State control

Fiji: Media Groping in the Dark

Two weeks since the proclamation of the 30-day state of emergency, scores of Fijian media and social movements continue to grope in the dark, performing their duties albeit with extreme caution.

UPDATE: Iran: Ten Activists Released and Two Remain in Detention

Ten of the twelve women’s rights activists detained last week as they were planning private New Year visits have been released on bail. Two of them however, Khadijeh Moghadam and Mahboubeh Karami, remain in Evin prison.

Iran: Twelve Women’s Rights Activists Arrested for Planned New Years Visit

Ten of those arrested are members of the One Million Signatures Campaign. The activists were arrested on 26 March 2009, on Sohrevardi Avenue in Tehran, while meeting up to go for New Years visits of families of imprisoned social and political activists.

UPDATE: Kyrgyzstan: Tolekan Ismailova Released from Detention

Women's Learning Partnership is pleased to share that Tolekan Ismailova was released after a local tribunal found she had not violated laws of public assembly.

Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Activist Arrested During Peaceful Gathering

Tolekan Ismailova, Director of WLP Kyrgyzstan/Human Rights Center "Citizens Against Corruption" was among at least four people who were detained in Bishkek on March 18.

Bahrain: Discrimination and sectarian oppression on the rise

The percentage of Shiite representatives in the country's institutions is on the decline. In the year 2003 the figure was 18%; it now stands at 13%.

Azerbaïdjan: Accusations contre la défenseuse des droits humains Leyla Yunus

Front Line est profondément préoccupée suite aux accusations infondées qui auraient été proférées contre Leyla Yunus par le Ministre azerbaïdjanais de l’Intérieur, Ramil Usubov.

Macédoine : La liberté religieuse, le foulard et du droit à l’éducation

La loi n’interdit pas formellement le port d’insigne religieux dans les écoles.

Iran: Call for immediate release of Alieh Eghdamdoust

Dozens of women’s and human rights groups condemn the recent arrest and imprisonment of Iranian women’s rights activist Alieh Eghdamdoust. She will serve a sentence of three years imprisonment for participating in a lawful and peaceful demonstration in June 2006/1385 in Haft-e Tir Square in Tehran.

Iran: Women's Rights Movement and Free Media under Attack

Repression like this breeds resistance in Iran and is gaining recognition around the world.