16 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
The United States’ sanctions against Belarus have been extended for one year in the hope of pushing for democratic reform. A White House spokesman reported that the executive order stood in opposition to corruption, censorship and human rights abuses. Despite acknowledging the 2008 release of three political prisoners, the report emphasised that “serious challenges remain”.
02 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
The Sudanese government has prevented three opposition activists from leaving the country, they were due order to attend a Kampala conference organised by the International Criminal Court. The passports of Miriam Al-Mahdi, Mahmoud Saleh and Al-Bukhari Aljaali were confiscated by security forces. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir in 1998, following allegations of genocide during the country’s bitter civil war.
16 Apr 10 | News and features
Web censorship and a compliant media are allowing the Thai government to turn the country into a police state, says Giles Ji Ungpakorn
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25 Feb 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed the release of Chandana Sirimalwatte, editor of the opposition Sinhala newspaper Lanka, on February 16 after 18 days in detention without charge. Lanka is aligned with a political party that had strongly backed the rival candidate.
Sirimalwatte was taken into custody on January 29, two days after President Mahinda Rajapaksa was declared re-elected to a second term in office. According to IFJ sources, Sirimalwatte’s unconditional release was ordered by a magistrate’s court after the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Sri Lankan police failed to present charges against him.
The IFJ meanwhile continues to be concerned for the welfare of Prageeth Eknaligoda, a senior journalist and political commentator who has been missing since January 24.
