Yet Another Victim of Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law
Indonesia’s toxic blasphemy law has claimed another victim, this time a former government minister over a social media post deemed insulting to Buddhists.
Topic
Censorship
A collection of 606 articles
Guinea: Government Dissolves Opposition Coalition
(Nairobi) – Guinea dissolved the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (Front national pour la défense de la Constitution, FNDC), a prominent coalition of Guinean civil society groups and opposition parties, on politically motivated grounds on August 8, 2022, Human Rights Watch said today.
The move by the
Mali: Rights Reforms Crucial for Civilian Rule
(Nairobi) Mali’s authorities should act to uphold fundamental freedoms and the rule of law during the new two-year timetable for transitioning to civilian rule, Human Rights Watch said today.
Russia: New Bogus Charge Against Opposition Politician
(Berlin) – Russian authorities’ new spurious charge against opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza is a thinly veiled threat to the Russian public not to engage in dissent, Human Rights Watch said today. Russian authorities should immediately free Kara-Murza and drop all charges against him. Kara-Murza was informed of the new charge, of
The UN must act now to stop Russia’s growing crackdown on activism and free speech
For months, Russian authorities have regularly unleashed repressive announcements on Fridays.15 July was no different.
This Week in the New Normal #40
Our successor to This Week in the Guardian, This Week in the New Normal is our weekly chart of the progress of autocracy, authoritarianism and economic restructuring around the world.
1.
Masks of Benevolence: the art and times of Bob Moran
All artwork courtesy of bobmoran.co.uk
In September 2021, Bob Moran – then busy balancing his unlikely dual roles of Chief Political Cartoonist at the Daily Telegraph and Unofficial Cartoonist Laurette of the Great Awakening™ – got into trouble.
This trouble ultimately resulted in his losing his job (the Telegraph one,
Morocco’s Hidden Repression
Toward the end of his reign, Morocco’s King Hassan II eased his iron-fisted grip on the country, releasing long-serving political prisoners and allowing more space for dissent.
Spies Like Us: The Assange Indictment
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia indictment of Julian Assange is a curious document.
Sri Lanka: Security Forces Assault Peaceful Protesters
(New York) – In the early hours of July 22, 2022, Sri Lankan security forces forcibly dispersed people at a peaceful protest site and assaulted protesters in central Colombo, injuring more than 50 people and arresting at least 9 others, Human Rights Watch said today. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office
Philippines: Marcos Should Focus on Rights Issues
(Manila) – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.should demonstrate a serious commitment to human rights in his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2022, Human Rights Watch said today.
Indonesian Women Speak Out on Dress Codes
(Jakarta) – Most of Indonesia’s provinces and dozens of cities and regencies impose discriminatory and abusive dress codes on women and girls, Human Rights Watch said today.
Belarusian Journalist’s Sentencing Indicates New Levels of Repression
Last week, a court in Homieĺ, Belarus, found journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva guilty of “high treason.” She is already serving a two-year sentence on bogus charges, and the new verdict increased her total sentence to eight years and three months. In February 2021, a district court in Minsk sentenced Katsiaryna and
Thailand: Free Detained Critics of Monarchy
(Bangkok) – Thai authorities should immediately drop the charges and release pro-democracy activists detained for insulting the monarchy (lese majeste), Human Rights Watch said today.
Sedition law: Why India should break from Britain’s abusive legacy
Britain’s legacy in India includes abusive laws to suppress any opposition to colonial rule.
