Just one week into 2022 and we have already seen many violations to freedom of expression, writes Index CEO Ruth Smeeth

Protesters in Kazakhstan on 4th January. Credit: Esotok 

Happy New Year!

At the start of every year, I have a renewed sense of hope – that maybe, just maybe this year will be different.  That the news won’t be filled with egregious breaches of our human rights. That our leaders will embrace their responsibilities to their citizens and that the values outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be the minimum standards adopted around the world, rather than an aspiration.

This naïve wish typically lasts until I turn the news on.

We are hardly one week into 2022 and already dozens of democratic protesters in Kazakhstan have been brutally murdered, thousands hurt and 3,000 people have been arrested for initially campaigning against the cost of fuel. Russian military forces have been deployed to put down the riots and an internet blackout implemented.

Read Ruth's article in full here. 

Media freedom continues to be hit in
Hong Kong

Filmmaker Ken Loach at the Filmoteca de Catalunya/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

We ended 2021 with a renewed attack on media freedom in Hong Kong. On 29th December, the offices of Hong Kong media outlet StandNews were raided and six individuals linked to it were arrested. The arrests came one day after Jimmy Lai, former owner of Apple Daily and six former Apple Daily journalists were hit with the new charges of “conspiracy to ‘print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications.” Please read our statement here.

Sadly 2022 has not started on a better note. This Tuesday pro-democracy and independent news website Citizen News announced its closure. It stated a "deteriorating media environment" as the reason. 

We will continue to shine a light on media freedom violations in Hong Kong this year. For a story with some hope though please read our interview with Hong Kong activist Nathan Law from the winter magazine here. 

Only days left to vote for the 2021
Tyrant of the Year

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.

In 2021 we asked for your help in identifying the Tyrant of the Year. The deadline to cast your vote is 14th January. 

Register your vote here.

Heart-breaking letters from Lukashenka's prisoners in Belarus

Illustration: Natasha Garlukovich

One of our most hard-hitting campaigns from last year was one which saw us publish censored letters from political prisoners held in Belarus following the disputed re-election of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The letters came from students, clothing designers, artists and politicans and show that despite the harsh conditions in which they are being held, their spirits remain unbroken. Read the heart-rending words sent to the loved ones of those who have dared protest against the Belarusian regime.

Index Chair Trevor Phillips honoured with knighthood

We were very pleased to receive the news at the start of the year that Trevor Phillips, Chair of Index on Censorship, was honoured with a knighthood in the New Year Honours 2022. Read more here.