Friday, 10 December 2021

It's unequivocal—the Chinese government is committing genocide

Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images

As Human Rights Day is marked around the world, the Uyghur Tribunal in London has just announced that “beyond reasonable doubt” the Chinese government is perpetrating genocide, writes Flo Marks. Evidence proving forced sterilisation, torture, imprisonment, rape, forcible transfer and displacement and other inhumane acts are overwhelming.

Join Turkish playwright Meltem Arikan at our virtual magazine launch

How is Turkish theatre resisting censorship and oppression? Join playwright Meltem Arikan, writer Kaya Genç, and Kate Maltby for a recital and Q&A at the virtual launch of the Winter issue of Index on Censorship magazine next Monday, 13 December, 1300-1400 GMT.

In the new issue we engage with the writers, playwrights, and actors using the theatre to resist oppression and censorship. With a particular focus on Turkey, this launch event looks closer at the potential of the theatre, the impact of censorship on culture and literature, and the risks of speaking out.

Register for your free place now.

Vote for your Tyrant of the Year 2021

At the end of every year, Index on Censorship launches a campaign to focus attention on human rights defenders, artists and journalists who have been in the news headlines during the past twelve months and their oppressors.

This year, we are asking for your help in identifying the Tyrant of the Year. There is fierce competition, with many rulers choosing to use the cover of Covid to clamp down on their opponents.

Up for the award this year are (in alphabetical order): Aleksandr Lukashenka (Belarus), Ali Khameini (Iran), Bashar al-Assad (Syria), Donald Trump (USA), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (Turkmenistan), Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), Kim Jong Un (North Korea), Min Aung Hlaing (Myanmar), Mohammad Hasan Akhund (Afghanistan), Nicolas Maduro (Venezuela), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey), Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh), Teodor Obiang (Equatorial Guinea), Vladimir Putin (Russia) and Xi Jinping (China).

Register your vote here.

Index condemns the conviction of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Index on Censorship condemns the sentencing to four years in prison of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and calls for all charges to be dropped. Read our statement here.

Support Index on Censorship's ongoing work

Index on Censorship defends people's freedom to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution. We publish censored writers and artists, monitor and campaign against censorship, and encourage debate.

We rely on donations from readers and supporters. By donating to Index you help us to protect freedom of expression and to support those who are denied that right.