· February, 2011

Stories about Freedom of Speech from February, 2011

Iran: A Blogger Who Prayed to See Protesters Beaten

  28 February 2011

After widespread protests in Iran on February 14, Iranian cyber-activists flooded the internet with videos, photos and tweets from the demonstrations. Meanwhile, a different interpretation of events exists on the internet too. Iranian pro-government Islamist bloggers are also prolific when it comes to sharing their thoughts online.

Bahrain: Protests Block National Assembly Building

  28 February 2011

Anti government protesters on Monday morning blocked the National Council building where both Parliament and the Shura (Consultative) Councils hold their weekly sessions. The reason for the protest in front of the National Assembly is to topple the bicameral system in addition to the protesters' other demands for a new constitution and the toppling of the regime.

Bahamas: The Right to Speak Out

  28 February 2011

“I always have and always will speak up when my rights as a homeowner, a citizen and a human being are being threatened”: Womanish Words believes that her voice is the most powerful tool she has.

Cambodia: Who Ordered the Blocking of Opposition Websites?

  27 February 2011

Since January, certain anti-government websites have been inaccessible in Cambodia. Service providers blame it on technical issues while the government claims it does not promote censorship. But media groups leaked a government letter asking companies to block critical websites.

Yemen: “I beg you to help us NOW”

  26 February 2011

While much of Yemen protested peacefully, the country's military used tear gas and fired live weapons on protesters in the sea port of Aden. President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the demonstrations had been hijacked by separatists. But those on the ground claim non-violent protesters were shot and killed.

Russia: Bloggers Deconstruct Isolationist Propaganda

RuNet Echo  26 February 2011

As Russia is approaching another election cycle (in 2011 Russians are supposed to elect the Parliament and in 2012 – the president) the voices of state propagandists get louder. The upcoming election process, tamed and controlled by the President's office and the ruling party "United Russia," will be happening in the context of the Arabian "Spring of Nations 2.0." This fact inspires pro-Democracy activists, as well as regime advocates.

Egypt: Revolution's Not Over, Army Attacks Protestors

  26 February 2011

One month after a revolution began to demand political reform, Cairo's Tahrir Square was again the scene for bloody violence as the Egyptian army moved to quash continued protests for civilian rule. Two weeks since the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egypt remains grappled in a tug of war between protestor demands for immediate democratic reform and a potent military refusing to cede power.

Egypt: Is Feb25 the Restart Button for the Egyptian Revolution?

  26 February 2011

Yesterday marked the first month since the start of the Egyptian revolution. Former president Hosni Mubarak has been toppled yet the revolution is still far from over. Protesters at Tahrir Square, calling for the demands of the revolution to materialise, were last night cordoned and attacked by the military police. Is this the beginning of another wave of rage?

Yemen: “Our blood is not cheap” (Videos)

  25 February 2011

Tens of thousands of protesters across Yemen rallied for and against President Ali Abdullah Saleh after Friday prayers. Two protesters were shot dead in Yemen's second-largest city Aden on Friday, February 25, in what appears to be confrontations between anti-Saleh groups and police. At least 34 others have been wounded, mostly by live gunfire.

Cuba: Marking Zapata's Anniversary

  25 February 2011

Diaspora blogger El Cafe Cubano posts photos from a march in honour of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, while Uncommon Sense reports that “Cuban independent journalist and activist Guillermo Fariñas…said the government's crackdown this week has only elevated Zapata's status in Cuba”; Havana Times says that the first anniversary of his death...

South Korea: Libyan Protest in Seoul

  25 February 2011

South Korean, Arabian and Libyan activists held a protest near the Libyan Embassy in Seoul today demanding the removal of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, South Korean photographer @photo0301 posted photos of today's protest.

Peru: Controversy Over Removal of Anonymity in Electoral Polls

  24 February 2011

A new policy preventing opinion polls from being conducted anonymously caused a storm in the press and on social networking sites. Finally, faced with a barrage of questions from the public and the press over its conduct, the National Jury of Elections was forced to retract the regulation.

Cuba: Zapata Vive

  24 February 2011

“The fact that Zapata’s death came about through starvation is one more piece of the hunger we have endured for over half a century”: Crossing the Barbed Wire explains why Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death “was not in vain”.