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9 December 2011
Date: Monday 05 December 2011
On the Arrest and Victimisation of activists at COP17
The Freedom of Expression Institute condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of activists protesting at COP17. During the entire first week of the conference, we received reports of activists being harassed by police and metro police officers. These actions are unwarranted and goes against the grain of what South Africans stand for. Our rights as South Africans are extended to all visiting our country provided their action in relation thereto remains within the ambit of the law. We call on the Chair of Cop17 and responsible government officials in Durban to ensure the immediate release of those arrested over the weekend and this morning. We further call on the police and metro police leadership to insist that officers refrain from harassing and victimising activists at designated and other protest events.
End. Elston Seppie Executive Director 0792604326
22 Novemebr 2011 For Immediate Release Voting on the Protection of State Information Bill in parliament The Freedom of Expression Institute wish to register our disappointment in the ruling ANC for voting in favour of the bill in its current form. We are particularly disappointed since the ruling party promised more consultation on the bill when the bill was withdrawn from parliament a few weeks ago. Pronouncements in the National Assembly today, suggesting that those opposed to the bill is unpatriotic is shameful and unreasonable. The simple fact is that the bill infringes on our right to access to information – a fundamental right in terms of our bill of rights. All South Africans should have an interest in our rights as enshrined in the constitution. For MP’s to suggest organisations and individuals are unpatriotic is just simply unacceptable.
22 Novemebr 2011 For Immediate Release The Freedom of Expression Institute is alarmed and disappointed at the decision of the SABC to suspend two radio journalists for playing the song by Izingane Zoma, titled Umalema. The banning of the song by the SABC amounts to the worst form of self-censorship and is a direct infringement on the right to artistic freedom. We call on the SABC to explain the basis upon which they decided not to play the song and also provide substantive reasons for suspending the two journalists. End Elston Seppie Executive Director. 0792604326
22 Novemebr 2011 For Immediate Release On the Protection of State Information Bill in the National Assembly today. The Freedom of Expression Institute is deeply disappointed at the ruling party’s move to vote on the POSIB today in the National Assembly. The bill in it’s current form limits our fundamental right to access to information. It is not aligned to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) as is required by law and in addition, does not contain a public interest defence clause. Both these are fundamental issues and the reason why this bill wont withstand a constitutional court challenge. Furthermore, we are deeply disappointed that the ANC will now push the bill through in its current form after promising to consult more widely on the bill. In addition, the utterences of the Minister of Intelligence about the interest of “foreign agents” is a poor reflection of the kind of leadership required for a person in his position. Apart from it being insulting, it shows a lack of common sense and respect for NGO’s, CBO’s and civil society in general. FXI calls on the Minister to withdraw the statement and apologise to civil society.
21 November 2011 FXI disappointed in Mr Mac Maharaj’s attempts to silence M&G. The Freedom of Expression Institute is deeply disappointed in Mr Maharaj’s attempt to silence the Mail and Guardian. Whilst we affirm Mr Maharaj’s right to defend himself and his family, we are deeply disturbed by his insistence on preventing the newspaper from publishing what is clearly in the public interest. FXI believes Section 28 of the NPA Act contravenes Section 16 (1)b of the Constitution and requires a constitutional court challenge. We believe it limits our rights to access to information, our right to receive and impart information and thus leads to pre-publication censorship as can be seen from this case in point. We welcome the M&G’s announcement to challenge this section and will consider becoming amicus to guide the court on the freedom of expression principles.
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