahrain’s Grand Prix, and has been subjected to arbitrary detention and torture. She was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in June 2018.

In 2012, 36-year-old father of five, Salah Abbas, was shot dead by Bahraini authorities after taking part in a peaceful demonstration on the eve of the Grand Prix. Protesters were concerned with the Bahraini government’s use of the race to deflect attention from broader issues in the country, especially following the violent government crackdown on Bahrain’s 2011 popular pro-democracy movement.

The 2016 Grand Prix was marked by the death of 17-year-old Ali Abdulghani, critically injured during his arrest in Shahrakan village, located within three miles of the Bahrain International Circuit. He was arrested in relation to his involvement in protests, and died on 4 April 2016, a day after the Grand Prix concluded. Witnesses state he was hit by a police vehicle and no credible investigation was ever carried out.

Authoritarian states use sports to raise their profile. Sporting bodies, including The Formula One Group, have a responsibility to protect and uphold human rights, including the right to free expression. The potential impact of interventions was recently demonstrated when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) successfully called for the release of imprisoned footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who had been held in a Bangkok prison awaiting extradition to Bahrain and risk of torture and death.

In addition, major sporting organizations, including the IOC and FIFA, have instated freedom complaints mechanisms which enable individuals, particularly journalists and human rights defenders, to report human rights and press freedom violations.

We call on the Formula One Group to follow in the footsteps of the IOC and FIFA and implement a similar freedom complaints mechanism as a concrete demonstration of its own “Statement of Commitment to Respect for Human Rights,” in which it pledges to understand and monitor the potential human rights impacts of its activities, to identify and assess any actual or potential adverse human rights impacts, and to consider practical responses to any issues raised.

A freedom complaints mechanism through the Formula One Group would be a step in the right direction to address human rights abuses surrounding the Grand Prix in countries like Bahrain, and would help to protect the fundamental right to free expression.

Signatories
Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI)
ARTICLE 19
Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE)
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Freedom Forum
Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)
Initiative for Freedom of Expression – Turkey
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Media Watch
Mediacentar Sarajevo
Pakistan Press Foundation
PEN America
PEN Canada
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)
Bahrain Interfaith
Bahrain Press Association (BPA)
Salam for Democracy and Human Rights

https://ifex.org/the-formula-one-group-should-support-the-safeguarding-of-human-rights-in-bahrain/

4 April 2019: International joint reaction Slovakia

January 4, 2021 • • disabled comments

After lawyer and civil rights activist Zuzana Čaputová was elected as Slovakia’s first female president on 30 March 2019, EFJ and several freedom of expression organisations joined the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) to send her a letter, drawing attention to the press and media freedom situation in the country.

To: Ms Zuzana Čaputová
2 April 2019
Dear President-elect Čaputová,
Congratulations for winning the presidential election in Slovakia on 30 March 2019. Your victory marks a strong demand of the Slovak people for change, for true democracy under the rule of law – one year after Ján Kuciak and his partner were murdered in your country.
Ján Kuciak often reported about corruption in Slovakia, including cases that involve the government. We believe corruption is one of the greatest enemies of press freedom, around the world and within the EU. We therefore support your fight against it.
We are confident, now that business owner Marian Kočner was charged with murder and the deputy general prosecutor resigned over his contact with him, that there will be no impunity in the Ján Kuciak murder case. This is an important sign for all other journalists, especially investigative reporters.
We welcome the initiative by the European Parliament, with the resolution adopted last week, to deplore shortcomings in the rule of law in EU member states, especially in Slovakia and Malta. This is an important reaction in these times of rising threats against journalists throughout Europe.
We are still concerned and ask for your support about two recent developments:
Robert Fico, former Prime Minister and chairman of the ruling Smer party, just recently renewed his attacksagainst the media and journalists by insulting and denigrating them. These allegations contribute to a toxic atmosphere for journalists amongst the public, which can easily cross international borders.
Likewise, the attempts to amend the Press Law 2008 by introducing a “right of reply” are a serious threat to press and media freedom. The proposal to oblige media to publish politicians’ replies to critical coverage is unnecessary, unacceptable and not in line with best European standards. It bears a high risk of massive political interference, which would lead to increased self-censorship in the media in Slovakia. We call on the parliament not to pass the amendment. The European media freedom community – and also the Slovak Press Publishers Association and more than 400 journalists who signed a petition, oppose it. We politely remind you that your predecessor President Andrej Kiska stated at the European Press Freedom conference in Bratislava on 5 March 2019 that if such a law were passed during his presidency, he would refuse to sign it.
We, the undersigned organisations, call on you to use your veto power against the proposed amendments to the Press Law, to uphold the European Charter on Freedom of the Press and do everything in your power to improve the safety of journalists in Slovakia.
We are happy to support you with our research and our international networks.
Yours sincerely,

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Article 19
Articolo 21 (Italy)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
Ossigeno per l’Informazione (Italy)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

3 May 2019: World Press Freedom Day should bring freedom for Musa Kart and his Cumhuriyet colleagues

January 4, 2021 • • disabled comments

IFEX members join the Cartoonist Rights Network International in calling for freedom for Musa Kart, recently reimprisoned with 5 colleagues from Turkish dailey Cumhuriyet.

IFEX member organisation Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) is greatly saddened to report that the internationally acclaimed cartoonist Musa Kart is again a prisoner this World Press Freedom Day.

In November 2016 Musa Kart was one of a number of staff from the Cumhuriyet newspaper arrested without charge. He and his colleagues’ subsequent months in Silivri prison would be described as unlawful by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, “being in contravention of articles 10, 11 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of articles 14, 15 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”.

In April 2017 he was formally indicted with “helping an armed terrorist organization while not being a member” and “abusing trust”, prosecutors stipulating a maximum sentence of twenty-nine years. His trial began in July 2017. His funny, excoriating opening statement is worth reading in full.

After twelve months of court proceedings (arduous litigation being a well-worn censorious tactic) Kart was eventually found guilty and sentenced to three years and nine months. The appeals lodged on behalf of all those who received shorter sentences during the Cumhuriyet trials failed in February this year. Kart was informed he would be required to go to prison for one year and sixteen days.

On April 25th he and five colleagues – board members Önder Çelik and M.Kemal Güngör, news director Hakan Kara, columnist Güray Öz and financial officer Emre İper – decided to hand themselves in at Kandıra prison, a typically dignified and brave gesture.

Musa’s ultimate incarceration represents the culmination of fifteen years of persecution by then prime minister, now President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who twice tried and twice failed to use court action to silence the cartoonist in 2005 and 2014.

As those who have followed recent history in Turkey will be aware, the attempted coup of July 2016 and the subsequent state of emergency provided Erdoğan the pretext required to round up many of his perceived enemies in academia, local government, the military and press & media. His victory in the April 2017 referendum, granting the president greater powers, and subsequent re-election in 2018 have only entrenched his position. In survey after survey Turkey remains the world’s number one jailer of journalists.

Kart is a past winner of CRNI’s Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award, was given the Cartooning For Peace Swiss Foundation’s Prix International du Dessin de Presse last year and is currently the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the Maison du Dessin de Presse, Morges. He formally retired from cartooning in December 2017.

The undersigned organizations join CRNI in calling for the immediate release of Musa Kart and his five courageous colleagues and the dismissal of all charges against the criminalised former staff of Cumhuriyet. This World Press Freedom Day we express our solidarity with all those suffering in the protracted and unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey, and call for its end.

Signatories
Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
ARTICLE 19
Bytes for All (B4A)
Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI)
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Child Rights International Network (CRIN)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Free Media Movement
Index on Censorship
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
International Press Institute (IPI)
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Media Watch
PEN Norway
PEN America
PEN Canada
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation
South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
Articolo 21
Civic Spaces Studies Association – Turkey
Danish PEN
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom
German PEN
Global Editors Network
Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa
Swedish PEN

https://ifex.org/world-press-freedom-day-should-bring-freedom-for-musa-kart-and-his-cumhuriyet-colleagues/

2 July 2019: Moldovan authorities need to act as the safety of journalists is threatened

January 4, 2021 • • disabled comments

In the last month, the number of cases of assaults against journalists in the Republic of Moldova has been staggering and follows a troubling trend of harassment in recent years

Media and free expression NGOs around the globe condemn the assaults, intimidations and violent actions taken against at least 16 journalists during the protests and surrounding events of 7-9 June 2019 organized at Chisinau by the Democratic Party of Moldova. Over the three-day period, several media outlets published video materials broadcasting assaults against their reporters while they were in the field to document the events and inform citizens.

In one example, TV 8 reporter, Sergiu Niculita, and a cameraman were assaulted, their camera obstructed, and their microphone struck; a protester also extinguished a cigarette on the microphone sponge and damaged it. Another reporter from UNIMEDIA was assaulted and intimidated by the bodyguard of top democratic leaders, and members of the State Protection and Guarding Service when she attempted to ask the leaders of the Democratic Party questions. These are two examples of several attacks that took place during the aforementioned timeframe. Following these incidents, both Reporters without Borders and the OSCE Media Freedom Representative issued condemnations and called for action.

These intimidation tactics are part of a broader trend of harassment towards journalists over the last two years. As noted in the Independent Journalist Center (IJC)’s 2018, Moldovan Press Status Index, verbal assaults and threats against journalists continue to increase around the country, often met with a weak response, or complete lack thereof, from law enforcement bodies (pg. 50).

Our position on such attacks is unequivocal: We strongly condemn any form of verbal assault or violence against journalists.

We remind those involved that any violent behaviour against the media is a serious breach of the rights of journalists enshrined in Moldovan law. Article 20 of Moldova’s Law on Press states that journalists are guaranteed the freedom to receive and share information through media, to make audiovisual recordings, to take pictures, and to attend rallies, demonstrations and all other kind of public manifestations.

According to Article 180 of the Criminal Code, intimidation of the media or journalists in can be subject to criminal liability. The State also guarantees the defense of honor and dignity of a journalist and protects his or her health, life and property through Article 20(3) of the Law on Press.

We, the undersigned, therefore urge the international community, including international press outlets, local embassies in the Republic of Moldova, and relevant international institutions to take note of the cases attached below, and call on them to demand that authorities ensure the safety and security of journalists in the country, while investigating instances of aggression towards them.

Signatories:
ActiveWatch – Media Monitoring Agency
Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
ARTICLE 19
Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI)
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Free Media Movement
Independent Journalism Center (IJC)
Index on Censorship
Initiative for Freedom of Expression – Turkey
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Mediacentar Sarajevo
Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
Pakistan Press Foundation
PEN America
PEN International
Public Association “Journalists”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation
South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State

https://ifex.org/moldovan-authorities-need-to-act-as-the-safety-of-journalists-is-threatened/

9 July 2019: Turkish think-tank report escalates harassment of journalists

January 4, 2021 • • disabled comments

A pro-government think-tank’s report accuses leading international media of being biased against the government and singles out their correspondents for attack. Human rights organisations deplore the report’s malicious use of the political files kept on the targeted journalists with the sole aim of intimidating them.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 20 other human rights and freedom of expression organisations condemn a Turkish pro-government think-tank’s report that accuses leading international media of being biased against the government and singles out their correspondents for attack. The organisations regard the report as a dangerous escalation in the harassment of journalists.

Published on 5 July by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), a think-tank created by İbrahim Kalın, who is nowadays an adviser to President Erdoğan, the report is billed as an academic study of the news coverage of the Turkish-language services of seven leading international media outlets, including the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Sputnik and Euronews.

In reality, it consists of a blistering attack on all of these media outlets except China Radio International, the only one not accused of anti-government bias on the basis of a comparison of their coverage of the July 2016 coup attempt, Turkey’s military intervention in Syria and other recent developments with the official Turkish version of these events.

The report names the correspondents of these media outlets, details their professional history and traces what they have said and done on social networks, in an attempt to establish their political affinities, question their journalistic ethics and even suggest links with terrorist organizations. Covering the trials of journalists and sharing the tweets of RSF and such media outlets as Cumhuriyet and Evrensel are cited as evidence of “anti-government positions.”

RSF and the other organisations listed below deplore the report’s malicious use of the political files that have been kept on the targeted journalists, using crude assumptions, with the sole aim of intimidating them. Such a witch-hunt is especially dangerous in the tension and political polarization that currently characterize Turkish society.

It is also hard not to see the report as an attempt to discredit these international media at a time when several of them are stepping up their Turkish-language reporting in order to compensate for the destruction of media pluralism that has been orchestrated by the Turkish authorities.

The Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), Turkey’s Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and the journalist Fatih Polat announced on 8 July that they filed a legal complaint against SETA on several grounds including “inciting hatred and hostility” and “retaining personal data.” In response to all the criticism of the report, SETA has insisted that it is “scientific.”

As the rule of law is steadily dismantled in Turkey, the situation of its media has become critical, especially since the 2016 coup attempt. Ranked 157th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index, Turkey now holds the world record for the number of journalists in prison.

Signatories
ARTICLE 19
Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute (IPI)
PEN Norway
P24 Platform for Independent Journalism
PEN America
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
ARTICOLO 21
Civic Space Studies Association
Danish PEN
English PEN
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Global Editors Network (GEN)
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
Swedish PEN

https://ifex.org/turkish-think-tank-report-escalates-harassment-of-journalists/

19 July 2019: ACHPR must expand, not limit civil society participation

December 30, 2020 • • disabled comments

28 civil society groups are calling on the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights to broaden rather than limit civil society observation and participation in its activities.

The Chairperson,

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

CC:

HE. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Chairperson of the African Union

HE. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Your Excellency;

We, the undersigned organisations, write to you to express our concern regarding the decision of Executive Council EX.CL/Dec.1015 (XXXIII) of June 2018.

During the Executive Council’s Thirty-Third Ordinary Session (June 2018) held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, it was stated that the independence of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (hereinafter the Commission) was limited to being that of a functional nature, and not independence from the same organs that created it. The Executive Council further required the Commission to submit to the policy organs for consideration and adoption revised criteria for granting and withdrawing Observer Status for Non Government Organisations (NGOs).

We believe this decision has the potential to exclude Non-Governmental Organisations/Civil Society Organisations (NGOs/CSOs) from this important space. We are particularly concerned that the suggested criteria for granting Observer Status with the Commission may be tied to proportion of funding that applying NGOs get from within Africa, as is the case with AU ECOSSOC. We also fear the decision may have a chilling effect on the work of the Commission in dealing with issues African citizens present to it when states violate rights protected by the Charter, including freedom of information, expression, association and assembly.

Your Excellency, we appreciate the significant impact the Commission has had on the continent, including providing guidance to Member States about progressive implementation of the Charter, inspiration to several rights-enhancing domestic legislations, key recommendations to member states, development of thematic Principles and Guidelines on human rights issues, support to implementation of the Charter and significantly, to the protection of the rights of individual African citizens and communities.

However, we are deeply concerned that this important progress may be reversed if the space provided by the Commission is restricted to exclude independent NGOs who promote and defend freedom of expression in Africa.

It is not a secret that during political contestations in many Member States, freedom of expression advocates and human rights defenders have faced significant violations including death, arrests, torture, intimidation and confiscation of equipment of equipment among others.

It is also a concern that increasingly, freedom of expression online has come under attack through internet disruptions, shutdowns, surveillance and other forms of violations.

Therefore, we the undersigned Organisations, make the following recommendations:

The Commission should ensure that Guidelines for granting Observer Status to NGOs expand rather than restrict space for freedom of expression advocates and human rights defenders in general;

The Commission should continue to monitor the situation of human rights violations in Africa and to raise concerns both publicly and privately, with the different State Parties;

The African Union should refrain from using political decisions to address human rights challenges. As such when a party is dissatisfied with the Commission’s Decisions, the matter should be sent to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for interpretation;

The Commission should engage the Organs and Institutions of the African Union to address the problem of shrinking space in Africa and guarantee protection of journalists and freedom of expression advocates;

We strongly urge the African Union to continue supporting the Commission in implementing its mandate, and to continue granting Observer Status to a wide variety of NGOs in the promotion of human and peoples’ rights on the continent. The Commission needs to continue cooperating with other human rights actors (inter-governmental or non-governmental) in many areas relating to the promotion and protection of human rights.

IFEX members
ActiveWatch – Media Monitoring Agency
Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Child Rights International Network (CRIN)
Foro de Periodismo Argentino
Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI)
Freedom Forum
Free Media Movement
Gambia Press Union
Independent Journalism Center (IJC)
Institute for Media and Society (IMESO)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
International Press Centre (IPC)
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
PEN International
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State
West African Journalists Association (WAJA)
Non-members
Kick Corruption out of Uganda (KICK-U)
Never Again Rwanda
Tanzania Citizens’ Information Bureau

https://ifex.org/achpr-must-expand-not-limit-civil-society-participation/

22 July 2019: 20 free expression groups call on incoming European Commission president to prioritise press freedom

December 30, 2020 • • disabled comments

Members of the press freedom community have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to ensure that media freedom, the protection of journalists, and EU citizens’ access to information are top political priorities over the coming term of her Commission.

This statement was originally published on cpj.org on 21 July 2019.

July 19, 2019

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission
Rue de la Loi 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium

Dear President von der Leyen,

We are writing as members of the press freedom community to congratulate you on your appointment as President of the European Commission, and to urge you to ensure that media freedom, the protection of journalists, and EU citizens’ access to information are top political priorities over the coming term of your Commission.

The last Commission took important steps to address media freedom. But given the rapidly changing media environment, increasingly severe threats and restrictions to press freedom, and the recent murders of journalists, more must be done. We, the undersigned organizations, strongly urge you to appoint a Vice-President of the new Commission with a clear and robust mandate to use all available EU mechanisms, including policy, legislation, and budget, to defend press freedom and the safety of journalists. In particular, we urge you to explicitly list this mandate in your mission letter to one of the Vice-Presidents establishing it as a political priority over the next five-year term.

We ask that the Vice-President have a sufficiently robust and far-ranging mandate to address the following areas of reform:

Creating an enabling legal and regulatory environment for free, independent, pluralistic, and diverse media and the safety of journalists, whether staff, freelancers, or bloggers. Journalists need to be protected from judicial harassment, arbitrary surveillance, defamation, overly broad national security and anti-terrorist legislation, as well as SLAPP and tax laws.

Protecting journalists, freelancers, and bloggers from physical, legal, psychological, and digital threats, and ensuring access to effective protection and prevention measures and mechanisms, with specific attention to the risks facing female journalists.

Combating impunity for all attacks against journalists, freelancers, and bloggers, including support and capacity-building for law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary and the development of specialized protocols for investigations.

Continuing to combat disinformation through robust public defense of independent journalism and its critical importance in democracy. This should accompany efforts to increase public understanding of media freedoms, supporting social media self-regulation, and building media literacy.

Supporting sustainable models for independent journalism in promoting media independence, pluralism, and diversity, as well as allowing for effective self-regulation, capacity building, and training.

Media freedom and pluralism are pillars of modern democracy. For the next Commission to guarantee European citizens their right to access to information, it must use the coming term to address the numerous threats to journalism. We hope you will take steps to ensure it does.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and thank you in advance for taking our concerns into consideration. We look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

Alliance Internationale de Journalistes
Article 19
Association of European Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
European Federation of Journalists
European Journalism Centre
European Media Initiative
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom
Free Press Unlimited
Global Forum for Media Development
IFEX
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute
Media Diversity Institute
PEN International
English PEN
Reporters Without Borders
Rory Peck Trust
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

https://ifex.org/20-free-expression-groups-call-on-incoming-european-commission-president-to-prioritise-press-freedom/

25 July 2019: Turkey: Gezi Park’s second hearing confirms lack of rule of law

December 30, 2020 • • disabled comments

16 civil society figures and arts practitioners are charged with planning to “attempt to overthrow the government” and of having financed the peaceful Gezi Park protests. If found guilty, they face a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

This statement was originally published on pen-international.org on 24 July 2019.

We, the undersigned human rights and freedom of expression organisations, condemn the interim judicial decision taken in the second hearing of the Gezi Park trial. The indictment accuses 16 civil society figures and arts practitioners in Turkey of having planned to “attempt to overthrow the government” and of having financed the peaceful Gezi Park protests. If found guilty, they face a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

We share the view that “the trial is in itself an act of intimidation”, having been opened 6 years after the Gezi protests took place in 2013. We are extremely concerned that this trial may once again contribute to creating a chilling effect on the fulfillment of the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and the legitimate right to protest as enshrined in the Turkish Constitution. We call for a concerted response by the European Union and Europe Member States to put urgent, consistent and collective pressure upon the Government of Turkey to restore the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.

On 18 July 2019, the judicial panel decided to reject the requests of defence lawyers for the release of Osman Kavala from 21 months of pre-trial detention and for the lifting of judicial control measures, including the travel ban, on the other defendants. Sarah Clarke, ARTICLE 19’s Head of Europe and Central Asia, said: “This decision represents a disturbingly clear example of the continuous absence of the rule of law and lack of independence of the judiciary in Turkey.” The indictment itself shows the total lack of tangible evidence for these allegations.

We strongly object the continuing pre-trial detention of Osman Kavala, who has now been in a maximum-security prison for 631 days. Kavala said in his defence statement, “I was never asked to make any statements during my time in detention or in custody with the police in relation to the allegations against me. I was not questioned by the prosecutor at any time after I was arrested. The indictment was prepared 16 months after I was arrested and this too indicates that there was no evidence to hand.”

Grounds for Kavala’s arrest are insufficiently supported in the indictment, raising serious concerns relating to the proportionality and legitimacy of his arrest. The lengthy pre-trial detention, which started 4 years after the Gezi Park protests took place, is unwarranted and disproportionate as a legal precaution against the defendant’s absconding or posing a ‘threat to society’. The excessive length of Kavala’s pre-trial detention of 21 months, his rights to presumption of innocence, to humane treatment, to the right to a fair trial and to liberty and security have all been violated in the most unnacceptable manner.

During the second hearing, defence lawyers argued that the evidence collected between May and November 2013 in relation to the Gezi protests was “re-evaluated”. In an earlier case drawing on some of the same evidence, an Istanbul court in 2015 acquitted all 26 defendants (including two of the defendants in the current Gezi Park case, (Mücella Yapıcı and Tayfun Kahraman). In the current case, the court has failed to take into consideration that 2015 judgement.

Furthermore, the defence demonstrated the inappropriateness of the charges under Article 312 of the Turkish Criminal Code which clearly includes the reference to an “act of force or violence” in the definition of the offence. The 2013 Gezi Park protests represented a peaceful and non-violent movement. The actual excessive use of force was that used by the police against civilians including the extensive use of teargas against the crowds. The indictment, as the defence lawyers proved time and again, contains no reference to an armed organisation (as per Article 314 of the Turkish Criminal Code), which further questions the basis of the accusations.

Norwegian PEN President, Kjersti Løken Stavrum said, “We will continue to monitor this trial and to advocate for all charges to be dropped against the 16 defendants. The fact that the 657-page indictment, bereft of concrete evidence, was accepted by the judicial panel is sadly, once more a clear indication of the poor state of the rule of law in Turkey.”

The next hearing of the Gezi Park trial will take place in Silivri on 8-9 October 2019, when other defendants will be heard and plaintiffs’ requests will be evaluated by the court.

ARTICLE 19
Index on Censorship
PEN Norway
PEN America
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation
Articolo 21
Danish PEN
ECPMF (European Centre for Press and Media Freedom)
English PEN
Front Line Defenders
OBC Transeuropa
PEN Flanders
PEN Netherlands
PEN Suisse Romand
PEN Turkey
Swedish PEN
Swiss Italian and Reto-Romanch PEN Centre
Wales PEN Cymru

https://ifex.org/turkey-gezi-parks-second-hearing-confirms-lack-of-rule-of-law/

2 August 2019: Civil society groups call for changes to Zimbabwe’s new ATI law

December 30, 2020 • • disabled comments

IFEX members are calling for changes to Zimbabwe’s recently gazetted Freedom of Information Bill to bring it in line with Zimbabwe’s constitution and international human rights standards.

Honourable Prince D. Sibanda

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services

Parliament Building

Corner Nelson Mandela Avenue and Third Street

Harare

RE: MISA ZIMBABWE’S SUBMISSIONS ON THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL [H.B. 6, 2019]

Dear Honourable Sibanda,

MISA Zimbabwe, with the support of undersigned freedom of expression organizations from around the globe, and in the spirit of constructive engagement and consultations pertaining to the law reform process, respectfully submits our concerns with the recently gazetted Freedom of Information Bill (hereinafter the Bill).

The signatories are concerned that the current version of the Bill does not reflect the provisions of Sections 61 (1) (a) and 62 of the 2013 Constitution, which provides for the right to access to information. At the continental level, the Bill does not currently live up to the Model Law on Access to Information for Africa that provides guidance on the principles of a democratic information law.

Problematic provisions that remain in the current version of the Bill include, but are not limited to:

Section 6(a) of the Bill protects deliberations and functions of Cabinet and its committees. There is no provision for declassification of information that relates to deliberations and functions of Cabinet and its committees.

Section 7 of the Bill only deals with access to information held by public entities and is silent on requests from private entities.

Section 7(1) of the Bill makes no provision for verbal requests for information. Written requests exclude the illiterate and visually impaired.

Section 8(3) speaks about the form a response will take; the section is not explicit about verbal responses being given in addition to the written responses to requests for information.

Section 17 of the Bill permits the charging of numerous access to information fees that include search fees, inspection fees, translation fees, copying and printing fees. Multiple fees act as a deterrent to information requests.

The Bill designates the Zimbabwe Media Commission as the Commission that is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the access to information law.

With these points in mind, MISA Zimbabwe and our co-signatories make the following recommendations to improve the current version of the Bill:

Expand Section 7 of the Bill to include requests for access to information held by private entities;

Include a provision for the lodging of verbal requests for information in any of Zimbabwe’s recognised languages, as listed in Section 6 (1) of the Constitution;

Verbal responses must be given if requested, in addition to a written response to the request for information. The verbal response must be in a local language that the applicant can understand;

While limited fees are permissible – for example, to purchase stationery necessary to facilitate information requests – the Bill should not permit the charging of stacked repetitive fees, such as search and inspection fees;

A fixed time period must be reintroduced beyond which records and information relating to deliberations and functions of Cabinet and its committees may be declassified and shared;

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and not the Zimbabwe Media Commission is the appropriate guardian of human rights in Zimbabwe, including the right to access information. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission’s mandate will allow it to interpret the right to access information in a significantly wider context than the ZMC and it should therefore, be given the task of overseeing the protection and promotion of the right to access information in Zimbabwe.

Yours sincerely,

Signatories
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
Association of Caribbean Media Workers
Asociación por los Derechos Civiles (ADC)
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Freedom Forum
Free Media Movement
Fundamedios – Andean Foundation for Media Observation and Study
Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI)
Independent Journalism Center (IJC)
International Press Centre (IPC)
Initiative for Freedom of Expression – Turkey
Media Watch
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
PEN Norway
Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
PEN America
Pakistan Press Foundation
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State

https://ifex.org/civil-society-groups-call-for-changes-to-zimbabwes-new-ati-law/

20 August 2019: Yemen: Over 75 organisations call for mandate of Group of Eminent Experts to be renewed, emphasising violations against human rights defenders

December 30, 2020 • • disabled comments

Among the many victims of the Yemen war are human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and activists. We encourage the GEE to ensure that upcoming reports increase the focus on the ongoing attacks by all the parties to the conflict specifically perpetrated against human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and Internet activists.

We, the undersigned international, regional and Yemeni CSOs, call for the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to extend and broaden the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen (GEE), including a thorough investigation into specific violations against human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers, and the closure of civic space.

The mandate of the GEE, which was created in September 2017 and extended for one year in September 2018, is up for renewal at the 42nd session of the UN HRC in September 2019. The UN High Commissioner will present the GEE’s report at the HRC followed by an interactive dialogue. The GEE’s mandate is to “monitor and report on the situation on Human Rights in Yemen” through “a comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights…. committed by all parties to the conflict since September 2014, including possible gender dimensions of such violations,” to “identify those responsible” and to provide “guidance on access to justice, accountability, reconciliation and healing.”

The humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Yemen has been well-reported. Among the many victims are human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and activists. We encourage the GEE to ensure that upcoming reports increase the focus on the ongoing attacks by all the parties to the conflict specifically perpetrated against human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and Internet activists. The closure of civic space makes it difficult for civil society organisations (CSOs) to operate, including through restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, such as travel restrictions on human rights defenders which prevent them from engaging with the UN and the international community at large.

We are deeply concerned about the repeated and persistent closures of the Internet throughout Yemen as well as the targeting of Internet activists by various parties, which has resulted in an Internet blackout. We hope that the upcoming report of the GEE will address all these important issues that directly affect freedom of expression on the Internet.

We are highly appreciative of the important and necessary work of the GEE, which has thoroughly detailed the disturbing human rights crisis in the country. We further support calls to build on this important work and upgrade the GEE into a Commission of Inquiry explicitly mandated to conduct investigations into violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, collect and preserve evidence of such violations, and identify the perpetrators with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. This would be consistent with the mandate of the GEE.

The mechanism should report directly to the HRC and function independently from its member states. It should also have a multi-year mandate with a view to strengthening accountability and countering impunity for human rights violations.

When releasing its first report in August 2018, the GEE stated that: “The Experts also have reasonable grounds to believe that, since September 2014, parties to the conflict in Yemen have severely restricted the right to freedom of expression. Human rights defenders and journalists have faced relentless harassment, threats and smear campaigns by the Government of Yemen, coalition forces, including those of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and by the de facto authorities in blatant disregard of human rights law.”

The 40-page report includes sections on “Arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment” and “Violations of freedom of expression”, in which human rights defenders are mentioned several times. We welcome the references to human rights defenders, activists and journalists who have been attacked and/or are arbitrarily detained in Yemen. We note the particular references to those who have faced threats and relentless harassment or been repressed on the basis of gender. We encourage further attention to the details of the repression they have faced, including building on the GEE’s documentation of 20 cases of women human rights defenders, journalists and activists who “have faced specific repression on the basis of gender” from all sides.

We look forward to seeing the GEE’s next report, and express full appreciation of the dedication and hard work of its members. We sincerely hope that the GEE’s mandate will be extended and strengthened into a multi-year Commission of Inquiry, including a specific focus on threats to human rights defenders, journalists, and bloggers, and the closure of civic space.

Signed,

Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)
Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI)
ARTICLE 19
Bytes for All (B4A)
Foro de Periodismo Argentino
Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI)
Initiative for Freedom of Expression – Turkey
International Press Centre (IPC)
Journaliste en danger (JED)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Mediacentar Sarajevo
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
PEN Canada
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture – ACAT Belgium
Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture – ACAT Germany
Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture – ACAT Luxembourg
Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture – ACAT-Switzerland
Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights
Al Manar News – Iraq
Al-Nadim Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence
Arab Foundation for Civil Society Support and Human Rights
Arseh Sevom
Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)
Bahrain Press Association (BPA)
Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights
Civic Space Studies Association – Turkey
CIVICUS
Cultural Media Center – Yemen
English PEN
Euro-Arab Organisation for Development and Human Rights
Front Lines Defenders
Gulf Forum for Civil Society Organisations
Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (GIDHR)
Hadiya Organisation for Human Rights (HOHR) – Iraq
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
Human Rights First
Independent Journalism Center Moldova
Innovation for Change MENA
International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL)
International Center for Supporting Rights and Freedoms, Switzerland
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR)
Iraqi Al-Amal Association
Iraqi Journalists Rights Defence Association (IJRDA)
Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture
Lebanese Organization for Unity and Defending Equal Rights – LOUDER
Ligue Burundaise des Droits de l’homme ITEKA
MENA Media Monitoring
Metro Center For Journalists Rights & Advocacy
Muwatin Media Network
National Forum For Human Rights (NFHR) – Yemen
No Peace Without Justice
Odhikar
Omani Association for Human Rights (OAHR)
Omani Center for Human Rights
Organisation Tchadienne Anti-Corruption (OTAC)
Qarar Foundation for sustainable development (QRAR)
SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights
Sentinel
Sisters Arab Foundation (SAF), Yemen
Sonoshad for welfare life organization
Syrian Organisation for Human Rights
Syrian Organisation for Rights and Public Freedoms
Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
Unión Nacional de Instituciones para el Trabajo de Acción Social (UNITAS)
West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN) Togo
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

https://ifex.org/yemen-over-75-organisations-call-for-mandate-of-group-of-eminent-experts-to-be-renewed-emphasising-violations-against-human-rights-defenders/