Uzbek Blogger Critical Of Government Gets Lengthy Prison Term
May 10, 2021 15:11 GMT
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XALQOBOD, Uzbekistan A court in Uzbekistan s southern Surxondaryo region has sentenced blogger Otabek Sattoriy to
6 1/2 years in prison in a high-profile extortion and slander case that has sparked harsh criticism of the country by domestic and international human rights groups.
The Muzrabot district court pronounced the ruling on May 10. Last week, a prosecutor asked the court to sentence the blogger to 11 years in prison.
The 40-year-old blogger faced a number of charges, including extortion and slander, which his supporters and rights defenders have characterized as retaliation by the authorities for his critical reporting.
Israeli security forces forcefully push out Palestinian protesters near a barrier blocking access, outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, 25 April 2021, AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images April 2021 in Middle East and North Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX s Regional Editor Naseem Tarawnah, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.
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Palestine: Apartheid, forced displacement and cyberattacks
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Proč má konflikt s Kremlem třídní rozměr | 10 5 2021 | Albín Sybera blisty.cz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from blisty.cz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
May 8, 2021
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by
“Freedom of the press is the staff of life, for any vital democracy.” – Wendell Willkie
The month of May is known for many international days; among them is World Press Freedom Day. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s General Conference.
Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing.
“Takot at galit (fear and anger).”
This is the common sentiment of most journalists since television network ABS-CBN Corporation was shut down a little more than a year ago, said Jonathan De Santos, chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
“What happened to ABS-CBN was a message to us also,” De Santos lamented.
During the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) radio program “Tanggol Karapatan” hosted by Radyo Veritas last Saturday, May 8, De Santos said that since the shutdown of ABS-CBN, members of the media have expressed “fear and anger” over the loss of thousands of jobs amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.