Brussels, Belgium, will host an international conference for activists and groups that defend freedom of expression. The event, organized by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), is scheduled for February 19 to 24.

The conference theme: “Acting Together to Defend Free Expression.” The idea is to bring together IFEX members and partners to discuss new ways to conduct effective free-expression campaigns. The conference is not open to the general public.

Uzbekistan’s government has effectively shut down the last foreign broadcasting office in that country by denying accreditation to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

President Islam Karimov has been reining in the press ever since May 13, when media reported on the government’s deadly crackdown on protesters in Andijan. International media watchdogs and human rights groups have tallied dozens of attacks on local and international journalists since May.