Corte Suprema absuelve acusado de torturar de Claudia Julieta Duque y vacรญa de contenido los derechos de las vรญctimas
En una sentencia deficiente en el anรกlisis probatorio y la conceptualizaciรณn del delito de tortura psicolรณgica, la Corte Suprema de Justicia absolviรณ a Ronal Harbey Rivera Rodrรญguez, exdetective del Grupo Especial de Inteligencia 3 (G-3) del DAS, procesado en el caso de la periodista Claudia Julieta Duque. Consideramos que esta decisiรณn no es acorde a […]
UN Working Group finds Viet Nam is Unlawfully Detaining Journalist Nguyแป n Lรขn Thแบฏng
In an Opinion published in late 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) held that the detention of independent journalist Nguyแป n Lรขn Thแบฏng is ย arbitrary and in contravention of his rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Media Defence represented […]
Albanian Constitutional Court upholds right to confidentiality of sources
Deciding on a constitutional complaint filed by journalist Elton Qyno after authorities had seized his professional and personal devices, the Albanian Constitutional Court has handed down its judgment on 22 April 2025. The ruling upholds freedom of the press and recognises the importance of the right to confidentiality of sources. The Constitutional Court found that […]
The Growing Threat of Lawfare: Defending Journalists and Independent Media
The global use of lawfareโwhere governments and powerful actors weaponise legal systems to silence journalistsโis increasingly on the rise. Combatting lawfare has been central to Media Defenceโs mission since our founding in 2008. As a serious threat to journalists and freedom of expression, addressing lawfare continues to be a strategic priority for our work. How […]
Filing Amicus Curiae and other submissions at Domestic Courts: Strengthening Freedom of Expression at the National Level
In 2024, Media Defence filed written submissions in a number of cases before domestic courts across four regions. The role of Media Defence took different forms, including that of third-party intervener, amicus curiae, and expert providing an opinion in international law. The purpose of the submissions is to assist each court in its determination of […]
Colombia’s Constitutional Court overturns the blocking by a government agency against a journalist on X
This article was kindly written for Media Defence by Laura Urrego, Project Coordinator at El Veinte.ย On 16 August 2023, journalist Josรฉ Manuel Vega de la Cruz noticed that he had been blocked by the X account (formerly Twitter) of the Governorโs office of Cesarโs region in Colombia. Questioned by the Foundation for Press Freedom […]
Media Defence Files Intervention at European Court in Case of Danileลฃ v. Romania
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights is holding a hearing in the case of Danileลฃ v. Romania on 18 December 2024. The case concerns a disciplinary sanction imposed on a judge by the national judiciary commission in Romania for posting messages on his Facebook account. Read the judgment of the Fourth […]
Media Defence Files ECtHR Case Against Azerbaijanโs Unlawful Detention of Journalist Imran Aliyev Ahead of COP29
Media Defence has filed a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against Azerbaijan on behalf of journalist Imran Aliyev, challenging his unlawful detention. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, Aliyevโs case underscores the systematic repression of dissenting voices in the country, casting a dark shadow over the upcoming climate summit. Imran Aliyev, […]
Argentina: Recent Decree Threatens Access to Public Information and Undermines Freedom of Expression
Leer en espaรฑol This article was kindly written for Media Defence by Fundaciรณn Transparencia Activa, an Argentine NGO that promotes transparency and access to public information. In September 2024, the government of Argentina, led by President Javier Milei, issued Decree 780/2024, which modifies the regulations of the Law on Access to Public Information. This change […]
Former Colombian Intelligence Director Convicted for Torture of Journalist Claudia Duque
Leer en espaรฑol On August 24th, Josรฉ Miguel Narvรกez was convicted for the aggravated and prolonged psychological torture of journalist Claudia Julieta Duque. Narvรกez was the Deputy Director of the now disbanded Colombian secret police, the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), who subjected Duque to over two decades of relentless persecution. The verdict delivered by […]
Ex director de inteligencia colombiano condenado por torturar a la periodista Claudia Duque
Read in Englishย El 24 de agosto, Josรฉ Miguel Narvรกez fue condenado por tortura psicolรณgica agravada y prolongada de la periodista Claudia Julieta Duque. Narvรกez llegรณ a ser subdirector de la ahora disuelta policรญa secreta colombiana, el Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS), que sometiรณ a Duque a casi una dรฉcada de implacable persecuciรณn. La sentencia […]
14 Years After The Disappearance Of Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, His Family Continue The Fight For Answers
On 24 January 2010, just two days before a crucial presidential election in Sri Lanka, journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda disappeared. Since then, his wife, Sandya Ekneligoda, has tirelessly fought for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. Yet, to date, no effective investigation has been carried out and no perpetrators have […]