Europe & Central Asia

  
Features & Analysis
The logo of Russia's state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, is reflected in a laptop screen in February 2019. Research by Censored Planet shows how Russia has imposed its censorship model in the past seven years. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

Laws, cheap web filters arm Russia to block news, says Censored Planet

When Daniil Kislov tried to view the website of Fergana from his computer in Moscow on November 1, his browser showed him the now-familiar notification that the independent news outlet he directs had been blocked by order of Roskomnadzor, the national agency that regulates the internet in Russia, he told CPJ. Fergana has been blocked…

Read More ›

CPJ
Covers of CPJ's 'Attacks on the Press' books. Starting in 1987, the annual publication acted as a database of press freedom violations. (CPJ/Mustafa Hameed)

CPJ deepens database of attacks on the press

He couldn’t have known it at the time, but when a Moroccan court sentenced editor Mohammed al-Herd on August 4, 2003, to three years in prison, he was emblematic of a new trend, one that would accelerate and continue to the present day.

Read More ›

Alerts
The Dutch Parliament is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, on September 27, 2018. The parliament is considering legislation that could expose journalists to jail time for reporting from terrorist-controlled areas without government permission. (Reuters/Eva Plevier)

CPJ calls for modification of Dutch terrorism bill to protect press freedom

Berlin, November 4, 2019 — Dutch lawmakers should amend a bill that could expose journalists to jail time for reporting from terrorist-controlled areas without government permission, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›

Alerts
A view of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on October 9, 2019. (REUTERS/Yves Herman)

European Parliament must push for safeguards for journalists in ‘e-evidence’ proposal

Brussels, October 30, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern today that a proposed European Union regulation on law enforcement access to electronic data lacks sufficient safeguards for journalists. The Regulation on European Production and Preservation Orders is known as the “e-evidence proposal.”

Read More ›

Alerts
A police officer is seen in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on September 8, 2019. Bosnian journalist Avdo Avdić recently received death threats. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic)

Bosnian investigative journalist Avdo Avdić receives death threats

Berlin, October 29, 2019 — Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate threats made to journalist Avdo Avdić and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›

Reports

Getting Away with Murder

CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free Published October 29, 2019 Somalia is the world’s worst country for the fifth year in a row when it comes to prosecuting murderers of journalists, CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index found. War and political instability have fostered a deadly…

Read More ›

Letters

CPJ calls on Tajik president to ensure journalists can report the news freely and safely

CPJ writes to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to express serious concerns regarding threats to journalists, censorship of independent news outlets and the internet, and restrictions on accreditation of journalists in Tajikistan as the country prepares to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in 2020.

Read More ›

Alerts
Protesters clash with Spanish policemen outside El Prat airport in Barcelona on October 14, 2019, as thousands of angry protesters took to the streets after Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to jail for sedition over the failed 2017 independence bid. Scores of journalists were injured covering the protests, which continued through October 20. (AFP/Pau Barrena)

Journalists covering Catalonia demonstrations attacked, harassed by police, protesters

Berlin, October 23, 2019 — Authorities in the Spanish region of Catalonia should ensure the safety of reporters covering protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›

Statements
Inmates are seen at the Kirovskaya penal colony in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on September 2, 2019. Ukrainian journalist Stanyslav Aseyev was recently sent to a penal colony in Donetsk for a 15-year sentence. (Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko)

Donetsk militants announce 15-year ‘sentence’ for Ukrainian journalist Stanyslav Aseyev

New York, October 22, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the announcement by Russia-backed militants in eastern Ukraine that they intend to hold Stanyslav Aseyev, a reporter for the U.S.-backed broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, in a penal colony for 15 years, as reported by his employer.

Read More ›

Alerts
Law enforcement officers detain a protester in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 19, 2019. Police detained journalist Seymur Hazi in the run-up to the protests. (Reuters/Aziz Karimov)

Azerbaijani journalist Seymur Hazi detained in run-up to protests

New York, October 21, 2019 — Azerbaijani authorities should immediately release journalist Seymur Hazi, drop any charges against him, and allow him to report freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›