The #HoldTheLine Steering Committee is dismayed at the decision of a Manila judge to reject an application to reconsider the conviction of @mariaressa & Rey Santos Jnr on trumped-up criminal cyber libel charges attracting jail sentences of up to six years. rappler.com/nation/manila-…
The #HoldTheLine Steering Committee notes with alarm that Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa adopted an increase in the prescription period for cyber-libel - from 12 to 15 years - when she issued her ruling late Friday, just ahead of Duterte’s State of the Nation address on Monday.
On behalf of the #HoldTheLine Coalition, we - @julieposetti, @courtneyr & I - now call on the Philippines‘ Court of Appeals to act justly and quash the convictions against @mariaressa & Rey Santos Junior as the appeal process progresses to the next stage.
Over 80 international journalism & civil society organisations form the #HoldTheLine Coalition which is demanding Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte end the orchestrated attacks on @mariaressa@rappler & independent journalism in the country #CourageOncpj.org/campaigns/stan…
Over 11k people have now signed the #HoldTheLine petition urging the quashing of @mariaressa’s criminal conviction & calling for an end to all other legal action against her & Rappler. Please add your signature to signal your support rsf.org/en/free-mariar…#CourageOn
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My (belated!) thread on the first day of the #DayX hearing at the UK High Court, which I was able to monitor in person for @RSF_inter. I’ll share a few thoughts on today’s proceedings and some access issues below, as well as our concerns for Julian Assange’s health 🧵
For the first time in four years of covering these extradition proceedings, @RSF_inter representatives were properly accredited to attend the hearing as NGO observers. Me, @fiona_obrien and @LM_Kretschmer had reserved seats in the public gallery section of the main courtroom.
@RSF_inter @fiona_obrien @LM_Kretschmer We understand that @pen_int’s observers were also given reserved seats. @amnesty and @englishpen’s representatives were able to get in with help from others who had queued for the public gallery (thank you to these hero activists!). It’s unclear why they weren’t also accredited.
Today @RSF_inter was meant to be the first NGO to gain access to @wikileaks publisher Julian Assange in Belmarsh prison. This took months to secure. @cdeloire and I were confirmed to visit today at 9:15 am - but we were barred access by the Prison Governor at the last minute. 1/
We followed all of the prison’s procedures and rules. We arrived early with all documents. But we were told at reception that we would not be allowed in, as the Prison Governor had taken us off the list. The reason? They had “received intelligence” that we were journalists. 2/
No further discussion was possible. The Prison Governor would not come speak to us. We have written a formal complaint. Assange’s lawyers have written too. We will keep seeking access. We call on Belmarsh Prison to reverse this decision and respect Assange’s visitation rights. 3/
Still absorbing the news from Malta - the significance cannot be overstated. 5 years, with so many of us campaigning, to start chipping away at impunity in a single case. This is an important step towards justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia - but what about the bigger picture? 🧵
Globally around 1,000 journalists have been killed in connection with their work over the past decade - the vast majority (around 9 out of 10 cases) committed with full or partial impunity. That’s why it stands out so much when justice is achieved in any case - it’s an anomaly.
This year alone, at @RSF_inter we have tracked killings of 45 journalists and 4 media workers around the world - and we’re only in October. That’s not to mention arbitrary detentions, which are rising year by year. At this moment, a staggering 524 journalists are unjustly jailed.
Today the Westminster Magistrates’ Court will hold a short hearing in the extradition case against Julian Assange. The court is expected to give an order referring the matter back to the Home Office. I’ll be monitoring for @RSF_inter and will have updates on this thread. 1/
The hearing is listed for 10:15 am UK time. In a welcome change from the previous judge (Vanessa Baraitser), I’ve been granted remote access as an NGO observer. I’ll be following proceedings online and will be outside court afterwards to give a statement for @RSF_inter. 2/
Once the court issues the order, the defence has 4 weeks to make representations, then Home Secretary @pritipatel could approve/reject extradition at any time. @RSF_inter has called on her to protect journalism & press freedom by refusing extradition. She should #FreeAssange! 3/
Back at the High Court this morning awaiting the decision on whether the judges will accept @wikileaks publisher Julian Assange’s right to appeal his extradition case to the Supreme Court. The hearing starts at 10:45. I’ll be monitoring for @RSF_inter and will have updates here.
Today’s decision will follow the High Court’s ruling of 10 December, overturning the district judge’s decision barring Assange’s extradition on mental health grounds. This court found in favour of the US’ diplomatic assurances re. Assange’s treatment. rsf.org/en/news/rsf-co…
Good thread by @StellaMoris1 explaining the various possible scenarios we could see with today’s ruling.
I’ll be back in court today to monitor the ongoing trial in the case of Arron Banks v @carolecadwalla. @RSF_inter and many other expert free expression organisations consider this vexatious case a clear example of SLAPP. I’ll have updates on this thread. rsf.org/en/news/ninete…
Catch up on my live thread from Monday’s proceedings here: