Press release

Azad Tribune.

Statement.

يك�سف هذا التقرير، وهو الثالث يف �سل�سلة تقارير "ك�ســر القيود" الذي يعمل االحتاد الدويل لل�شحفيني ونقابات ال�ش���حفيني يف ال�شرق االٔاو�ش���ط والعامل العربي علىن�ش���ره�ش���نويا،مرة ٔااخرىعناالنتهاكاتال�شارخة لق���وقال�ش���حفينييف ٔاارجاءال�ش���رقاالٔاو�ش���طوالعاملح العرب���ي، م���ع الرتكيز عل���ى آالي���ة ا�ش���تخدام القوانني، او ا�ش���تغاللها، واالٔانظم���ة الت�ش���ريعية لتقييد ال�ش���حفيني، أاوترهيبه���م،أاومعاقبته���معل���ى ٔاادأيهمعمله���م.تعر�ص ع�ش���رات ال�ش���حفيني يف املنطق���ة للمحاكم���ات واحلب�ص دون ٔاا�ش���ا�صقانوين، ٔااوبناءعلىأادلةملفقة،أاوا�ش���تنادا ااىل قوانني م�شممة لقمع التقارير ال�شحفية امل�شتقلة، أاوٕ لو�شعحدلرقابةاالٕاعالمعلىاداءاحلكومات، ٔااوالخماد احلوار يف احليز العام.

Joint publication.

Press release on the detention of a human rights defender.

Azad Tribune update.

Press release calling for a release of journalists in Iran.

Azad Tribune update for March 2010.

Azad Tribune update for March 2010.

Press release launching of Online Petition drive

Press release on the Universal Periodic Review of Iran.

Amicus brief on the case of the President of the Intelligence Services versus Alan Rusbridger and Gaith Salim Abd al Ahad.

ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the affiliated Iraqi journalists’ union today called on the Iraqi authorities to drop charges of defamation against the British Guardian newspaper and its journalist, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. The IFJ and ARTICLE 19 have filed a joint amicus brief to the Iraqi Appeal Court in advance of its hearing on 27 January.

Press release expressing grave concern over prison sentences handed to two Yemeni journalists by the Special Court.

ARTICLE 19 has analysed the Access to Information Draft Law proposed in late 2009 by the Temkin, a group of independent experts which includes journalists and academics, in Iraq.

This is a Memorandum analysing the Information Access Right Draft Law, developed by a group of experts, journalists and academics in Iraq, in late 2009.

ARTICLE 19 notes with concern that the Kingdom of Jordan’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, has amended the country’s Press and Publications Law to extend government control over online content.

Press release calling for a culture of transparency in the Middle East

Twenty journalists, lawyers and human rights activists from Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia met yesterday to map a way forward for free speech in the Middle East at a workshop convened by ARTICLE 19 in Amman, Jordan.

Press release on the launch of Azad Tribune.

Press release on the launch of a Unit in the police for so-called cyber crime.

Comment on the Draft Law Concerning the Information of Yemen.

Press release on the attack against a journalist and anti-corruption activist in Kuwait.

Press release on the abduction of a journalist in Yemen.

Press release urging the Human Rights Council to address free expression in Iran.

Yesterday, ARTICLE 19 provided a Submission outlining key freedom of expression issues regarding Egypt to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Submission highlights Egypt’s excessive criminal restrictions on freedom of expression, the lack of right to information legislation and the repressive system of media regulation in Egypt, as well as restrictions on freedom of assembly and association.

Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review.

Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review.

Press release on the launch of a comment on the draft Journalists’ Protection Law.

Legal analysis on the Iraqi Draft Journalists Protection Law.

ARTICLE 19 today releases its analysis of the Press Law of Lebanon and amendments to a range of domestic media laws, as proposed by the Maharat Foundation, a civil society group promoting a free press in Lebanon.

This Memorandum analyses amendments to the 1962 Press Law of Lebanon. The amendments suggest changes to a number of domestic media laws, with a view to bringing these laws into line with the latest media development and international standards of freedom of expression.

Press release concerned about reports that authorities have closed Etemad-e Melli, a leading reformist newspaper Iran.

Press release expressing concern about the deteriorating situation for media freedom in Yemen.

Press release on Iran and the escalation of attacks and censorship after elections.

Press release concerned about the deteriorating climate for free expression in Yemen and urges the authorities to investigate the kidnapping of journalist Salah Jalal, and lift the suspensions imposed on several independent publications and websites since early May.

Press release concerned that opposition candidates, contesting Iran’s presidential election on 12 June 2009, are being hampered in their campaigning by the Government’s intermittent blocking of social networking sites and closure of independent newspapers.

Press release on the release by ARTICLE 19 of a Memorandum analysing the Yemeni government’s draft Information Law.

Memorandum: Freedom of Information draft Law in Yemen offering a critique of draft legislation and suggestions for legal reform.

Press release on the siege of Yemen newspaper.

Press release calling for the Yemeni government to immediately lift all forms of censorship on the media and return confiscated newspapers.

Press release regarding the Sana’a bureau of Al Jazeera satellite channel which has recently received threats via text message.

Press release on the recent pattern of threats and attacks on journalists in Yemen.

Press release regarding the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention releasing its opinion in the case of Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer.

Press release calling for an urgent investigation into the death of blogger Omid Reza Mirsayafi.

Press release on ARTICLE 19 marking International Women’s Day on 8 March with the release of a report analysing the role and representation of women in the Yemeni media.

Report on women in the media in Yemen.

Press release concerning cases brought against three Bahraini activists in relation to their publishing activities and speeches about the political situation in Bahrain.

Press release regarding Yemeni comedian and singer Fahd al Qarni court case tomorrow on yet more charges of “insulting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh”.

Press release regarding serious concerns with the draft Broadcast Law released by the Egyptian authorities.

Statement condemning the targeting of human rights activists.

Press release on ARTICLE 19 writing to Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, asking him to ensure that women’s rights activist, Ghada Jamsheer, is protected from harassment and guaranteed her right to free expression.

ARTICLE 19 press release condemning the Israeli Military's Continued Targeting of Media Personnel in Gaza and Supports International Calls for a UN investigation into the Attacks

ARTICLE 19 press release welcoming the UN HRC resolution of 12 January which calls for “Free access of media to areas of conflict through media corridors” into Gaza and strongly condemns the IDF’s (Israeli Defence Force) targeting of media professionals there.

ARTICLE 19 press release calling upon the Israeli authorities to allow immediate and unrestricted foreign media access into the Gaza Strip in accordance with its international obligations on the right to freedom of expression and the right to access information

Press release on the continual blockade of Gaza.

Memorandum on the Draft Egyptian Broadcast Law, 2008.

ARTICLE 19 press release condemning the Israeli authorities’ decision to ban foreign journalists from entering Gaza and reporting on the worsening humanitarian crisis there.

Press release regarding the recent statement by the Bahraini Interior minister, Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdalla Al-Khalifa, reported in the local press, calling for the enforcement of Article 134 of the Bahraini Penal Code against any citizen who attends meetings, conferences or seminars abroad or meets with representatives of foreign countries, organizations or bodies to discuss the internal affairs of Bahrain, without government authorization.

Press release welcoming the presidential pardon of Ibrahim Eissa.

ARTICLE 19 press release condemning the imprisonment of 12 Syrian signatories of the 'Damascus Declaration'. Further calls are made to halt the crackdown

Letter to President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen on the deteriorating state of freedom of expression in Yemen.

Press release calling on French President Nicolas Sarkozy not to underestimate human rights violations in Tunisia as he seeks to create a Union for the Mediterranean.

Press release about ARTICLE 19 and the Yemen Female Media Forum launching a three-day training of media monitors with the aim of identifying gender biases in the Yemeni media and promoting women’s freedom of expression.

Joint press release condemning the government’s attempt to silence the Egyptian media by imprisoning three newspaper editors.

Press release expressing concern regarding the decision taken by the Egyptian State-run satellite

Petition signed by 40 civil society organisations from around the world, calling on the Human Rights Council to protect the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and reject the recent proposed amendment.

Press release welcoming Arab Human Rights organisations objection to the Arab League Charter for satellite TV.

Press release condemning the adoption of the Arab Charter for satellite TV.

Report surveying the status of freedom of expression in Yemen and shedding light on worrying violations of this right particularly targeting the media and women.

Press release expressing ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship's concern at the continued assault on press freedom in Egypt.

Paper presented on a panel on Art Legislation and Freedom of Expression as part of a larger two-day symposium on Art and Censorship.

Memorandum on the Draft Law on the Right of Access to Information, 2007.

Manual for Arab journalists on freedom of information and investigative journalism.

Press release calling for the ban on women's rights activist, Ghada Jamsheer, to be lifted. At present a restriction exists preventing her from appearing in the media, both printed and broadcast.

Press release providing an update of the Issa Ibrahim case. A further eight charges against Egyptian editor, Issa Ibrahim, were announced in court. The case has now been adjourned for three weeks.

Joint press release condemning the recent spate of prosecutions of independent media professionals in Egypt and call upon the Egyptian government to urgently improve protection of freedom of the press.

Report giving an overview of some of the progress made, and some of the areas of continuing serious concern regarding the protection and promotion of freedom of expression in Iraq.

Report on the findings from a workshop held on gender sensitive reporting in Iraq.

Press release calling for the acquittal of Al Jazeera journalist Howaida Taha, who was sentenced to six months imprisonment and forced labour in May 2007 and whose appeal will be heard this Saturday, June 16.

Memorandum analysing the 1965 Broadcasting Authority Law against international standards on freedom of expression and public service broadcasting.

Dr. Hossein Bagher Zadeh, an acclaimed journalist, human rights campaigner and political commentator, gave the following address at the Voices from Iran cultural evening hosted by ARTICLE 19’s Middle East and North Africa programme (MENA) on September 27, 2006.

This report seeks to illustrate the manner in which artistic censorship in Iran is both shaped and shapes; to demonstrate where the focus of the conflict lies between the Islamic Republic of Iran and individual expression.

Joint statement from ARTICLE 19 and Amnesty International concerning the proposed amendments to Decree No. 18 of the year 1973 of Public Meetings, Processions and Gatherings.

Article by Toby Mendel, ARTICLE 19 Law Programme Director, and Dr. Ali Khashan on the legal framework for media in Palestine. This article was originally published in This Week in Palestine (www.thisweekinpalestine.com).

Memorandum analysing the legal framework regulating the media in Iran against international standards on freedom of expression.

Joint statement by Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19 on the defamation charges brought against human rights lawyer Dr Muhamad Mugraby.

Report proposing a media policy for Iraq.

Memorandum analysing the Audiovisual Media Law (Provisional Law No. 71, 2002).

Recommendations on how to strengthen the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression (also available in Arabic through our Arabic publications page).

Comments on the draft Palestinian Law on National Council for Audiovisual.

Memorandum on Jordan's draft law on Guarantee of Access to Information.

Memorandum on Jordan's Protection of State Secrets and Documents Provisional Law No. (50)

Press release calling upon the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the parliamentary elections are conducted in a way that fully respects freedom of expression.

Memorandum analysing the draft 'Press and Publication Law' for the year 2004.

Constitutional drafting provisions on freedom of expression based on international and comparative standards (also available in Arabic through our Arabic publications page).

Memorandum analysing two drafts of the Press and Publications Law (also available in Arabic through our Arabic publications page).

Study to inform and stimulate debate around the new Iraqi constitutional provisions on freedom of expression.

Memorandum analysing the proposal for a draft law on access to information, including suggestions for improvement to increase transparency and accountability in public life.

A series of briefing notes, originally prepared for the January 2005 elections in Iraq, explaining international law and standards on freedom of expression relevant to the coverage of elections by journalists.

Guidelines govern the rules and practice relating to broadcast coverage of election campaigns, prepared for the January 2005 elections. The guidelines are based on international standards and best comparative practice.

Memorandum on three draft media regulations of Iraq: Code for Media during Elections, Interim Broadcasting Code of Practice, and Interim Media Law.

Memorandum assessing the Afghan Law on Mass Media.

Analysis of and recommendations for current media law, including rights and duties of occupying bodies, as it compares to international standards on freedom of expression and information.

Executive summmary to ARTICLE 19's analysis and recommendations on Iraq's media laws.

Memorandum analysing the Afghan Law of the Press (2002).

Declaration on promoting an independent and pluralistic media in Afghanistan.

Explanatory memorandum on the Afghan Ministry of Information policy direction with regard to the reconstruction and development of media in Afghanistan.

Open letter to Jordan's Parliament regarding its proposed Press and Publications Law.

Memorandum on the the 1995 Press Law of the Palestinian National Authority.

Advice to the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Aid on the legitimacy of custodial sanctions for defamation under international human rights law submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights.

Memorandum on Jordan's proposed 1998 Press and Publications Law.

Memorandum analysing the restrictions on press freedom present in the proposed Organic Law on Information.

Report on the effects of media censorship by an authoritarian regime; namely, the silencing of dissent and creation of a police state.

Press release about the deteriorating state of free expression in Yemen after a Yemeni court sentenced artist Fahd al-Qarni to 18 months in prison and imposed a fine of YR 500,000.