Philippine Drag Artist Arrested for ‘Offending Religion’ Charges Violate Free Expression Rights and Should Be Dropped The arrest of popular drag performer Pura Luka Vega in the Philippines has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and the misuse of religious beliefs to suppress dissenting viewpoints. Vega was charged under article […]
Category: Environment
Egypt’s Repression of Free Speech: The Urgent Call to Release Prominent Dissident on Trial
The Continued Repression of Free Speech in Egypt A Prominent Opposition Politician and Publisher Facing Arbitrary Detention Hisham Kassem, a prominent opposition politician and publisher in Egypt, has been arbitrarily detained since August 20th solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. His case has drawn international attention and […]
Free Speech Under Threat: The Troubling Situation in Chad
Troubling Development for Free Speech in Chad: Authorities Suspend News Site The Suspension of Alwihda Info In a concerning development for free speech and media freedom in Chad, the popular news website Alwihda Info has been suspended by Chad‘s High Media and Audiovisual Authority regulator (HAMA). The suspension, lasting eight […]
Lebanon: Silencing Dissent Through Arresting Comedians
Satire and Silencing Dissent: Lebanon’s Arrest of Comedian Nour Hajjar Introduction The recent arrest and investigation of Lebanese comedian Nour Hajjar by authorities in Lebanon is a concerning sign of the escalating crackdown on public criticism and the stifling of freedom of expression in the country. The arrest, which was […]
Lebanon’s Freedom of Speech at Stake: Comedian Arrested for Critical Jokes
Escalating Attacks on Free Expression: Lebanon‘s Crackdown on Critical Speech A New Level of Repression In a new and concerning escalation in Lebanon‘s crackdown on public criticism, authorities have arrested and investigated prominent comedian Nour Hajjar solely in retaliation for his jokes. This recent incident represents yet another attack on […]
“Calling for Change: Reforming Lebanon’s Insult and Defamation Laws”
Amnesty International Launches Campaign Calling for Repeal of Lebanon‘s Insult and Defamation Laws Background In the midst of a potential constitutional crisis in Lebanon, Amnesty International has launched its #MyOpinionIsNotaCrime campaign. The organization is calling on the Lebanese Parliament to abolish all laws that criminalize insult and defamation. This move […]
France’s Nahel Shooting: Addressing Police Firearms Rules and Systemic Racism in Law Enforcement
Amnesty International calls for wholesale reform of French police firearm rules to address systemic racism Recent Protests and Banning of Demonstrations After the unlawful killing of 17-year-old Nahel M by a police officer, a number of demonstrations protesting police violence have been banned by the French government. This move has […]
The Persecution of Free Speech in Russia: Human Rights Defender Oleg Orlov Faces Trial for Criticizing the Military
Opinion: The Persecution of Oleg Orlov and the Shrinking Space for Free Expression in Russia The Situation Amnesty International’s Russia Director, Natalia Zviagina, has called on the Russian authorities to drop all charges against Oleg Orlov, a prominent human rights defender. Orlov has been brought to trial in Moscow under […]
Lebanon’s Judiciary Continues to Undermine Freedom of Expression and Judicial Independence
Beirut Court’s decision to dismiss an appeal challenging the Beirut Bar Association’s (BBA) amendments to the lawyers’ code of ethics is a setback for the rule of law and human rights of lawyers in Lebanon. Thirteen lawyers had submitted two appeals asking the Court of Appeals to cancel the amendments […]
“Morocco’s Imprisoned Academics and Journalists Denied Access to Reading and Writing, a Violation of Freedom of Expression”
Amnesty International has recently highlighted the issue of prisoners being denied the right to read and write in Moroccan prisons, in violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. This World Press Freedom Day reminds us of the importance of freedom of expression and the […]