More than 130 musicians, writers and artists, together with many British and Ugandan members of parliament, have signed a petition calling on Uganda to drop plans for regulations that include vetting songs, videos and film scripts prior to their release. Musicians, producers, promoters, filmmakers and all other artists would also have to register with the government and obtain a licence that can be revoked for a range of violations.
CATEGORY: Statements

UK NGOs concerned over press freedom implications of Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill
Index on Censorship joined a letter signed by seven other NGOs expressing concern over the UK’s Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill, which goes to the final stages of parliamentary debate on 30 January. The bill has worrying implications for press freedom and human rights, including putting journalists’ data at risk.

Azerbaijan takes step in right direction by dropping new charges against Mehman Huseynov
While Index on Censorship welcomes dropping of new charges against Mehman Huseynov, the organisation calls on Azerbaijan to release the human rights defender and journalist from prison

Ability to protest peacefully is a hallmark of a functioning democracy
Index on Censorship is alarmed by the increasing number of restrictions being placed on protests globally

Zimbabwe must release Evan Mawarire and drop all charges
Index on Censorship calls for the immediate release of activist Evan Mawarire, who was arrested in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Europe’s proposed regulation on online extremism endangers freedom of expression
Index on Censorship shares the widespread concerns about the proposed EU regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. The regulation would endanger freedom of expression and would create huge practical challenges for companies and member states.

Escalating repression against Mehman Huseynov
Member and partner NGOs of 13 Human Rights Houses issue a joint letter calling for urgent action from the international community to ensure the life, health, and rights of imprisoned Azerbaijani photojournalist, video blogger, and human rights defender Mehman Huseynov.

Bahraini injustice: Nabeel Rajab conviction for tweeting upheld
Bahrain’s Court of Cassation has upheld human rights activist Nabeel Rajab’s five-year conviction for critical tweets made from his account condemning Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen and the use of torture at Bahrain’s notorious Jau Prison.

Egyptian court orders release of activist Amal Fathy
A Cairo criminal court has ordered that Egyptian activist Amal Fathy, who was arrested on 11 May after posting a video criticising sexual harassment in Egypt, be released.

Press freedom organisations call for full justice in the case of assassinated journalist Ján Kuciak
On 6 December 2018, Index on Censorship joined eight partner organisations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists to conduct a press freedom solidarity mission to Slovakia to call for full justice in the case of assassinated journalist Ján Kuciak
Statements from freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship, the global voice of free expression