Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan

December 2012

 

In December 2012, the Monitoring Service received 21 reports. Eleven of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of social, legal and political environment; nine reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and one report describes conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.
I. POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL ENVIRONMENT DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Statements of public officials defining the factual status of the mass media

3 December
Beg Zukhurov, head of the government communication service, Dushanbe

After a telephone conversation with Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, the head of the Tajik government communication service, Beg Zukhurov stated that his agency intends to unblock this social network.

The Interfax news agency quoted Zukhurov as saying the following: “I have brought to the notice of the distinguished Zuckerberg that many citizens of Tajikistan who experienced a civil war are resentful about extremist appeals and libel disseminated through his social network”.

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti also quoted the official as saying that access to the web resource will be opened within the next few days “after resolving some technical problems”.

10 December
Olimjon Salimzoda, chairman of the International Relations, Public Unions and Information Committee under the Parliament, Dushanbe

Olimjon Salimzoda, chairman of the Parliament Committee on International Relations, Public Unions and Information told the Asia Plus news agency that the Parliament approved the draft law on “Periodicals and other mass media”.

According to the official, this media law is going to be the best among the similar profile laws in the countries of Central Asia.

According to the amendments to be introduced in the law, state agencies will be obliged to present official responses within three days after requests from journalists. At present, ministries and government bodies are obliged to provide answers to the media within one month after a request.
Salimzoda is confident that the amendments in question will strengthen responsibility of public officials.

“The final draft law was developed on the basis of remarks and suggestions from national and international media organizations and experts”, — he noted.

12 December
Sukhrom Sharipov, member of Parliament, Dushanbe

At a session of the Parliament where parliamentarians discussed the media draft law, Sukhrob Sharipov stated that the new legislation is in compliance with the international standards of the freedom of speech.

He also noted that Tajik journalists are very active in protecting the national interests making their valuable contribution in the discussion of delicate and controversial issues.

“I can expect that the Tajik media may criticize the draft law, but I would also say that ideal laws do not exist anywhere in the world”, — he said.

2. Amendments to legislation affecting the media

12 December
Parliament, Dushanbe

On 12 December, Tajik parliamentarians adopted a new law “On periodicals and other mass media”.

Initially, the draft law was submitted to the Parliament for consideration and discussion in March 2010. The lower chamber of the Parliament set up a working comprising government officials, parliamentarians, members of political parties and media professionals.

According to the new law, from now on, all media shall register as legal entities; state institutions are obliged to respond to journalists’ requests within three days (previously, it was three months).

3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

1 December
The Council of Press Secretaries, Dushanbe

On 29 November, press secretaries and heads of press services under the government agencies created their public organization – the Council of Press Secretaries of Tajikistan.

The organization has adopted its charter; participants elected a chairman and appointed members of the revision commission.

Davlatali Nazriev, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Information, Analysis and Foreign Policy Planning Department is elected the chairman.

The Council’s board comprises representatives from the Parliament, the Ministry of Health, the Drug Control Agency under the President, the Anti-corruption Agency, Prosecutor General’s Office and the TV & Radio Committee.

The new organization pursues the goal to cooperate with the mass media, press services of government agencies, provision of comprehensive and veracious information, and improvement of professional and creative skills among journalists.

1 December
All media, Dushanbe

On 30 November, the Tajik Media Council held its annual conference. Participants noted, inter alia, that the Council does not fully apply its potential in working with regional mass media.

Another issues discussed at the Council was the necessity of strengthening the system of pretrial dispute and conflict resolution (between the media and government bodies or public officials).

The Media Council was created in 2009. The founders of the Council are the Tajik Union of Journalists, the National Association of Independent Mass Media, the Association of Electronic Mass Media, the Memorial Fund for Protection of Journalists. The Council was created under support of the OSCE Bureau in Tajikistan.

7 December
All media, Khujand, Sughd province

On 7 December, NANSMIT held a session of the Club of Journalists to discuss rights and duties of media professionals in covering legal proceedings.

In particular, journalists were interested in learning about video and audio recordings during legal proceedings in court. The lawyer Sadriddin Saidov explained that the minimal requirement is permission from the judge and the defendant; besides that, the journalist must notify the parties that he/she intends to carry out a video or audio recording.

7 December
All media, Dushanbe

On 7 December, NANSMIT held a round table session in Dushanbe to discuss the role of public television in developing diversified and interesting programs and contents that meet expectations of the audience in the era of the Internet. The session was organized by the BBC International Cooperation Department.

Participants discussed the tasks of government and non-state electronic mass media and the trends of editorial policies of the Tajik TV companies.

10 December
All media, Dushanbe

The Tajik NGO Independent Center to Protect Human Rights launched a project “Legal assistance to the mass media” supported by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

According to Shoira Davlatova, project coordinator, the purpose of the project is legal assistance to the media in conducting voluntary legal audits.

The Independent Center to Protect Human Rights is a group of licensed lawyers specialized on protection of public interests. This group has its own analytical potential.

19 December
All media, Dushanbe

On 19 December, NANSMIT made a presentation of profile literature (study guides and textbooks) to the Nosiri Khusrav University in Kurgan-Tube.

Nuriddin Karshoboev, chairman of the National Association told professors and students that NANSMIT publishes its own original literature, and it also has access to resources of partner organizations – media and human rights entities.

20 December
All media, Dushanbe

On 20 December, NANSMIT and the Finnish VIKES Foundation held a training for young journalists OF Central Asia to discuss the issues of labor protection and labor legislation.

Participants discussed practical issues related to violation of labor rights by employers. They received information on international standards of labor legislation based on study cases.

Young journalists expressed concern over the absence of professional trade unions and stressed the necessity of creating bodies to regulate labor relations between employees and employers.

II. VIOLATION OF PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS

1. Ungrounded limitation of access to information

1 December

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Dushanbe

On 29 December, managers of a few local Internet providing companies told the Asia Plus news agency that they received SMS messages from the government communications service demanding to close access to www.ozodi.org, the official web site of Radio Free Europe /Radio Liberty.

 

According to managers of the Internet providing companies, this demand of the authorities is related to the recent interview with Beg Zukhurov, head of the government communications body. The Tajik service of RFE/RL asked certain uncomfortable questions to the public official who recently ordered the Internet providers to close access to Facebook, the global social network for Tajik Internet users.
Zukhurov’s statement regarding the closure of Facebook in Tajikistan entailed a number of jokes and poignant remarks in the media and in other social networks, as well as serious criticism of the Tajik government violating basic rights of citizens.
2 December
Reporters Without Borders, Paris

On 2 December, the Paris-based media organization reporters Without Borders issued a statement criticizing the Tajik authorities for blocking the web site of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.
Johan Bir, head of the organization’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia unit raised concern about the actions of Tajik officials calling them for unblocking access to Facebook and Radio Ozodi.
3 December

All media, Dushanbe

The US embassy in Dushanbe is seriously concerned about the blocking of access to Facebook, Radio Ozodi and a number of other online resources.

 

The embassy issued a statement saying that “the right for freedom of expression is universal, and this right must remain universal everywhere – in a public place, in the Internet, or anywhere else… We call the Tajik authorities for observing these rights and unblocking access to Facebook, Radio Ozodi and other web sites”.

 

5 December

Asomiddin Asoev, Association of Internet Providers in Tajikistan, Dushanbe

On 5 December, a number of Tajik Internet providers unblocked access to Facebook – the social network was blocked since 26 November.

Assomiddin Atoev, chairman of Tajikistan’s Internet Providers Association told the media that the state company Tajiktelecom was the first who unblocked access to Facebook. “Probably, the other providers have not received the order from the authorities, but I believe that they will follow Tajiktelecom very shortly”, — he added.

7 December

All media

On 6 December, the Office of the European Union in Dushanbe issued a statement expressing concern over the recent blocking of access to Facebook, Radio Ozodi and a number of other web resources.
“Although access to certain web sites has been restored, the European Union is concerned about rather frequent obstacles of such kind, which raises concern over the media freedom in Tajikistan”, — the statement says.
Representatives of the European Union reminded the Tajik authorities about the Tajikistan’s commitments to observe international conventions and follow the standards of the freedom of expression.
Representatives of the European Union are confident that the Internet must serve as a forum for exchange of information and ideas.
2. Ungrounded limitation in access to information

20 December

Jumkhuriyat weekly, Dushanbe

The Asia Plus weekly (#96. 20.12.12) published an article titled “The government media promise to criticize”. This is a set of interviews with recently appointed editors of government newspapers – Narodnaya Gazeta, Khalk Ovozi, and Jumkhuriyat.

 

Asia Plus reports with regret that the editor of the Jumkhuriyat weekly refused to answer the questions referring to his personal dislike of Asia Plus and criticism in a publication on www.news.tj .

3. Impediments to professional activities

13 December

Daler Sharipov, freelance journalist, Dushanbe

Servicemen of the National Security Committee in Kumsangir district refused to return video records from the funeral ceremony of Domullo Mukhammadi Kumsangiri, a spiritual leader who passed away in November. The video recording was performed by Daler Sharipov, a young journalist who wanted to write a story about the life and activities of Kumsangiri.

 

After the funeral, the journalist was detained by the National Security officers who confiscated his video records and interrogated him for more than one hour. Sharipov said that the officers promised to return the video records, but one month later, they did not keep their promise.
Daler Sharipov is a former correspondent of the Safina TV and the leader of an unregistered organization Kadam ba Kadam; he is a well known host of TV shows. In May 2013, he was attacked and brutally beaten by persons unknown; the investigation on that case proved to be futile.

 

17 December
ImruzNews weekly, Dushanbe

Naziri Nusrat, correspondent of the Tajik private weekly ImruzNews published an article titled “Two meetings and persecution of journalists” (#222, 17 December) where he described facts of intimidation of journalists.

The author told about a meeting of journalists with parents of convicts near the prosecutor general’s office. The meeting was accompanied by a car with tinted glasses; participants of the meeting tried to change their location, but the vehicle kept following them.

 

Journalists see intimidation in such actions; however, the unknown persons in the car did not undertake anything else, which might be interpreted as persecution or harassment.

 

III. CONFLICTS, VIOLATIONS, ALLEGED CRIMES

1. Accusation of defamation

22 December

Saidmukarram Abdukodirzoda, head of the Council of Ulems, Dushanbe

On 21 December, at a Friday sermon, the chief mufti of Tajikistan and the head of the National Council of Ulems Saidmukarram Abdulkodirzoda publically accused the Tajik media of exaggerations in publications about tortures in prisons. The sermon was held in the central mosque in Dushanbe; it was attended by hundreds of parishioners.
“The press is lying. I personally visited several prisons during three days, I spoke with inmates and I learned about the conditions in those institutions. There are no tortures there, no cruel treatment; journalists lay on the colors too thickly”, — the spiritual leader stated.
Nuriddin Karshiboev, chairman of NANSMIT called the accusations of the mufti ungrounded. “Journalists cover this issue in a balanced manner; they provide the floor not only to victims of tortures and their relatives, but also to the law enforcement agencies and government structures”, — he said.

 

Just in time for the holidays, state movie producer Tajikkino has released a multi-DVD collection of documentaries on Emomali Rahmon’s reign as Tajikistan’s president over the last 20 years.

Each year of Rahmon’s presidency is detailed on a separate disk, 20 in all, with the remaining eight disks of the collection dedicated to Rahmon’s role in developing various sectors of the country.

Among those are films such as «Emomali Rahmon and Food Security» and «Emomali Rahmon and Energy Independence.»

The collection is available at select Dushanbe stores and bazaar stalls at a reported price of 270 somoni (about $57), or nearly the average monthly salary in Tajikistan.

Dushanbe vendor Nasim Zokirov told RFE/RL’s Tajik Service that representatives of Tajikkino brought the DVDs to vendors and requested they be put on sale. «We were forced to buy them…they took the money [the cost of the DVDs] in advance,» Zokirov said.

Zokirov lamented that «customers don’t seem interested in this item.»

Tajikkino denied reports that vendors were forced to purchase the DVD collection and sell it to the public.

A representative of the state-owned film company, who did not want his name revealed, said the sale price should actually be 180 somoni (some $38).

Little Interest

RFE/RL’s Tajik Service asked about sales of the Rahmon collection at two stores in downtown Dushanbe where merchants said interest was low and that government officials seemed to be the main customers.

Most people on the street said they wouldn’t take the box set if it were given to them.

One Dushanbe resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was asked if he would buy the new collection on Rahmon’s time as Tajik leader.

«We see him every day on television, I don’t understand why there is a need to sell disks about him,» the man said.

The release of the Rahmon collection comes as Tajikistan has taken steps to block 131 websites by December 24.

The head of Tajikistan’s Association of Internet Providers, Asomuddin Atoev, said the Tajik authorities sent such instructions on December 21.

Most of those websites to be blocked are dedicated to music and videos.

But Russian news agencies have reported that social networks such as Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki will also be blocked as well as Twitter and Tajikistan’s version of YouTube, topvideo.tj.

Facebook, which was temporarily blocked starting at the end of November, will reportedly remain accessible.

The Tajik authorities have not said why the sites are to be blocked.

Written by Bruce Pannier with reporting by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, Interfax, and Kommersant.ru

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan_rahmon_dvd_documentary/24806281.html

Writers from 19 countries have received 2012 Hellman/Hammett grants for their commitment to free expression.

The award is administered by the New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) and is given annually to writers who have been targets of political persecution or human rights abuses.

This year’s 41 honorees include Dovletmyrat Yazkuliyev, a freelance contributor for RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service.

HRW says Yazkuliyev is «known for his reporting on sensitive issues in Turkmenistan.»

In 2011, Yazkuliyev was arrested, tried, and convicted of «influencing or abetting an attempted suicide by a family member.»

Most observers say the charge was official retribution for his reporting.

He received a presidential pardon in October 2011.

Those honored also include three Iranians, two Pakistanis, and one Tajik.

The awards are worth up to $10,000 each.

http://www.rferl.org/content/hrw-honors-writers-for-commitment-to-free-expression/24804271.html

Reporters Without Borders, \»Le Monde,\» and TV5Monde have awarded their annual Press Freedom Prize to the Afghan daily \»8Sobh\» and Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish.

The prize committee paid tribute to the daily \»8Sobh\» as \»living evidence that freely-reported quality journalism can develop in the most difficult corners of the planet.”

It honored Darwish, who has been imprisoned since February, for \»displaying extraordinary courage in the face of danger.\»

\»8Sobh\» editor in chief Parwiz Kawa told RFE/RL\’s Radio Free Afghanistan that journalists in Afghanistan faced threats and intimidation both from officials and the Taliban.

Since 1992, Reporters Without Borders has been honoring journalists and news media across the world for the defense and promotion of press freedom.

http://www.rferl.org/content/afghan-newspaper-syrian-journalist-media-freedom-award/24803597.html

Deadliest year for journalists since Reporters Without Borders began producing its annual roundup in 1995

2012 in numbers
88 journalists killed (+33%)
879 journalists arrested 1993 journalists threatened or physically attacked
38 journalists kidnapped
73 journalists fled their country
6 media assistants killed
47 netizens and citizen-journalists killed
144 bloggers and netizens arrested
This year has been exceptionally deadly, with a 33 per cent rise in the number of journalists killed in connection with their work over 2011. The worst-hit regions were the Middle East and Northern Africa (with 26 killed), Asia (24 killed) and sub-Saharan Africa (21 killed). Only the western hemisphere registered a fall in the number of journalists killed.
This is the worst set of figures since Reporters Without Borders began producing an annual roundup in 1995. The number of journalists murdered or killed was 67 in 2011, 58 in 2010 and 75 in 2009. The previous record was in 2007, when 87 were killed. The 88 journalists killed in 2012 lost their lives while covering wars or bombings, or were murdered by groups linked to organized crime (including drug trafficking), by Islamist militias or on the orders of corrupt officials.
“The reason for the unprecedented number of journalists killed in 2012 is mainly the war in Syria, the chaos in Somalia and Taliban violence in Pakistan,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “The impunity enjoyed by those responsible for violations of human rights, in particular, the right to freedom of information, encourages the continuation of these violations.”
The victims were news providers of all kinds. Citizen-journalists and netizens have been hit hard – 47 killed in 2012 compared with 5 in 2011 – especially in Syria. These men and women act as reporters, photographers and video-journalists, documenting their day-to-day lives and the government’s crackdown on its opponents. Without their activities, the Syrian regime would be able to impose a complete news blackout on certain regions and continue massacring in secret.
To compile these figures, Reporters Without Borders used the detailed information it gathered in the course of its monitoring of violations of freedom of information throughout the year. The victims were journalists or netizens who were killed in connection with the collection and dissemination of news and information. Reporters Without Borders did not include cases of journalists and netizens who were killed solely in connection with their political or civil society activism, or for other reasons unrelated to the provision of news and information. Reporters Without Borders continues to investigate other cases in which it has so far been unable to get all the information it needs in order to take a decision.
2011 2012 Change
Journalists killed 66 88 +33%
Journalists arrested 1044 879 -16%
Journalists threatened or attacked 1959 1993 +2%
Journalists kidnapped 71 38 -46%
Journalists fleeing abroad 77 73 -5%
Netizens and citizen-journalists killed 5 47 +840%
Netizens arrested 199 144 -27%

The five deadliest countries for journalists

Despite the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 1738 in 2006, stressing the need to protect journalists in dangerous areas, violence against journalists, above all the killing of journalists, continues to be one of the biggest threats to freedom of expression.
Syria – cemetery for news providers
At least 17 journalists, 44 citizen-journalists and 4 media assistants killed in 2012
Bashar Al-Assad’s bloody crackdown in Syria has hit news providers hard because they are the unwanted witnesses of the atrocities being committed by a regime with its back to the wall. Journalists have also been targeted by armed opposition groups, which are increasingly intolerant of criticism and ready to brand journalists as spies if they fail to reflect their views. Because of the polarization of information sources, news manipulation, propaganda, technical constraints and the extreme violence to which journalists and citizen-journalists are exposed, anyone trying to gather or disseminate news and information in Syria needs a real sense of vocation.
Black year for Somalia
18 journalists killed in 2012 in this Horn of Africa country
Twice as many journalists were killed in Somalia in 2012 as in 2009, until now the deadliest year for media personnel. The second half of September was particularly bloody with seven journalists killed, two of them in the space of 24 hours. One was gunned down, the other beheaded. Most are the victims of targeted murders or bombings. Those responsible for this violence are either armed militias such as Al-Shebaab or local government officials who want to silence news outlets. Somali journalists are subject to the most appalling constraints in both the capital Mogadishu and in the rest of the country. The lack of a stable government in this failed state for the past 20 years, endemic violence and generalized impunity all contribute to the grim death toll.
Pakistan, a journalist killed every month
10 journalists and 1 media assistant killed in 2012 – a minefield for the media because of endemic violence in Balochistan and Taliban reprisals
Ten journalists were killed in Pakistan for the second year running — almost one a month since February 2010. It was the world’s deadliest country for the media from 2009 to 2011, and Balochistan continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous regions. With its Tribal Areas, its border with Afghanistan, its tension with India and its chaotic political history, Pakistan is one of the world’s most complicated countries to cover. Terrorist threats, police violence, local potentates with unlimited powers and dangerous conflicts in the Tribal Areas place often deadly stumbling blocks in journalists’ paths.
Journalists targeted by organized crime in Mexico
6 journalists killed
Mexico’s violence, which has grown exponentially during the federal offensive against the drug cartels of the past six years, targets journalists who dare to cover drug trafficking, corruption, organized crime’s infiltration of local and federal government and human rights violations by government officials.
Brazil: behind the scenes
5 journalists killed
Drug traffickers operating across the Paraguayan border seem to have had a direct hand in the deaths of two of the five journalists murdered in connection with their work in Brazil in 2012. Both had covered drug cases. Two of the other victims were blogging journalists, who often find that the least criticism of local officials can expose them to danger.
The world’s five biggest prisons for journalists

A record number of journalists imprisoned, with Turkey taking the prize There have never been as many journalists in prison. A total of 193 are currently jailed in connection with their work, while at least 130 netizens are also detained in connection with the provision of news and information.
Turkey, the world’s biggest prison for journalists
At least 42 journalists and 4 media workers detained
The number of journalists currently detained in connection with their work in Turkey is without precedent since the end of the military rule. Limited legislative reforms have barely slowed the pace of arrests, searches and trials to which journalists are subjected, usually on the grounds of combatting terrorism. Based on repressive laws, judicial practices are dominated by security concerns and show little respect for freedom of information and the right to due process.
Although the climate is now more intimidating, the Turkish media continue to thrive and exhibit a great deal of diversity. Reporters Without Borders recently concluded several months of investigations into Turkey’s imprisoned journalists. Of the 70 journalists currently in prison, it managed to establish that at least 42 of them are being held in connection with their work of gathering and disseminating news and information. Many other cases are still being investigated.
Lack of progress in China
30 journalists and 69 netizens in prison
The number of detained journalists has been fairly constant for years. Most of the hundred or so journalists and netizens currently held are serving long sentences in harsh conditions on charges of subversion or divulging state secrets. Those who arrest journalists are often local officials concerned about the bad publicity that can result from reports about corruption or nepotism. The political police focus on free speech activists and bloggers, who are increasingly inventive in their efforts to circumvent censorship.
Eritrea’s prison hell
At least 28 journalists in prison
Africa’s biggest prison for journalists has been cut off from the rest of the world since the major roundups in September 2001 and the closure of all of the privately-owned media. None of the 28 journalists currently in prison had the right to a trial or access to a lawyer and few have ever been allowed a family visit. Prison conditions are appalling and include solitary confinement, underground cells and torture.
At least seven journalists have died or committed suicide while held incommunicado – forgotten or ignored by the outside world. One of the planet’s few remaining totalitarian dictatorships and ranked last in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, Eritrea arrests journalists and leaves them to rot in prison on the least suspicion of posing a threat to national security or taking a critical view of government policies.
The cruel intolerance of Iran’s mullah republic
26 journalists and 17 netizens in prison
The media freedom situation deteriorated considerably in 2009 as a result of the crackdown on the protests that followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed reelection. Ever since then, the regime has kept on jailing news providers for crossing its red lines. The state of health of some of the detainees is very worrying. In an additional punishment, the families of detainees are subject to frequent threats, harassment and reprisals if they dare to talk to the media. Some of those who are released are also victims of threats and prevented from working, their employers pressured to fire them.
Held in Syrian cells
At least 21 journalists and 18 netizens in prison
Journalists and citizen-journalists are not only being killed in the regime’s crackdown. Many are also being arrested and torture is systematic. The authorities stop at nothing in order to extract information from prisoners and dismantle opposition networks.

Slight fall in arrests and abduction of journalists, and ransacking of news media

There has been a slight fall in cases of journalists being arrested or abducted in the past year, compared with 2011, except in Asia and the Americas, where the numbers have continued to grow. News providers were often targeted on the streets while covering demonstrations and protests.
The street dangers have continued above all in Syria (51 arrests, 33 physical attacks and 13 abductions) and to a lesser degree in Bahrain (18 arrests and 36 physical attacks). It is not easy to put a precise figure on the number of arrests of news providers amid operations targeting the civilian population in general. The figures given for Syria probably fall short of the reality.
The number of arrests and physical attacks has fallen sharply since the fall of Muammar Qadhafi and Hosni Mubarak respectively in Libya (7 arrests in 2012, down from 28 in 2011) and Egypt (33 arrests and 63 attacks in 2012, down from 116 arrests and 104 attacks in 2011). But there was a marked rise in cases of threats or attacks in Tunisia in 2012, following a 2011 revolution that was shorter and prompted a less violent crackdown that other uprisings in the region. In Oman, the authorities arrested around 30 bloggers in a bid to stop protests inspired by the Arab Spring.
In Latin America, Cuba has stepped up its harassment of dissident bloggers and journalists again since 2011. Peru continues to rank first in physical attacks, maintaining its average of around 100 a year. The biggest increases were registered in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. In Argentina, the increase was due to growing polarization; in Brazil, to electoral tension and violence; and in Mexico, to a still high level of violence compounded by political disturbances resulting from July’s presidential election. Colombia was the only one to register a fall in the number of physical attacks, but it was not enough to end its status as one of the region’s most violent countries.
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal are among the Asian countries where such violations have increased. With an undeclared coup d’état in Maldives and the media silenced in Sri Lanka, the Indian subcontinent is the Asian region where the situation deteriorated most in 2012. The Chinese Communist Party congress was accompanied by an increase in arrests, attacks and acts of censorship. Many media are trying to free themselves of control by the Propaganda Department and local officials, but the Communist Party refuses to loosen its grip on this “strategic” sector and keeps on inventing new ways to censor.
In Africa, 2012 was marked by the appearance of violations in Mali, especially in the north (13 arrests, 8 cases of threats or attacks, 2 abductions and at least 4 news media censored). Abuses and cases of censorship are growing steadily in frequency in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Somalia. A relative calm returned in Uganda, Malawi and Angola – countries where the authorities cracked down on protests in 2011
A relative calm also returned to Belarus, where the number of arrests fell to the more usual if still worrying level of 31 after a 2011 marked by unprecedented protests and a violent crackdown. Physical attacks increased in Ukraine, where impunity sustains a degree of violence against journalists although there is no security problem. In Turkey, the world’s biggest prison for journalists, the number of arrests doubled as a result of tension surrounding the issue of the Kurdish minority.
Endemic violence accounts for the still high number of journalists being forced to flee abroad – 73 in 2012 compared with 77 in 2011. As a result of the Assad regime’s bloody crackdown, Syria replaced Iran in 2012 as the biggest source of news providers fleeing into exile. And more than 10 journalists fled Somalia in the month of September alone.

http://en.rsf.org/2012-journalists-netizens-decimated-19-12-2012,43806.html

The 2012 Reporters Without Borders – Le Monde – TV5Monde Press Freedom Prize has been awarded to the Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish and the Afghan daily 8Sobh.

Reporters Without Borders, Le Monde and TV5Monde are pleased to award their 2012 Press Freedom Prize to Mazen Darwish, the head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), and to the Afghan daily newspaper 8Sobh (8 a.m.). The award ceremony took place today at the Le Monde auditorium in Paris.

“This year, the Press Freedom Prize jury included such prestigious human rights defenders as Taslima Nasreen, Harry Wu et Alpha Oumar Konaré,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.“The jury decided to pay tribute to the Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish, who displayed extraordinary courage in the face of danger and ended up paying with his freedom. Reporters Without Borders continues to demand his release by the Syrian authorities. The winner in the media category, the Afghan daily 8Sobh, is living evidence that freely-reported quality journalism can develop in the most difficult corners of the planet.”

Darwish was declared “2012 Journalist of the Year” because of his courage and commitment to freedom of information. Arrested by airforce intelligence officers during a raid on SCM headquarters in Damascus on 16 February, he has been held incommunicado ever since. According to various sources, he has been badly tortured in detention and his life is in danger, especially as he suffers from serious ailments that require medical attention and are undermining his condition. The Syrian authorities refuse to say where he is being held or to bring him before a judge. He is not being allowed access to his family or lawyers, in complete violation of international law. Darwish bore witness to the violence of a regime that persists in deadly folly, and his arrest sent a warning to journalists and all those who defend the right to information in Syria. A staunch advocate of human rights and freedom of expression, Darwish had been playing a key role in providing information about the situation in Syria at a time when almost all foreign journalists were banned from visiting the country.

8Sobh (www.8am.af) is a Kabul-based daily that was founded in May 2007 by a number of well-known journalists and media freedom activists. Edited by Sanjar Sohail, who is also its owner, it publishes news reports and analyses on all the major topics that concern Afghans, including democracy, human rights and political developments. Its stories are covered objectively with the aim not only of providing balanced and independently reported information but also with the aim of promoting democratization and the development of a state that guarantees free speech and media freedom. It is the only Afghan newspaper that is distributed in six provinces – Kabul, the northern province of Balkh, the eastern province of Nangarhar, the western province of Herat, the central province of Bamyan and the southern province of Ghazni. Because it is secularist and tries to provide neutral and objective coverage, both the Taliban and the authorities harass it. “For us and our readers, this prize honours and encourages a free press in Afghanistan,” Sohail said. “Our still young press faces many challenges but we are convinced that it is thanks to consciousness-raising and to courageous, professional reporting by journalists that the Afghan government and state will become more responsible, more transparent and above all more democratic.”

The Reporters Without Borders Prize has been awarded every year since 1992 to a journalist and a news media in different parts of the world that have made a significant contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom.

The newspaper Le Monde and the television broadcaster TV5Monde have been partners in this prize since last year. Le Monde managing editor Alain Frachon quoted the reason that his predecessor, Erik Izraelewicz, gave for becoming a partner in the prize last year: “From Sidi Bouzid to Sanaa, from Rangoon to Benghazi, from Damascus to Cairo, there has been no shortage of major developments in 2011. The international media have covered them without forgetting that local journalists, often at risk to their lives, have for years been combating the constant violations of media freedom in these places. For 20 years, the Reporters Without Borders Prize for Press Freedom has been reminding the public that their struggle is also our struggle. Le Monde is pleased to join Reporters Without Borders in this undertaking.” Frachon added: “This year, Erik is no longer with us but his words express all the importance that we attach to this prize.”

Yves Bigot, TV5Monde’s director-general, said: “An international TV broadcaster such as TV5Monde has to be at the forefront of the defence of media freedom, as we its embody its universal values every day in the 200 countries where we have a presence. Our staff and the staff of our partner stations – RTBF, RTS, Radio Canada and France Télévisions – are constantly involved with all those who giving testimony to a world in turmoil, a world that is rebelling and a world that is often at war. It was therefore self-evident that we should be linked with Reporters Without Borders and Le Monde to this prize that pays tribute to all those who work with courage and passion, sometimes at the cost of their lives, because they believe that what they are doing is contributing to the freedom of all their fellow citizens.”

europe@rsf.org

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — A court in Almaty has fined the editor in chief of a banned opposition newspaper for using another newspaper’s pages for her weekly’s materials.

Tatyana Trubacheva, the chief editor of «Golos respubliki» (The Voice of Republic), told RFE/RL that she was fined $100 on December 12 for placing her written material in the «Azat» (Free) newspaper on November 30.

Trubacheva’s newspaper, along with several other opposition newspapers, was suspended and later banned after prosecutors requested in November that two opposition groups and several opposition media outlets be designated extremist.

Trubacheva says she will appeal the decision by the court.

The Almaty-based Adil Soz (A Just Word) media-rights group announced earlier on December 12 that a court in Almaty banned the opposition television channel K-Plus, its two websites, and several print publications carrying the channel’s material.

http://www.rferl.org/content/kazakh-editor-fined-for-using-other-newspaper/24796829.html

Journalists from around the world who are interested in sharing, expanding and researching public policy and political affairs can apply for this fellowship.

The Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government is accepting applications for the Joan Shorenstein Center Fellowship.

Applicants must be journalists, scholars or policymakers active in the field of press, politics and public policy. English fluency is required.

Fellows are required to live in residence for one semester, and will receive a US$30,000 stipend disbursed in four installments over the semester. Travel and living expenses are not covered by the center.

Office space, computer, printer and telephone are provided. To apply, send a cover letter, a completed application form, a research project proposal, a curriculum vitae/resume and recommendations.

The deadline is February 1.

For more information, click here: http://shorensteincenter.org/fellowships/fellowship-application/

IJNET

Источник: http://shorensteincenter.org/fellowships/fellowship-application/

Professional and amateur photographers worldwide can participate in this contest.

CheckMySnaps is accepting entries for its photography competition, «The Elements 2013.»

The elements — fire, earth, sky and water — have formed the core of human philosophy for thousands of years. Civilizations have grown with them depending on each of these elements for their survival. Even today, we have grave environmental concerns with each of them.

This contest invites participants to submit photographic interpretations of these elements.

The top three winners will receive Amazon gift cards for US$1,000, US$500 and US$250, respectively. The top five popular entries by public votes will each receive US$50 worth of Amazon gift cards.

The submission deadline is January 16.

For more information, click here: http://www.checkmysnaps.com/contest/elements-2013-photography-contest

IJNET

Источник: http://www.checkmysnaps.com/contest/elements-2013-photography-contest

Today, on 10 December, we celebrate Human Rights Day. Standing up for Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law is the silver thread that runs through EU external relations.

This year we look back on a productive year for the EU in human rights. The EU adopted a Human Rights Strategy to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of EU human rights policy across the full range of its activities. We appointed the first EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Stavros Lambrinidis, to promote human rights through dialogue with third countries as well as international and regional organisations. The EU was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2012 in recognition of its work on reconciliation, democracy and the promotion of human rights, which helped extend the area of peace and stability across the continent. It is fitting that the presentation of this prestigious prize comes on the day of the celebration of human rights.

The theme of this year’s Human Rights Day is inclusion and the right to participate in public life. It is a particularly timely theme in light of the transitions to democracy that we are witnessing worldwide. A number of countries in our neighbourhood such as Tunisia, Libya and Egypt successfully organised democratic elections in the past year, allowing many citizens to vote freely for the first time and offering them an opportunity to participate in the decisions affecting their future. This trend towards democracy was also apparent further afield. After decades of internal repression, dramatic changes are finally taking place in Burma/Myanmar. In Somalia, we welcomed the adoption of a new provisional Constitution and in Sierra Leone, the recent elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.

Yet much remains to be done to support those who risk their lives in support of the fundamental values they believe in and in the hope of a better future for themselves and future generations. Holding elections can only be a first step towards deep democracy in which human rights take root. Rights need to be enshrined in society through law, but also through daily practice. The EU is conscious of renewed efforts by various governments to tighten restrictions on the legitimate activities of NGOs – especially but not exclusively those that receive external funding. The EU is committed to supporting the vital work of civil society. In this context, a European Endowment for Democracy has been established as one concrete expression of the EU’s commitment to support democracy in the Neighbourhood and beyond.

We believe that everyone must be free to exercise their right to equal participation. Women and young people have been at the forefront of many of the democratic movements that we have witnessed this year and have been an inspiration to people around the world. People with disabilities still face obstacles in exercising their right to participate in public life, which must be addressed. The EU is committed to work with governments around the world, through multilateral and international organisations and in a spirit of genuine partnership with civil society to support new democracies and ensure the right to inclusion and participation in public life can become a concrete reality for all.

Press and Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan