The Challenge of In Absentia Trials
Procedures must be impeccably transparent, given international concerns about national courts’ impartiality during an armed conflict.
Russian "Commandant" Sentenced for Kidnapping Kherson Official
Victim was beaten in an attempt to force him to collaborate with the occupation authorities.
Tuesday, 13 February ‘24
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Russian Soldier Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Judges reject defence lawyer’s argument that there was a lack of proper evidence to support a murder charge.
Universal Jurisdiction: a Key Tool for Accountability
Germany is at the forefront of prosecuting war crimes under the principle; the hope is that more countries will follow.
Two Russian Soldiers on Trial for Torturing Civilians
Seven villagers were taken to a graveyard where they were beaten and subjected to mock executions.
Tuesday, 6 February ‘24
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Russian Pilot’s Appeal Rejected
Defence lawyer had asked for offence to be reclassified from war crime to intentional murder.
Tuesday, 30 January ‘24
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
World Press Freedom Day 2024
On World Press Freedom Day we focus on local journalists facing myriad challenges in the tireless pursuit of truth and their enduring efforts to bring meaningful change.
Highlights from IWPR’s Consortium to Support Independent Journalism in Latin America (CAPIR).
An investigation by ContraCorriente, one of the investigative units IWPR supports in Honduras, revealed abuses including robbery, torture and kidnappings allegedly inflicted on citizens by police officers. The investigation also addressed how the state of emergency, in place since 2022, has allowed these abuses to occur with impunity. The authorities deny responsibility, claiming that organised criminal groups are using replica uniforms to pose as police officers.
A transnational publication by the investigative units of Plaza Pública and Criterio media revealed the huge extent of Asian cigarette smuggling in northern Central America. In addition to the health problems and millions of dollars lost to tax evasion, this also finances organised crime trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans. The investigation highlighted the failure of institutional efforts to stop this problem, aggravated by the complicity of officials who help falsify documents.
A story by the IWPR beneficiaries Guardiana and La Nube media outlets revealed the unauthorised sale of "medical preparations" to treat mental illnesses such as depression in a market in Cochabamba, one of Bolivia's largest cities. The story showed how products were marketed without information about their ingredients, including unlicensed natural remedies from Peru and Brazil. In response, the Cochabamba department of health announced it would increase the number of police operatives in the market where these products are sold.
Transnational Repression: from China to Belarus
Panel explores how repressive regimes persecute opponents far beyond their own borders.
Libyan Officials Vow to Protect Women’s Rights
Move follows efforts to ensure the inclusion of mental health support in disaster planning.
Helping Newsrooms Counter Disinformation
IWPR online course helps prevent local media from facilitating fake news.
Libya: Women’s NGO Head Inspired to Run for Office
IWPR colleague poised to take her activism forward into the world of politics.
Transnational Repression in Central Asia
Leading Belarus dissident to address IWPR discussion on regional repression.
Cambodia: Making Social Media Work for Journalists
Training focuses on producing appealing content while upholding international standards of reporting.
Disinformation and Democracy: Can Journalism Up Its Game?
Highlights of a discussion between Janine di Giovanni and Peter Pomerantsev.
Libya: Coding Camp Empowers Young Women
Hackathon produces hi-tech solutions to some of the challenges thrown up by Covid-19.
Can Tajik-Kyrgyz Border Conflict Spiral Into War?
Following the worse fighting in years, experts warn that states need to urgently build trust and solve humanitarian issues.
Ukraine Justice Report
Countering Disinformation in Moldova
Ukraine War Diary by Anthony Borden
Democratic accountability comes from journalists investigating their own societies – IWPR provides a much needed platform and support for those reporting from some of the most dangerous and difficult places in the world.
Disinformation is a major global threat , especially in conflict and post-conflict areas. IWPR performs a vital mission, building up local voices as a bulwark against this challenge.
IWPR fills a critical gap by helping local journalists to focus on human rights and justice issues. In the process, it contributes to democratic transitions, and demonstrates that the best war reporting is not about military conflict, but human consequences.