Call for the release of Egyptian human rights defender Abdelrahman 'Moka' Tarek

Index on Censorship and nine other organisations have called for the unconditional release of Abdelrahman Tarek (widely known as Moka), a human rights defender working with Al-Nedal Centre for Rights and Freedoms. His work includes defending free expression in Egypt and prisoners’ rights, especially in cases of forced disappearances. On 12 September 2021, Moka was awarded Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Award in recognition of his campaigning work. Read our joint statement here.

Oliver Bullough sued over Moneyland

Index on Censorship is extremely concerned at the lawsuit that has been filed against author and journalist Oliver Bullough. He is being sued in Portugal by the vice president of Angola for €525,000 in relation to his award-winning non-fiction book, Moneyland.

The complaint relates to questions Bullough raised in his book about how Angola’s Vice President Bornito de Sousa Baltazar Diogo could have afforded to spend USD $200,000 on custom-made bridal wear for his daughter. Read the background here. 

Banning books is a weak act

It seems surreal that in the 21^st century in Europe and in the US, we still have to make the argument for a free press and public access to literature. But since 1982 an international coalition against censorship has had to make exactly that case.

Read what our CEO Ruth Smeeth has to say about Banned Books Week.

Interpol issues arrest warrant against British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

Index on Censorship, ARTICLE 19 and Fair Trials have written to Interpol to request clarification about whether a Red Notice or Diffusion has been issued against the British journalist, Clare Rewcastle Brown. Ms Rewcastle Brown is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Sarawak Report and known for exposing high-level corruption involving the former Prime Minister of Malaysia. Read the story here.