Blog Archives

Khadija Ismayilova released from prison in Azerbaijan

5/25/2016

Today (May 25) the Fahmy Foundation welcomed the news that journalist Khadija Ismayilova was released from prison in Azerbaijan.

The Supreme Court in Azerbaijan acquitted Khadija of two of the four charges she was accused of, and reduced her sentence for the remaining two charges to conditional release and probation for five years.

Khadija's lawyer Amal Clooney stated in a press release:

“Today we can all celebrate the fact that an innocent young woman has been freed. Khadija is a talented journalist who was instrumental in exposing corruption in her country. Her release is a victory for all journalists who dare to speak truth to power...Khadija deserves full acknowledgment of her innocence and should be allowed to resume her work as a journalist without further harassment by the government”.

Co-counsel Nani Jansen added: “Khadija is a courageous investigative journalist who should never have been imprisoned. Her release is a significant and telling gesture by the Azerbaijani courts, which demonstrates in no uncertain terms that her detention was unjustified”.

Numerous human rights organizations and activists called for Khadija's release from prison. Plans were in place to host 40 protests in 40 cities on Friday, May 27 (Khadija's 40th birthday).

Looking back: The Fahmy Foundation's first year

5/22/2016

Since being established in March, 2015, The Fahmy Foundation continues to be a powerful and effective advocate for journalists and prisoners of conscience overseas.

Founded by journalist Mohamed Fahmy and his wife Marwa Omara, the Fahmy Foundation works to champion free speech and fight suppression of the press around the world.

The Foundation began their advocacy campaigns by calling for support for imprisoned journalists and prisoners of conscience, including journalist Khadija Ismayilova, photojournalist Shawkan, and many more.

On May 3, 2015, the Foundation hosted a Free Press Rally for World Press Freedom Day. It was the first of its kind held in Vancouver, BC, and featured noted speakers, included Emmy-award winning journalist Peter Klein, and a family member of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian (imprisoned in Iran at that time).

During the past year, the Fahmy Foundation has been at the front lines of advocacy for Canadians detained overseas, working with Amnesty International (Canada) to propose a Protection Charter. In January, the Charter was presented in Ottawa with national media coverage.

Containing recommendations for practices, policies and legal reform, the Charter details twelve key areas to improve the Canadian government's actions to provide assistance and intervene for those imprisoned or detained in other countries.

In May, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion announced that Canada is prepared to sign the U.N.'s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (one of the recommendations listed in the Protection Charter).

Partnerships with organizations like Amnesty International (Canada), the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, World Press Freedom Day, and coach Claire Higgins are an important component of the Foundation's work, both nationally and internationally.

This year, the Fahmy Foundation also established an Emergency Fund to provide essential aid and financial support to those in need, contributing support to journalists and prisoners of conscience like Woubshet Taye.

As well, the Foundation was grateful to celebrate the releases of journalist Jason Rezaian (imprisoned in Iran), poet Mohammed Al-Ajami (imprisoned in Qatar), and cartoonist Atena Farghadani (imprisoned in Iran).

Currently, the Foundation is working hard to raise awareness for eight journalists and prisoners of conscience jailed overseas: Ahmed Naji, Austin Tice, Khadija Ismayilova, Can Dündar, Raif Bawadi, Ashraf Fayadh, Woubshet Taye, and Shawkan.

Show your support! Please donate to continue and expand our important work around the world.

Liberals consider legislation to support Canadians in trouble overseas

5/20/2016

Omar Alghabra, the parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs with responsibilities for consular affairs, says that he is considering legislation to ensure that all Canadians in need of assistance overseas are treated equally by government officials.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Alghabra stated: "There are very difficult situations and cases where you want to do everything you can...Ultimately, our goal is to enhance the assistance."

In the interview, Alghabra refers directly to the Protection Charter (an initiative presented in Ottawa this year by the Fahmy Foundation and Amnesty International Canada).

"The department and I are examining that option and, obviously, there are arguments on both sides, but I feel it is a worthy proposition that needs careful and thoughtful examination," stated Alghabra.

According to Global Affairs Canada, approximately 1,437 Canadians are currently detained abroad.

Canada drops 10 points in 2016 Press Freedom Index

5/14/2016

In April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) listed Canada in 18th place in their annual World Press Freedom Index, a drop of 10 points since 2015.

This drop corresponds to the tenure of former Canadian PM Stephen Harper, described as a “dark age” for journalism in Canada.

The report, released on April 20, 2016, highlights how the Canadian public’s right to know was systematically undermined by the previous federal government’s focus on secrecy and control.

The report described a “deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels,” The report notes that new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has advocated for freedom of the press, but “only time will tell” if these promises are upheld.

Canadian reporter recognized with World Press Freedom Award

5/14/2016

On May 3, Vice Media’s Ben Makuch was honoured with the 2016 Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom Award.

Reporting on Canadian national security issues, Makuch has been fighting the RCMP in Canadian courts, after they demanded access to background materials from his contact with an alleged ISIS member in Canada.

In March, Ontario Superior Court ruled that Makuch and Vice Media were required to hand over these records to the RCMP.

Makuch and Vice Media continue to fight this ruling. Makuch stated to CBC News, "...if we're going to be made an investigative arm of the police, it's going to change how we newsgather...It's also going to change how sources interact with us."

A coalition of media and free press organizations, including Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), announced recently that they will be submitting a "legal intervention" on this case to Canadian courts. In a statement, CJFE noted that the recent ruling "sets a precedent that has...wide-ranging implications for press freedom and the integrity of journalism in Canada".

Ahmed Naji honoured with PEN America Award

5/3/2016

Guest post by Albert Joseph Van Santvoort

Imprisoned Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji will be honoured with the PEN America Freedom To Write Award on May 16. To bring attention to Naji’s unjust imprisonment, PEN America will celebrate Naji’s work at the annual Literacy Gala in New York.

“The award is the highest honour we give to a writer in prison,” says Katy Bass, a representative of PEN America. “It’s meant to honour a writer who has fought for their right to free expression in the face of adversity.”

Sentenced to two years in prison for writing a novel containing sexual content, Naji was convicted by a northern Cairo court for “harming public modesty” and received the maximum sentence. Sentenced in February 2016, Naji was arrested after a private citizen lodged a complaint when excerpts of Naji’s novel Istikdam al-Haya (“Use of Life”) were published in the magazine Akhbar al-Adab.

While Egypt has made symbolic and legal commitments to the right of free expression on both a national and global scale, and Egypt’s constitution establishes free speech as a right and solidifies this guarantee in a number of international treaties, Naji’s imprisonment is a sobering reality check.

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Imprisoned journalist Khadija Ismayilova honoured for World Press Freedom Day

5/1/2016

This week, imprisoned journalist Khadija Ismayilova will be honoured with the annual UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in recognition for her contributions to freedom of the press.

“Khadija Ismayilova highly deserves the Prize and I am happy to see that her courage and professionalism are recognized,” stated Ljiljana Zurovac, President of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2016 Jury, in a press release.

Named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza (a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper, El Espectador, in Bogotá in 1986), the UNESCO award will be handed out as part of World Press Freedom Day events on May 3, 2016.

An annual event, World Press Freedom Day highlights the state of press freedom around the globe. This year, three significant aspects of press freedom are designated as priorities:

access to freedom of information as a fundamental human right
protection of press freedom from censorship and surveillance overreach
ensuring safety for journalists (both online and offline).

As well, World Press Freedom Day 2016 coincides with the 250th anniversary of the world’s first freedom of information law (Sweden) and the 25th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration of press freedom principles.

Still imprisoned in Azerbijan, Khadija Ismayilova will not be able to receive her UNESCO award in person on May 3. With increasing numbers of journalists facing harassment, imprisonment and violence in unstable regions, events like World Press Freedom Day are critically important to raise awareness about freedom of the press and the safety of journalists overseas.

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