Press release.

UPR Submission

The recent death of two environmental journalists, Ardiansyah Matra'is in Papua and Muhammad Syaifullah in Kalimantan, and the series of threats received by at least four local journalists in the run-up to local elections in Papua, underlines the intense pressure faced by journalists when covering environmental degradation and local politics in Indonesia.

Press release.

ARTICLE 19 and Freedom Forum have outlined their concerns about the failure of the government of Nepal to protect the right to freedom of expression in a Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC). The Submission, filed in preparation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal at the tenth session of the Working Group on the UPR (January 2011), describes the current challenges to freedom of expression and freedom of information in Nepal, and highlights the perilous environment journalists and media workers operate in.

Given the expertise and scope of activities of ARTICLE 19 and Freedom Forum, this submission focuses on Nepal’s compliance with its international human rights obligations in protecting the right to freedom of expression and right to freedom of information.

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Indonesian police to carry out an impartial and thorough investigation into the attack on Tempo Magazine's office in Jakarta and to ensure that journalists can operate in a safe environment.

Given the expertise and scope of activities of ARTICLE 19 and Freedom Forum, this submission focuses on Nepal’s compliance with its international human rights obligations in protecting the right to freedom of expression and right to freedom of information.

Press release.

Press release.

Press release.

Press release on the closing down of the National League for Democracy offices in Burma.

Press release on a court decision in Indonesia.

Press release on "Defamation of Religions" laws in Indonesia.

PUBLIC AMICUS BRIEF BY ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign For Free Expression, Amnesty International, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.

Press release on the journalism award given to an ARTICLE 19 Fellow.

Press release on the comments by Aung San Suu Kyi regarding the upcoming elections.

ARTICLE 19 condemns the conviction today of four Vietnamese pro-democracy activists, including leading human rights lawyer, Le Cong Dinh. ARTICLE 19 also expresses its grave concern about increasing repression of activists and an accompanying clampdown on freedom of expression in Vietnam, ahead of the Communist Party congress due to take place next year.

Press release regarding the decriminalisation of defamation in the Maldives.

Report on Assessment of Media Development in the Maldives.

Press release on the killing of 13 journalists in the Philippines.

Press release on the threats against two editors in Sri Lanka.

ARTICLE 19, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and Freedom Forum (FF) strongly condemn the Government of Nepal’s intentions to use journalists as informants, to help implement its Special Security Plan.

ARTICLE 19 has called on the Government of Bangladesh to promote greater public engagement with people living in environmentally vulnerable areas.

Press release on the publication of a legal analysis.

Resolution on National Policy for Mass Communication.

Comment on the Draft National Policy on Mass Communication for Timor Leste.

National Policy on Mass Communication for Timor Leste.

Press release on the failure of Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal.

Press release on the publication of a Comment on the Cambodian draft Penal Code.

Comment on the draft Penal Code of Cambodia.

Draft Penal Code provisions that may affect freedom of speech.

Statement on the death of Afghan journalist Sultan Munadi.

Press release on the death threats to the executive director of a leading Sri Lankan think-tank and democracy NGO.

Press release on the verdict of the court case against Aung San Suu Kyi.

Press release on the launch of Simmering Under Ashes, a new publication and micro-site that explores how artists examine and challenge the situation in Burma.

Press release on the impact of defamation law on freedom of expression in Thailand.

Report on the impact of defamation on freedom of expression in Thailand.

Press release on the deteriorating press freedom in Sri Lanka.

Letter to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the International Press Freedom Mission.

Press release on Aung San Suu Kyi's upcoming 64th birthday.

Press release on the detention leading Vietnamese human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh.

Press release regarding the first criminal defamation case since the inauguration of the new president.

Press release on the occasion of World Environment Day, ARTICLE 19 and its partners in Bangladesh call on the Bangladesh government to take urgent action to improve strategies for public awareness and consultation around climate change.

Draft Law on Access to Information in Vietnam.

Press release congratulating the new prime minister of Nepal, and calling on the government to take decisive steps around freedom of expression.

Letter to the European Union Presidency regarding the upcoming EU-China Summit, calling for the EU to ask China to support a call to free Aung San Suu Kyi.

Press release on the Government of Bangladesh committing to issuing licenses for community radio stations.

Press release on the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Press release on ARTICLE 19's support to the Vietnamese government in the drafting of new legislation on the right to information.

Memorandum on the Draft Law on Access to Information in Vietnam.

Vietnam: Law on Access to Information.

Press release on the rejection of Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal.

Press release on the launch of a handbook on the 2009 Right to Information Act on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2009.

Press release on mass awareness campaign for the right to access information.

Press release concern over the ten year prison sentence given to Thai blogger Suwicha Thakhor.

Press release regarding amendments to Nepal’s Regulation on Film (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) 2057 (2001 AD).

Press release welcoming the opinion of the expert body of the UN announcing the irrefutable illegality of imprisoning democratically-elected Aung San Suu Kyi, and calling on the Burmese military regime to release her.

Press release on the preparation a Memorandum assessing the compatibility of a set of five draft laws on media regulation and the right to information.

Job Description for the post of Programme Officer Asia

Draft Laws Regulating Journalists, the Media and the Right to Information in Timor Leste.

Press release on the request to the Human Rights Council to investigate cases of serious violations of journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka under the cloak of countering terrorism.

Joint statement on the situation in Sri Lanka.

Press release on the one year anniversary of the imprisonment of Sri Lankan journalist Tissainayagam.

Joint press release on the one year anniversary of the imprisonment of Sri Lankan journalist Tissainayagam.

Press release welcoming the release of prisoners but also noting Burma's blockade of the ASEAN human rights body.

Press release on the award of 12 fellowships to women journalists in Bangladesh to enable them to investigate issues relevant to their local communities.

Statement regarding the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission (also known as the International Media Mission) visited Nepal from 5 to 8 February to undertake a rapid response assessment of the press freedom situation in the country.

नेपालमा अभिव्यत्कि स्वतन्त्रताको अधिकार र परिवर्तनका कार्यसुची

Press release regarding Lasantha Wickrematunga, Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader, and his murder as he drove to work in Colombo on 8 January 2009.

Publication on the Agenda for Change: The Right to Freedom of Expression in Nepal.

Statement on the increasing undermining of a free media in Nepal.

Statement on the deteriorating situation in Burma.

Statement on the 250th day of detention of the journalist and human rights activist JS Tissainayagam.

ARTICLE 19 press release detailing its efforts along with several partners to urge the Bangladesh government to take immediate steps to establish the Information Commission

ARTICLE 19 press release welcoming the Bangladesh Right to Information Ordinance No. 50 of 2008 that was published in the Bangladesh Gazette on 20 October.

Press release on the issuing of a set of Comments on the document “Important Points for Social Communication Law” (Points) produced by the Legislation Committee for Social Communication (KOLKOS) of Timor Leste.

This Comment summarises ARTICLE 19’s main observations on the document “Important Points for Social Communication Law” produced by the Legislation Committee for Social Communication (KOLKOS) of Timor Leste.

Press release on the new government in Kathmandu implementing a new strategy for dealing with Tibetan protesters: threat of expulsion from Nepal.

Statement on the need for the case of Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainyagam to be tried without delay, and for due process of law to be followed.

Press release calling on the Bangladesh government to release the final draft of the Right to Information Ordinance 2008.

Press release calling on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to intercede on behalf of former journalist Ahmed Ghous Zalmai and Mullah Qari Mushtaq, who were sentenced yesterday by a Kabul court to 20 years in prison for publishing a Dari translation of the Koran. Dari is the Farsi (Persian) dialect spoken in Afghanistan.

Press release commemorating the events of 8888.

Statement on broken promises regarding the Olympics by the Chinese government.

Press release on the mounting reports that the Chinese government have limited access to information for journalists.

Press release on ARTICLE 19's participation in an Indonesian defamation court case.

Press release condemning the attacks on Nepalese journalists and activists during the weekend strikes and calling for the government to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

Press release welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision to release three protestors of Tibetan origin being detained for their involvement in organising daily protests against the Chinese regime, which have been increasing in the count down to the Olympics.

Press release condemning the arrest and prolonged detention without charge and without bail of two Greenpeace campaigners who exposed alleged embezzlement in the Japanese government-sponsored whaling programme in the Southern Ocean

Press release welcoming the government's decision to approve a Right to Information Ordinance.

Statement on the occasion of Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd birthday.

A Tetun translation of ARTICLE 19's international standard "A Model Freedom of Information Law".

A Tetun translation of ARTICLE 19's international standard “Johannesburg Principles: Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.”

Memorandum on the Nepali Regulation on Right to Information, 2008.

Press release condemning the military Junta's renewed detention of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the arrest of twenty protestors who were calling for her release.

Press release highlighting progress of ARTICLE 19's Agenda for Change project in Nepal.

Letter to the Prime Minister of China expressing concern over the detention of a journalist for reporting on official corruption.

Press release condemning the Junta's attempts to suppress information on the manifest humanitarian disaster ahead of the UN Secretary General’s visit.

Conference paper delivered by ARTICLE 19's Law Programme Director, Toby Mendel at an international seminar on defamation held in Indonesia in May 2008.

Joint submission by ARTICLE 19, SUPRO, Mass Line Media (MMC) and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) providing an analysis of Bangladesh’s (Draft) Right to Information Ordinance 2008.

Press release regarding the hosting of a major conference yesterday in Kathmandu launching the joint publication, An Agenda for Change: The Right to Freedom of Expression in Nepal.

Joint legal analysis by ARTICLE 19, the Federation of Nepali Journalists and Freedom Forum of Nepal’s Right to Information Act based on international law and best practice in the field of freedom of information.

Background paper on freedom of expression and commercial issues, produced as part of ARTICLE 19’s “Agenda for Change” project, which aims to establish a process for media legislation reform in Nepal in close consultation with media stakeholders.

Background paper on freedom of information, produced as part of ARTICLE 19’s “Agenda for Change” project, which aims to establish a process for media legislation reform in Nepal in close consultation with media stakeholders.

Background paper on content restrictions, produced as part of ARTICLE 19’s “Agenda for Change” project, which aims to establish a process for media legislation reform in Nepal in close consultation with media stakeholders.

Background paper on freedom of expression guarantees and regulation of the media, produced as part of ARTICLE 19’s “Agenda for Change” project, which aims to establish a process for media legislation reform in Nepal in close consultation with media stakeholders.

Statement from the International Press Freedom Mission to Nepal of which ARTICLE 19 is a member. The statement raises serious concerns about press freedom violations taking place throughout the country.

Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review on Indonesia.

Report, entitled "The Mechanics of Censorship", analysing the print media legislation of the People's Republic of China against international standards on freedom of expression.

Joint submission from ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Policy Alternatives to the Sri Lanka Ministry of Mass Media and Information on the proposed National Media Policy.

Memorandum examining the draft Thai Public Service Broadcasting Service Agency Act in the light of international standards.

Note summarising ARTICLE 19’s main comments on the draft Measure for Public Environmental Participation. The note focuses on the provisions in the Measures that relate to the disclosure of information.

Memorandum on the draft Computer-Related Offences Commission Act currently being developed by the Thai authorities.

Presentation to the Religious and Cultural Affairs Commission of the Afghan National Assembly on the development of freedom of expression principles and the draft media law.

Pocketbook offering a bird's eye view of international law and standards on freedom of expression and international mechanisms for the enforcement of the right.

Note summarising ARTICLE 19's principal concerns with the Draft Broadcasting Bill of the Maldives.

A comment on the freedom of expression and information provisions in the 2007 Interim Constitution of Nepal. Also available in Nepali at http://www.article19.org/pdfs/analysis/nepal-interim-constitution-nepali.pdf

Findings of the October 2006 mission undertaken by the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka.

Report by ARTICLE 19 and the Center for Independent Journalism examining the level of access to environmental information in Malaysia.

Legal analysis of Kazakhstan's draft 2006 Law 'On Publishing'.

Report into the Health and Human Rights in Burma. Outlines the relationship between health in a society under censorship, as well as covering the the effects of war on Burmas Human Rights situation.

Analysis of Nepal's draft Right to Information Bill – 2063 against international standards in the area of access to information.

Analysis of the draft Media Bill for the Cook Islands, proposed in November 2006.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Access to Information against international standards.

Statement produced by the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission giving an assessment of the current media situation in the country and the impact of the escalation in fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the media.

Read our October update on freedom of expression in Asia including special features on Religion & Censorship and Information Vs Secrecy.

Memorandum analysing Kazakhstan’s Law on Mass Media, as amended in July 2006.

This Submission sets out the observations and recommendations of the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal to the High Level Media Commission.

Submission analysing the proposed Fijian Broadcast Licensing Bill 2006, No. 10 of 2006 (the Bill), and providing recommendations for reform throughout.

Memorandum on the Defamation Bill for the Republic of the Maldives.

Report of the fact-finding mission to the Maldives undertaken from 3 to 7 May 2006 by ARTICLE 19 and 4 free press organisations.

Memorandum on Malaysia's Press Council Bill of 2006.

Summary of concerns with regard to proposed amendments to Kazakhstan's media laws.

Baseline study on media freedom in Cambodia, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries. June 2006 revision edition.

Comment comparing the draft Law on Freedom of Information of Mongolia to international law and standards.

Statement by the International Press Freedom Mission deploring frequent attacks against media professionals and dissenting voices in the Maldives.

Memorandum analysing the Maldives Freedom of Press Bill against international standards on freedom of expression.

Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission on its review of the 'sedition' provisions enacted in November 2005.

Submission to the Committee on the Review of Public Service Broadcasting in Hong Kong, recommending that Radio Television Hong Kong be reestablished as an independent broadcaster, governed by a board that represents the people of Hong Kong.

Baseline study on media freedom in Malaysia, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Baseline study on media freedom in the Philippines, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Baseline study on media freedom in Singapore, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Baseline study on media freedom in Thailand, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Baseline study on media freedom in Indonesia, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Baseline study on media freedom in Timor Leste, as part of a series of seven such studies on Southeast Asian countries.

Statement on Google's decision to cooperate with the authorities in censoring the Chinese version of its search engine.

Memornadum on the Ordinance Amending Some of the Nepal Acts Relating to the Media, 2062 (2005)

Press release containing a statement by the 'International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal'.

Memorandum on the Ordinance Amending Some of the NepalAct Relating to the Media, 2062 (2005).

Commentary on a set of regulations issued by Kazakhstan's Agency for Information and Communication regarding the allocation of .kz domain names.

Note examining relations between courts and media in response to a discussion paper produced by a joint committee of media and judicial representatives.

A summary of concerns regarding the Kyrgyz defamation law, the Kyrgyz Media Law and the Law on Journalists Activities

Memorandum on Kyrgyz Mass Media Law and the Law on Journalists' Activities.

Memorandum on the Laws of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan relating to the Protection of Reputation.

Report on the consequences of armed conflict in South Asia for freedom of expression.

An analysis of the deterioration of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.

Brief in support of Ms. Supinya Klangnarong, a media reform advocate prosecuted for defamation after she alleged that a major Thai media company had benefited from its close relationship to the prime minister.

Memorandum on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat's draft Information Disclosure Policy.

From 10 to 16 July, ARTICLE 19 participated in an international press freedom and freedom of expression mission to Nepal with eleven other international organisations to raise our concerns on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, following King Gyanendra’s seizure of power on 1 February 2005.

Memorandum on the draft Law of Kyrgyzstan on Broadcasting

Thirteenth joint annual report of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and ARTICLE 19 on the new challenges to freedom of expression since the handover of sovereignty to China in July 1997.

Report illustrating the importance of information in disaster relief operations.

Memorandum analysing the defamation provisions in the Penal and Civil Codes for compliance with international standards.

Memorandum analysing the existing Cambodian Law on the Press for compliance with international law and standards.

Memorandum on Thailand's criminal and civil defamation provisions.

Memorandum analysing the Official Secrets Act 1972 against international standards on the right to freedom of expression.

Note commenting on two proposals, one by Internews-Kazakhstan and one by Adil Soz, for legislative reform relating to mass media.

Memorandum analysing the current criminal and civil defamation provisions of the Criminal and Civil Codes for compliance with international standards.

Presentation on international defamation standards for the Jakarta Conference on Defamation, 28-29 July 2004, Indonesia.

Memorandum analysing the Law on Protection of State Secrets and its failure to mitigate concerns regarding the restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information.

Memorandum analysing the Law on Principles of and Guarantees for Freedom of Information (also available in Russian through our Russian publications page).

Memorandum analysing the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Mass Media, passed by the legislature in 1997 (also available in Russian through our Russian publications page).

Twelfth joint annual report by the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and ARTICLE 19 on recent developments and trends concerning freedom of expression in Chinese-administered Hong Kong.

Memorandum analysing the Working Paper on the Proposed Right to Information Act 2002, which was circulated for comment in 2002-2003.

Memorandum analysing the second draft 'Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Mass Media' with regards to its compliance with international standards on freedom of expression.

Note analysing Press Law No. 40 of 1999 in the context of proposals to prepare a new, separate press law for East Timor.

Memorandum analysing the draft Public Information Act prepared by the Nepalese Law Reform Commission in 2003.

Comments on Draft Philippine Freedom of Information Law.

Comments on the draft Sri Lankan Freedom of Information Law.

Letter with recommendations to increase transparency in the Policy on Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information.

Memorandum on Kazakhstan's Draft Law "Concerning Mass Media".

Note on the draft Freedom of Information Rules for implementing the Pakistani Freedom of Information Ordiance.

Memorandum analysing the Media Council Bill, circulated by the Fijian Minister of Information for public comment.

Memorandum on the Law of Mongolia on Freedom of Information.

Submission on contempt of court in Sri Lanka: recommendations for codification.

Memorandum on the Malaysian Sedition Act of 1948.

Memorandum on the Broadcasting Ordinance 1976 of the Solomon Islands.

Memorandum on the Malaysian draft Media Council Act of 2002 and the Media Council (Procedure for Inquiry) Regulations.

Memorandum on Russian Federal Draft Law "On Mass Media".

Memorandum on the draft Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on “Principles and Guarantees of Freedom of Information”.

Note on the draft law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Mass Media.

Memorandum on the laws of Tajikistan regulating mass media.

Memorandum on the Amendments to the Russian Federal Laws on Mass Media and Combating Terrorism.

Memorandum on Indonesia's draft broadcasting bill.

Memorandum on the Federal Government of Pakistan’s Freedom of Information Ordinance.

Memorandum on the Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance, 2002; the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002; and the Defamation Ordinance, 2002.

Memorandum on Kazakhstan's draft Law on Advertising.

Memorandum on Kazakhstan's Laws Regulating Mass Media.

Tenth joint annual report by the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and ARTICLE 19 on the state of freedom of expression in Hong Kong, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the handover of the territory from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China in 1997.

Memorandum on the Law of Mongolia on Public Radio and Television

Note on the draft Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor of 9 February 2002, focusing on provisions affecting freedom of expression.

Statement on the Election Commission Guidelines to the State and Private Media in Sri Lanka.

OSCE review of the legal framework for media coverage of elections in Kazakhstan.

Report on the legal framework for media coverage of elections in Kazakhstan.

Memorandum on Russian Regional Media Regulations.

Memorandum on the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka's Official Freedom of Information Act, 2001.

Note on the draft Regulation on Broadcasting in Timor Leste.

Ninth joint annual report on the state of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. The year under review has been dominated by the question of how the SAR government deals with the Falun Gong, the spiritual movement banned by the authorities in China.

This survey looks at significant developments at the international level towards recognising the right to information. The survey includes case studies on India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Memorandum on India's Freedom of Information Bill of July 2000.

Memorandum on the he Federal Government of Pakistan’s Ordinance to provide for transparency and freedom of information.

Written comments submitted by ARTICLE 19 on national security and public order restrictions on freedom of expression.

Report reviewing the various laws and other measures which have progressively eroded the right to freedom of expression in Burma over more than three decades.

Memorandum analysing the draft Freedom of Information Bill 1998 and supporting its demonstrated commitment to open government, democracy, and human rights.

Report examining the impact of the conflict on freedom of expression and in particular media freedom in Sri Lanka.

A collaborative report by ARTICLE 19 and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development looking at the limitations of FoI in Indonesia in the run up to the parliamentary elections.

Report providing an overview of recent acts of censorship – both formal and informal – in the context of the conflict in the North East and the political process in the South.

Report examining the legal measures taken since 1988 by the State Law and Order Restoration Council in an attempt to legitimise its authority.

Report on freedom of expression and the right to health in Burma.

A report with the purpose of exploring questions abouth the role of the broadcast media in Indonesia.

Report providing an in depth study of censorship and the conflict in Sri Lanka since March 1995.

Report charting the conflicting ideology of a country which, in the midst of increasingly rapid economic change, promises to move towards democracy yet remains one of the most secretive in the world.

This report is intended as a constructive and effective contribution to the cause of freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. It sets out recommendations for reforms which ARTICLE 19 believes are vital if freedom of expression is to be allowed to flourish in Sri Lanka in the future.

Report on freedom of expression and the environment in Burma.

Report on the Burmese government's brutal suppression of the right to academic freedom and how this raises fundamental questions about all aspects of the right to freedom of expression in Burma.

A report documenting the history, traditions, laws and practice of censorship in Burma/Myanmar since 1962, when a military coup brought General Ne Win to power and ended the Parliamentary era.

आर्टिकल १९ को परिवर्तनका विषयवस्तु' परियोजनाको एक भागका रुपमा तयार पारिएको अभिव्यक्ति स्वतन्त्रताको प्रत्याभूती तथा सञ्चारमाध्यमको नियमनसम्बन्धी आधारपत्र। यस परियोजनाको उद्देश्य सरोकारहरुसंगको सहभागितामा नेपालमा सञ्चारक्षेत्रसम्बन्धी कानुनमा सुधारको प्रकृया स्थापित गर्नु हो