IFEX Communique Vol 16 No 31 -- 31 July 2007

IFEX Communiqué Vol 16 No 31 -- 31 July 2007

INDEX

FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
New Wave of Anti-Terror Laws Muzzles Critics
1. El Salvador: Police Use Anti-Terror Law to Suppress Protest
2. Russia: Putin Signs in Draconian Anti-Extremism Measures
3. Philippines: New Anti-Terror Law Challenged in Court

REGIONAL NEWS:
4. Tajikistan: President Urged to Veto Internet Defamation Law
5. Indonesia: Draft Bill on General Elections Criminalises Press

UPDATES:
6. The Gambia: "Disappeared" Journalist Spotted at Local Hospital

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
7. Africa's Investigative Reporters to Unite in Johannesburg

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
8. Social and Environmental Responsibility World Journalism Prize
9. Fellowships for Threatened Scholars from Iraq

USEFUL WEBSITES:
10. singaporerebel.blogspot.com

FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

POLICE USE ANTI-TERROR LAW TO SUPPRESS PROTEST

Amnesty International is "deeply concerned" that the police improperly used new anti-terrorist legislation to punish demonstrators protesting against government plans to privatise water distribution in El Salvador.

Journalist Maria Haydee Chicas and 13 others were arrested on 2 July for committing "acts of terrorism" during a demonstration in the colonial city of Suchitoto, north of San Salvador, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), Amnesty and local news reports.

Around 100 members of community groups and NGOs blocked off several roads leading to the town prior to a visit by President Elías Antonio Saca, who was to unveil his new "National Decentralisation Policy", which activists say would privatise water distribution.

Initially peaceful, the demonstration turned violent and around 25 people were injured when the police intervened, firing tear gas and rubber bullets, reports RSF. Chicas, who works in the communications office of the Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador (Asociación de Comunidades Rurales para el Desarrollo de El Salvador, CRIPDES), and four colleagues were arrested on their way to cover the protest. Fourteen people were arrested in total, 13 of whom were sentenced on 7 July to three months of "provisional detention" - apparently to allow the public prosecutor time to gather evidence to support the terrorism, public disorder and illegal association charges.

Although Chicas, along with three others, has been conditionally released, she cannot leave the country and must report to court every two weeks, says RSF. Her trial is scheduled for October 2007, where she faces an extraordinary sentence of up to 40 years in jail.

El Salvador's Special Law against Acts of Terrorism, which came into effect last September, is modelled on the U.S.'s Patriot Act. Amnesty fears that the community leaders were arrested under the new laws to prevent future protests.

Visit these links:

- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22867
- Amnesty: http://tinyurl.com/279lla
- Common Dreams: http://tinyurl.com/yuo5gq
- "El Salvador: What Bloggers are Saying about Protesters and Terrorism" on Global Voices: http://tinyurl.com/2pmjtp

2. RUSSIA: PUTIN SIGNS IN DRACONIAN ANTI-EXTREMISM MEASURES

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hastily passed into law legislation to combat "extremism" the effect of which will be to muzzle critical voices, several IFEX members say.

The package of amendments expands the definition of extremism to include public discussion of such activity, and gives the authorities the power to suspend media outlets that do not comply with the new restrictions, according to press freedom groups the Russia-based Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and ARTICLE 19.

Proponents say the amendments are meant to address the growing nationalist and neo-Nazi movements in the country. But the press freedom groups say the laws, introduced by deputies from the ruling United Russia party, are just the latest way for the government to crack down on dissidents. "They provide Russian authorities with yet another set of tools to silence critics and chill independent news coverage in the countdown to Russia's parliamentary and presidential votes," CPJ says. Legislative elections are scheduled for December 2007 and presidential elections are set for March 2008.

According to the press freedom groups, the amendments refer to 13 aspects of extremism covered in different laws and codes. They give the authorities broader grounds to tap phones, even for suspected crimes as minor as hooliganism, CPJ says. They require journalists to mention that an organisation is "extremist" in their reports if the organisation was deemed as such by the government or the courts. Those found guilty of disseminating "extremist" material - and no definition was given as to what that constitutes - can be fined, have their production equipment confiscated or have their media outlet suspended for up to 90 days.

The amendments also include a broadening of the definition "extremism", to include "hatred or hostility towards any social group" - with no definition of "social group" - and punishable with imprisonment for up to five years, says ARTICLE 19. They also punish those who provide "public support," "help" and "appeals" for extremism, and those who "publicly justify terrorism." "Such broad language could prevent media from reporting on public officials or powerful businesspeople," says CPJ.

According to CPJ, this is the second set of anti-extremist legislation introduced in little over a year. In July 2006, Putin signed amendments that broadened the definition of extremism to include media criticism of state officials, despite concerns from media, human rights, and political opposition groups.

Visit these links:

- CPJ: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/84851/
- CPJ on July 2006 amendments: http://tinyurl.com/3dbgrw
- CJES: http://tinyurl.com/2w2q3p
- ARTICLE 19: http://tinyurl.com/2o8ys7
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=23034
- WAN: http://www.wan-press.org
- Glasnost Defense Foundation: http://tinyurl.com/3ydjw2

3. PHILIPPINES: NEW ANTI-TERROR LAW CHALLENGED IN COURT

More than 20 petitions have been filed before the Philippines Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of a new anti-terror law that came into effect on 15 July, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

The Human Security Act, passed by the Philippine Congress in February and signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in March, includes provisions for phone tapping suspects and detaining them for three days without charge. According to Human Rights Watch, the overly broad definition of terrorism - acts that "create a widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the population" - could allow the government to "transform less serious offences, such as vandalism or legitimate acts of protest, into crimes punishable by a mandatory 40-year sentence."

Despite government assurances that the law will not be used against political opponents or dissidents, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) says it remains unclear whether journalists will be considered accessories to terrorism if they interview or report the statements of terror suspects. The government has yet to issue rules on how the law should be used.

"We are concerned that the broad and vaguely defined measures of this law could be employed to harass journalists, particularly those covering violent crime, terrorism and conflict in the Philippines," says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "If the government cannot give an unqualified assurance that this law will not be used to inhibit the work of the press, then it should be repealed."

The Supreme Court has ordered President Arroyo to comment on the petitions, which were filed by various organisations and individuals, reports CMFR. The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and Counter Terrorism has also called for the law to be amended or repealed because much of it does not meet international human rights standards.

According to IFJ, President Arroyo, a vocal supporter of the US-led war on terrorism, insists the law is necessary to combat al-Qaeda-linked militants who have allegedly blown up passenger buses, telecommunications towers and power lines in the country. "It is a weapon that shall be wielded against bombers and not protesters," she said.

Visit these links:

- CMFR: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/85068/
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/asia/phil18july07na.html
- Human Rights Watch: http://tinyurl.com/2mhh93
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=5155&Language=EN

REGIONAL NEWS

4. TAJIKISTAN: PRESIDENT URGED TO VETO INTERNET DEFAMATION LAW

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling on the Tajik President to veto amendments passed by Parliament on 19 July that would include Internet publications in the country's defamation laws.

The amendments to Articles 135 and 136 of Tajikistan's penal code would criminalise defamatory statements published on websites, on top of those made in print and broadcast media. Penalties range from a fine of up to 1,000 times the minimum monthly wage to two years in prison.

According to ARTICLE 19, the defamation provisions are often applied when the media criticises politicians. "The provisions granting special protection to public officials go against the international guarantee of freedom of expression," says ARTICLE 19. "Public figures should tolerate a higher, not lower degree of criticism than ordinary citizens."

CPJ says the amendments would criminalise critical reporting and commentary on Internet news sites, including regional websites Ferghana and Centrasia, or Tajikistan-based Charogiruz and Tajikistantimes, and lead to self-censorship among contributors.

Because the Internet hasn't been formally regulated, it has been instrumental in disseminating alternative news, says ARTICLE 19. But it is still largely inaccessible to the general public due to grossly insufficient infrastructure, intermittent electricity and high costs.

Visit these links:

- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/asia/tajik26july07na.html
- ARTICLE 19 report, "The Policy of Control: The State of Freedom of Expression in Tajikistan": http://tinyurl.com/3x9vo3

5. INDONESIA: DRAFT BILL ON GENERAL ELECTIONS CRIMINALISES PRESS

On the heels of a court ruling this month that declared criminal defamation against the government unconstitutional, articles in a draft bill would criminalise news reports and journalism during general elections, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has found.

Article 260 of the draft Bill on General Elections states: "Every editor-in-chief of a print or electronic media who violates a ban on campaign reports during a cooling-off period... will be sentenced to a prison term of between three and six months and a fine of 1 million to 5 million Rupiah (US$108-$543)."

Article 103 says: "The mass media... are not allowed to publish news reports, advertisements, footage, or other forms, of participants of elections which may benefit and/or harm the participants of the elections during the cooling-off period."

The articles contrast "the effort by the press community to scrap legal articles that have the potential to criminalise news reports and journalists," AJI says. "Press freedom is needed so that the press can play the role of watchdog in monitoring the government and its workings."

AJI is now appealing to the House of Representatives to scrap the offending
articles.

Visit these links:

- AJI's alert on the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) website: http://www.seapabkk.org/
- AJI's website: http://www.aji-jakarta.org/
- "IFEX Communiqué", "Criminal Defamation against Government Ruled Unconstitutional": http://tinyurl.com/363eko

UPDATES

6. THE GAMBIA: "DISAPPEARED" JOURNALIST SPOTTED AT LOCAL HOSPITAL

A journalist who has been missing for more than a year was spotted at Gambia's main hospital, reports Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), who has focused a campaign on the case.

"Chief" Ebrima Manneh, a reporter with the pro-government newspaper "Daily Observer", was seen on 26 July at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul, where he was getting treatment for high blood pressure. He was then transferred to a military clinic nearby.

MFWA reports that in the hospital, he was in the company of personnel of the Police Intervention Unit, a paramilitary wing of the Gambian police force.

Manneh has been held incommunicado without charge or trial since July 2006 after allegedly passing on "damaging" information to a foreign journalist at the African Union Heads of State summit a week prior. According to MFWA, Manneh's colleagues witnessed his arrest by two plainclothes officers of the National Intelligence Agency, although the security force has repeatedly denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. Manneh is believed to have been detained in Mile Two Central Prison in Banjul's outskirts, after being moved from one detention centre to another in many of Gambia's police stations.

MFWA recently filed a lawsuit against the government at the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanding Manneh's release and compensation for the time he has spent in detention. A government representative failed to appear at a 16 July preliminary hearing. The next court date is scheduled for 26 September.

Visit these links:

- MFWA alerts on the Gambia: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/54/
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/africa/gambia30july07na.html

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

7. AFRICA'S INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS TO UNITE IN JOHANNESBURG

Africa's best investigative journalists are coming together on 3 September 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the first-ever pan-African Investigative Journalism Summit, organised by the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR).

At the summit, African journalists will discuss the obstacles investigative journalists face on the continent, including lack of access to information laws, publishing possibilities and editorial support. They will also explore "hot topics", such as how best to investigate social spending, resource exploitation by multinationals, and human rights violations by the courts. There are also plans to launch a new manual for investigative journalists and possible joint investigations.

Participants will also get first dibs on FAIR's Transnational Investigation team's 2007 report, "Sickening Africa: Lack of access to medication and the role of the pharmaceutical industry".

The Summit is being held in conjunction with the Power Reporting Conference organised by the University of Witwatersrands' Investigative Journalism Workshop.

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

8. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WORLD JOURNALISM PRIZE

The Social and Environmental Responsibility World Forum, in partnership with the World Editor's Forum, are looking for the three top articles pertaining to social and environmental responsibility published around the world.

The following prizes will be awarded:

- A "non-specialist" prize - open to all articles on social and environmental responsibility;

- A prize for coverage on a specific topic chosen each year by the World Forum. This year's theme is "diversity and equal opportunities";

- A prize for the best article covering the press in developing countries.

Relevant articles must be published between 1 August 2006 and 31 July 2007.

Deadline for submissions is 24 August 2007. The results will be announced a month later, on 24 September.

Winners will receive a five-day trip to France and 1,000 Euros (US$1,380). They must attend the International Meeting on Diversity and Equal Opportunity in Lille on 23-25 October 2007.

For more details, see:

- http://www.worldforum-lille.org/index.php/en/content/view/full/212 (English)
- http://www.worldforum-lille.org/index.php/fr/content/view/full/212 (French)

9. FELLOWSHIPS FOR THREATENED SCHOLARS FROM IRAQ

The Institute of International Education is inviting applications for its new Iraq Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) fellowships, which provides scholars from Iraq whose lives and work are threatened with a temporary refuge at universities and colleges around the world.

Fellows are expected to teach, research, write and publish at a host institution, and help the Institute continue educating Iraqi students both within and outside of Iraq. When conditions improve, scholars are expected to return home to help rebuild universities and societies destroyed by conflict.

Academics, established researchers and professors from Iraq in any field or discipline may apply. Preferences will be given to scholars with a Ph.D. or equivalent in their field; who have been employed in academic activities at a university, college or other higher learning institution during the past four years; who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment; and whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in Iraq and in the host country. Female scholars are encouraged to apply.

Fellowships will be awarded for up to two years, including a living stipend and relocation expenses for scholars and their families.

To apply for a fellowship or to find out more in potentially hosting an SRF Iraq fellow, contact: IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships, 809 U.N. Plaza, Second Floor, New York, New York 10017, or see: http://www.iie.org/SRF

USEFUL WEBSITES

10. SINGAPOREREBEL.BLOGSPOT.COM

"No political films, please, we're Singaporeans" is the blog of Martyn See, a Singaporean videographer who spent 15 months under police investigation for making "Singapore Rebel", a short film on leader of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Chee Soon Juan. Not surprisingly, the film was banned in Singapore, but See's words live on through his blog, http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/

Currently See's homepage is dedicated to another one of his film subjects, anti-colonial newspaper editor Said Zahari. Zahari spent 17 years in jail for defending press freedom in Singapore and has just released the Chinese edition of his autobiography "The Long Nightmare: My 17 Years As A Political Prisoner". Check out excerpts from "The Long Nightmare" along with video links to the emotional book launch in Malaysia earlier this month on the site.

Since 12 April, Singaporeans suspected of possessing or distributing copies of See's own documentary on Zahari, "Zahari's 17 Years", can be sentenced to two years in prison and heavy fines. See himself was forced to surrender all of his copies. But you can view it on Google Video here: http://tinyurl.com/2d4s8f

ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE LAST WEEK

Dear "Communiqué" readers:

Alerts issued from 23-26 July were sent to you in the form of a new information product we were piloting, the IFEX Digest. The IFEX Digest compiled the headlines of all IFEX alerts issued in the prior days of that week, together with additional submissions by IFEX members on the same stories. An archive of the IFEX Digest can be found here: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/74937

ENDS

The "IFEX Communiqué" is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 71 organisations working to defend and promote the right to free expression. IFEX is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (www.cjfe.org).

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