Russian Sergeant Sentenced to Ten Years for Beating and Robbing Civilians
Soldier threatened, beat and stole valuables from locals over several days in March 2022.
“People Need to Know the Terrible Truth About These Prisons”
Russian human rights activist describes efforts to document the torture and sexual abuse of captured Ukrainians.
Tuesday, 12 September ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Yerevan Angry Over Moscow’s Inaction as Nagorny Karabakh Blockade Continues
Russia remains cautious as Azerbaijan’s block of the region’s only gateway drags into its ninth month.
Georgian Authorities Face Scrutiny Over Disaster Response
Delays and failure to implement early warning systems blamed after deadly mudslide.
Russian Soldier Convicted of Brutal Treatment
Man found guilty of looting, holding mock executions and threatening to cut off a civilian’s fingers with an axe.
Tuesday, 5 September ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Fight Over Matronymics Sparks Political Battle in Kyrgyzstan
President proposes revision of Constitutional Court decision after ruling allows mother to give her name to her children.
Captured Russian Paratrooper Pleads Not Guilty
Accused declined to answer questions from journalists during most recent court hearing.
IWPR Women’s Prize for Journalism
IWPR’s inaugural award for outstanding journalism recognises the work of our network of women reporters worldwide. Working in often challenging environments, these journalists face additional threats such as harassment, gender-based violence and systemic misogyny.
"What was significant for all three of us [judges] was how the stories stayed with us - not just for the amazing yet harrowing insights into these women’s lives but the courage it took for them to keep going, to experience the harshness in which they lived and to tell the world about it through their stories."
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.
Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.
The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan is causing water shortages in southern Uzbekistan, while in Kyrgyzstan the government is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant. In Kazakstan, conservation activists are working to save the Central Asian tortoise from extinction.
Elsewhere, CABAR delves into the efforts by Central Asian authorities to detect, reduce and prevent statelessness across the region.
IWPR Launching Anti-Hate Speech Drive for Burma
Consensus for tolerance needed in the face of widespread hostility to Rohingya minority.
IWPR Syria Coordinator Wins Prestigious Award
Writer, trainer and mentor honoured for her courageous work in heart of conflict zone.
IWPR Promotes Anti-Discrimination Debate in Armenia
Concerns about legal loophole that excludes LGBT community from legal protections afforded to minorities.
Encouraging Investigative Journalism in Kyrgyzstan
Workshops introduce participants from across the country to essential practical skills
Helping Syrian Journalists Stay Safe
New online resource provides one-stop-shop for reporters working in danger zones.
Making Sense of Georgia's Pankisi Region
Journalists have heard the stories of fighters going off to Syria. Now they’ve had a chance to visit an area said to be a hotbed of radical Islam.
Sudan: Women's Rights Radio for Nuba Mountains
Local reporters contribute to making shows relevant, and “listener groups” help make sure they are.
Caucasus Journalists Focus on New Rail Project
Cross-border railway could tie region into trade with Europe, but there's been little discussion of it locally.
Rwanda: Building Media Regulation
A member of the media regulation body outlines successes and challenges.
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.