Police beat, detain journalists covering opposition candidates ahead of Uganda elections
Nairobi, January 7, 2021 – Ugandan security forces should stop harassing and attacking journalists, and should ensure that the press can freely cover the country’s upcoming elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since December 11, security officers have assaulted at least 10 journalists covering opposition events ahead of the country’s January 14 presidential…
Togolese journalist Carlos Ketohou detained, newspaper barred from publishing
New York, January 7, 2021 –Togolese authorities should permit the L’Indépendant Express newspaper to publish freely, and should ensure that its director, Komlanvi Ketohou, can work without fear of arrest or harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the night of December 29, armed security forces arrested Ketohou at his home in the…
Hong Kong police order media outlets to surrender information on pro-democracy candidates
Taipei, January 6, 2021 — Hong Kong authorities should cease ordering media outlets to turn over information relating to the region’s pro-democracy movement, and stop all harassment of independent outlets, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, the Hong Kong Police Force served four court orders to local news organizations, requiring them to surrender…
Photographer Abul Kalam detained in Bangladesh after documenting refugee relocation
New York, January 5, 2021 – Bangladeshi authorities should immediately release photographer Abul Kalam and allow the press to freely cover refugee issues in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 28, authorities at the Kutupalong Registered Camp, a refugee camp in the southeastern city of Cox’s Bazar, detained Kalam after…
Turkish police arrest Mezopotamya News Agency journalist Mehmet Aslan
Istanbul, January 5, 2021 – Turkish authorities should immediately release journalist Mehmet Aslan and cease harassing staffers of the Mezopotamya News Agency, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, police in Istanbul arrested Aslan, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, after raiding his home, and then transferred him to the southern city…
Belarus authorities detain at least 6 in tax investigation of local press club
New York, January 5, 2021 – Belarusian authorities should immediately release those recently detained as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion by Press Club Belarus, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 22, authorities in Minsk detained five employees of Press Club Belarus as well as Ksenia Lutskina, an independent journalist…
Vietnam sentences 3 independent journalists to more than 10 years in prison
Bangkok, January 5, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the convictions and harsh prison sentences handed down to Vietnamese journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Le Huu Minh Tuan, and called for their immediate and unconditional releases. Today, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court convicted the three journalists…
Egyptian journalist Aamer Abdelmonem detained on false news and terrorism charges, denied medication
New York, January 4, 2021 – Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Aamer Abdelmonem, and ensure that he receives proper medical treatment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 19, security officers arrested Abdelmonem, a freelance columnist who contributes to Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, from his home in Cairo, according to Al-Jazeera…
Journalist Bismillah Adel Aimaq shot and killed in Afghanistan
New York, January 4, 2021 – Afghan authorities must conduct a swift and through investigation into the killing of journalist Bismillah Adel Aimaq and take all possible steps to protect members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 1, unidentified attackers shot and killed Aimaq, the head of local broadcaster…
Moroccan authorities arrest journalist Maati Monjib
New York, December 29, 2020 – Moroccan authorities must immediately release journalist and press freedom advocate Maati Monjib, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces arrested Monjib, a contributor to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi as well as other outlets, today at a restaurant in the capital Rabat, according to a Facebook post by independent journalist and Moroccan…