Egypt: It’s a crime if I don’t speak
On the 23. of November 2012, the musician and music composer, Yasmine El Baramawy went to demonstrate on the Tahrir square in Cairo. It was a huge rally against the new constitution made by the then president Mohamed Mursi.
Little did she know, that this demonstration should become a nightmare for the young woman.
For 70-90 minutes Yasmine was sexually abused by dozens of men.
Two months later and after a new series of sexually motivated attacks on Tahrir Square, Yasmine El Baramawy decided to speak out.
As the first woman in Egypt, Yasmine went public – with name and face – and told her story on a national TV channel. And she and a group of woman have raised a case at the constitutional court In Egypt where they demand, that sexual harassment must become part of the penal code.
She never got a reply
Guatemala: The land of terror
Editor in chief, Jose Ruben Zamora owns the newspaper El Periodico in Guatemala. The media exposes cocaine cartels and the country’s political corruption. He is threatened on his life and has been kidnapped. He had to send his three sons in exile in the United States.
But Jose Ruben Zamora refuses to remain silent
Belarus: Europe’s last dictatorship
Human rights activist, Ales Bialiatski was recently released from jail after a 1,050 days long prison sentence in Belarus.
He was imprisoned because he criticized the regime and the regime does not allow any opposition.
However, he continues his struggle for freedom of expression and democracy in sit homeland.
Bangladesh : A country of injustice
The lawyer Rizwana Hasan fights for the poor and voiceless people in Bangladesh. She is threatened on her life and her husband was kidnapped because she helps shipbreaking workers and poisoned workers in the leather industry.
Still, she continues her struggle for justice in Bangladesh.
Serbia: The fight for truth
Brankica Stankovic is the editor and journalist on one of the most well-known documentary programs, the “Insider” on the TV-station B92
For five years she has been under constant police protection because she does her job as a critical investigative journalist. She refuses to bow to threats from assassins, ultra-nationalists, neo-Nazis and criminal networks based in hooligan movements.
Brankica Stankovic and her colleagues have also investigated the mafia in the construction industry, dubious real estate and money laundering in overseas tax havens.
Since 2009, when the program “Insider”, brought several programs about how hooligans from the ultra-nationalist football clubs Partizan and Red Star also had numerous convictions for assault, vandalism, extortion and murder,
Brankica Stankovic have been protected by special forces from the Serbian anti-terrorist corps.
Around the clock, there are heavily armed police around her and her young daughter, Sara.
Swaziland: The last absolute monarchy
Bheki Dlamini is a young, political activist from the tiny African country, Swaziland. He spend almost 4 years imprisonment for something that he didn’t do. Shortly after his release he had to flee his country.
Because the King of Swaziland have decided that wearing a T-shirt – demanding democracy and political reforms – is an act of terrorism.
Bheki is just one out of many others that are harassed, tortured and jailed. Editors, lawyers and political opponents to the absolute monarch, King Mswati III are jailed for years without being trialled at a court.
He has made 95 documentaries for major TV-stations all over the world since 1988.
In which he has exposed the Norwegian arms industry. Exposed Norwegian shipping owners supporting the apartheid-regime.
Told the story how a Norwegian company had 600 employees at the Guantanamo base.
Has shown how exploited Indian workers and children have produced granite for Norwegian streets and squares.
Professor in investigative documentary filmmaking.
Former correspondent for Norwegian Broadcasting in Latin America and Beijing.
The winner of ”the best Norwegian journalist” –price.
Erling Borgen runs his own production house in Oslo. With a focus specifically on documentaries about human rights issues. He has written seven books, has his column in a Norwegian daily, and participates regularly in public debate (radio and TV) about international issues.
The filmmaker and investigative journalist Tom Heinemann is a two times winner of the “Outstanding Investigative Journalist” of the Danish Association of Investigative Journalism (FUJ)
Three times nominee for the “Cavling Prize” as journalist of the year in Denmark
His thorough and well researched documentaries has created an international awareness around subjects as:
He is running an independent production company working worldwide from its base in Copenhagen.
Besides the documentaries he is a respected and inspiring workshop leader and lecturer in universities and media schools all over the globe from Canada to Bangladesh.
More about Tom Heinemann and his work here www.tomheinemann.dk
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