“The situation in Cuba,” writes Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, “is identical to that of apartheid South Africa.” In his column, the Cuban writer looks at Nelson Mandela’s relationship with Fidel Castro in spite of the Cuba’s human rights violations and undemocratic political system.
Read more...
On November 15, the Chinese Communist Party finally abolished its notorious system of labor camps called laojiao (reeducation through labor). While Chinese human rights activists welcome the news, they also called for the banning of ‘black jails and other rogue camouflaged measures of laojiao.’
Read more...
This week: Myanmar pledges to free political prisoners, Somalia puts age restrictions on journalists, and Turkey journalists abused by police.
Read more...
The International Press Freedom Awards is “an annual recognition of courageous journalism” hosted by the CPJ. Today there are a record 179 journalists in prison.
Read more...
Exiled journalist Mesfin Negash writes a letter to Kaliti, one of Ethiopia’s most notorious prisons, and asks if it can ever be redeemed.
Read more...
For eight months Ethiopian Muslims have been protesting against the government’s interference in the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council. Journalist Mesfin Negash examines the ways in which the government has suppressed protesters and religious freedom.
Read more...
In this week’s “Blind Chess” column, Independent Chinese PEN Center president Tienchi Martin-Liao reflects on the ancient practices of “literary inquisition” and “kin liability” and how these practices are still relevant in China today.
Read more...
