freedom of expression არქივი

U.S. universities move to protect students from China’s authoritarian reach

An assistant professor at Princeton University lets students use code names to shield their identities when discussing topics deemed controversial by the Chinese Communist Party. He’s not alone, says the Wall Street Journal. Why is this happening? Code names are one step U.S. universities are taking to protect foreign students from the authoritarian reach of the ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 7 October, 2020 | Topics: Education, Human Rights, News | Tags: China, freedom of expression, international security

Maduro targets journalists and doctors, new report says

The illegitimate Maduro regime has used the COVID-19 pandemic to crack down on anyone who doesn’t comply with Maduro, a Human Rights Watch report says. Since mid-March, “Venezuelan authorities have arbitrarily detained and prosecuted dozens of journalists, health care workers, human rights lawyers and political opponents who criticize the government of Nicolás Maduro,” according to HRW . The organization ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 6 October, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: civil society, corruption, freedom of expression, venezuela

China’s pattern of human rights abuse continues

Zhang Jialong, a former journalist and anti-censorship activist, faced trial in China in May after criticizing the Chinese government on Twitter. Chinese authorities reportedly charged Zhang with “ picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” He is just the latest victim of the Chinese Communist Party’s continued detention of reporters, lawyers and human rights activists as part of the ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 21 September, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: China, civil society, freedom of expression, press freedom

Report: Iran’s regime answers protests with ‘torture epidemic’

Iran’s regime arbitrarily arrested thousands of protesters following nationwide demonstrations in November 2019, torturing dozens and sentencing several to death, a new report says. Amnesty International, in a report issued September 2 , says the Iranian regime prosecuted more than 500 protesters on sham charges and describes a “torture epidemic,” including flogging, electric shocks and mock executions. “The Iranian authorities ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 21 September, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: corruption, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, Iran

Who gets to use messaging apps in Iran?

Iranian lawmakers have proposed banning all foreign-owned social messaging apps and replacing them with domestic versions run by the regime. Dozens of lawmakers have signed the August 24 proposal to create a committee to license and monitor domestic social networking sites and impose punishments of up to two years in prison for violating the new ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 17 September, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News | Tags: freedom of expression, Iran, technology

Cuba’s ‘outrageous’ bid to join the U.N. Human Rights Council

In spite of its dismal record on human rights, Cuba’s government is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2021–2023 term. “It’s outrageous that the Human Rights Council would offer to seat Cuba, a brutal dictatorship that traffics its own doctors under the guise of humanitarian missions,” Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said on August ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 1 September, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: civic equality, Cuba, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, press freedom, United Nations

Confucius Institutes advance Chinese propaganda on campuses

The People’s Republic of China must now reveal more about its role in supporting Confucius Institutes’ activities on U.S. college campuses, which include propaganda and censorship. The U.S. Department of State on August 13 designated the Washington-based headquarters of the Confucius Institute network a foreign mission of the PRC. Under the designation , the Confucius Institute U.S. Center ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 27 August, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News, News from Washington | Tags: China, freedom of expression, international security, Secretary Pompeo

U.S. sanctions leaders of China’s Hong Kong crackdown

The United States has imposed sanctions against Chinese Communist Party officials for their role in the crackdown on Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms. The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued sanctions August 7 that target Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other senior officials, including several who helped develop or implement the Hong Kong National Security Law passed ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 17 August, 2020 | Topics: News, News from Washington | Tags: China, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression

China’s economic blitzkrieg (July 20)

China’s economic blitzkrieg (July 20) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exploited global business norms to drive its economic rise. Now the CCP is using its economic power to gain leverage over nations and businesses and limit freedoms around the world. In July 16 remarks in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Attorney General William Barr detailed how the CCP is ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 20 July, 2020 | Topics: Business, Economic Affairs, Economic Issues, Key Officials, News | Tags: 5G, China, freedom of expression, intellectual property rights, international security, Trade

Authoritarian regimes’ unclear laws make anyone a suspect (July 16)

Authoritarian regimes’ unclear laws make anyone a suspect (July 16) For laws to be just, they must be clear. Citizens must know what is — and is not — against the law. Precise language helps ensure that laws are enforced fairly. But some countries take advantage of their unclear laws. The Chinese government regularly ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 16 July, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: China, freedom of expression, Iran, policing

Chinese media: Press or propagandists? (July 7)

Chinese media: Press or propagandists? (July 7) Chinese state-run news organizations would like the world to think that they are independent and trustworthy. They are not. Many of these outlets work to spread Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda around the world, and their employees effectively work for the Chinese Communist Party. That was the conclusion of Secretary of State ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 7 July, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News | Tags: China, freedom of expression, press freedom

Report: CCP conducts mass sterilization of minority women (July 6)

Report: CCP conducts mass sterilization of minority women (July 6) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is conducting a campaign of mass sterilization of women as part of its repression of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, a new report says. Using Chinese government documents and interviews with survivors, the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 6 July, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News, News from Washington | Tags: China, cultural preservation, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, Uyghurs

America’s free press offers diverse views on protests (June 29)

America’s free press offers diverse views on protests (June 29) The right to a free press is one of America’s most cherished liberties, fostering a wide-ranging discussion among citizens. When demonstrators in U.S. cities protested the May 25 death of George Floyd and other instances of police officers’ use of excessive force, America’s editors ...

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi | 29 June, 2020 | Topics: News | Tags: civic equality, civil society, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, press freedom

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