Two Russian Soldiers to be Tried for Shooting Civilian Car, Killing Two
The men opened fire with machine guns on a vehicle carrying fleeing villagers.
Ukraine: Fighting for Human Values
On the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Nobel prize-winner calls for world’s continued support and decisive action.
Tuesday, 20 February ‘24
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
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.
Highlights from IWPR’s Consortium to Support Independent Journalism in Latin America (CAPIR).
An investigation by Honduras Verifica, a beneficiary of our counter-disinformation programme, revealed the modus operandi of MiNotaHN.com, a website initially launched as a parody of a reputable Honduran media outlet TuNota.com. Within a few months, the portal began to publish pseudo-news pro-government content. Honduras Verifica found that such stories were promoted online by an army of inauthentic accounts on several social media platforms. Various ministers and state institutions have republished, liked or commented on its content. The investigation was re-published by nine Honduran and Central America outlets and the authors interviewed by local media.
A story by Nómadas, a media outlet beneficiary in our in-depth journalism mini-grants programme, revealed how members of the Eyiyoquibo indigenous community in northern Bolivia have been poisoned with mercury from fish in the nearby river. Despite the danger to the community - aggravated by a lack of access to health care or alternative food sources - the report showed that the Bolivian government had failed to comply with a 2023 judicial order to stop illegal mining in the area and the use of mercury (banned by the Minamata Convention since 2013).
An investigation by beneficiary Mala Yerba in El Salvador featured in the Bukele: Master of the Skies documentary series by Radio Ambulante, the most influential narrative journalism podcast in Latin America. The episode explored the implications of the adoption of Bitcoin as legal currency in El Salvador and cited the investigation, which showed how Bukele’s government offered to improve the housing of 25 families as part of the scheme. However, the families were then only offered public housing three km away, located by a sewage plant, and asked to pay the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars in bitcoin and work 650 hours on construction.
Moldovan Media and Officials Fight Fake News Together
A lack of accurate government information provides fertile ground for false narratives to feed distrust and ultimately destabilise the country.
Ukraine Justice Report
IWPR project will document long, painful and essential journey to bring Russia’s military impunity to an end.
Central Asian Analysts Meet Georgia’s Vibrant Civil Society
Cross-border visit supports delegates’ research and analytical skills and builds regional cooperation.
Vietnam: Former IWPR Mentor Receives International Press Freedom Award
Imprisoned writer honoured for her tireless work seeking to hold authorities to account.
Go Viral Festivals Spark Collaboration Across Central Asia
Events travel to region’s five capitals with the aim of inspiring creativity and cross-border connections.
Moldovan Journalists Explain High Cost of Disinformation
Media literacy seminars in more remote parts of the country highlight danger of fake news.
Moldovan Media Learn New Skills to Build Resilience
Programme provides emergency response to fighting fake news surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
Go Viral Festival Gathers Thousands in Dushanbe
IWPR’s cross-regional project provides a unique platform for journalists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers and artists to connect.
Marie Colvin’s Books Donated to Mosul Library
Collection to serve as the basis for new centre to inspire future researchers and reporters from the Iraqi city.
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.