Tracking cases that protect freedom of expression, association, and assembly
Topic: Freedom of press / Censorship
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Moussa Aksar Case
Journalist Moussa Aksar, editor of the newspaper L’Evénement, has been repeatedly criminalized over his reporting. He was charged on two separate occasions under Niger’s 2019 Cybercrime Law, and has appealed both cases. This Law has been widely misused to censor journalists speaking out and criticizing the government. Aksar is waiting on appeals decisions could still…
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Criminalization of Mayan Women Journalists
Anastasía Mejía Tiriquiz, an indigenous journalist, and Petrona Siy Castro, an indigenous community leader, were arrested in the context of a protest that took place on August 24, 2020 in Joyabaj, against the local mayor. After facing a criminal proceeding for the crimes of sedition, arson and aggravated assault, they were released on September 3,…
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Seydou Kaocen Maiga Case
Seydou-Kaocen Maiga, a human rights activist from Niger, posted an article on Facebook criticizing how the country’s government reacted to a terrorist attack that took place in Inates on 10 December 2019. He was arrested and criminally prosecuted for his publication.
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SERAP and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development v. National Broadcasting Commission, Minister of Information and Culture and President of Federal Republic of Nigeria
The case discusses a directive issued by Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ordering journalists and broadcast stations to stop reporting cases like terrorist activity and kidnapping, under the threat of handing out fines and other forms of punishment.
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Abuku & 4 Others v. AG Uganda and the Secretary General of the East African Community
The case discusses violations of civic space in the context of an election. A petition was filed before the East African Court of Justice in the aftermath of the 2021 Uganda General Elections, with the purpose of challenging the presidential election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, due to electoral malpractices that are deemed to be contrary…
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Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Media Institute of Southern Africa v. The Minister of State in the President’s office responsible for National Security and others
On January 14, 2019, the Zimbabwe government imposed an internet shutdown in response to protests that erupted after the president raised fuel prices by 150 percent. The shutdown lasted for a week, which prompted the NGOs Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Media Institute of Southern Africa to file a case before the High Court…