Stories about Freedom of Speech from July, 2013
Germany: Security Above the Constitution
Comments from leading MPs in Germany on the surveillance scandals and security issues prove to be a cause for concern.
#FreeSafy – Bahrain Arrests Blogger in Dawn Raid
Bahraini blogger Mohammed Hassan was arrested at dawn today. His telephone and computer were confiscated. Netizens call for his release.
Kuwaiti Emir Pardons Jailed Tweeters
Under Kuwaiti law, lese majeste is prohibited as the Emir's stance "cannot be violated." Some argued those convicted and imprisoned were exercising their freedom of speech.
Brazil: ‘Real Men Don't Beat Women’
If you deepen into the figures of domestic violence against women in Brazil, you will find that one in five women are victims.
Outspoken Chinese Singer Detained Over Online Bomb Threat
Some fear authorities will make an example of her with harsh punishment.
Can Pirates Save the Russian Internet?
Judging from attendance at recent demonstrations, Russian supporters of internet freedom have their work cut out for them if they want to move their cause from online to offline.
Germany: Demonstrations Against Surveillance
#stopwatchingus was the motto of demonstrations that took place last Saturday in Germany. The participants were protesting against surveillance by the secret services and government inaction.
Saudi Website Founder to be Imprisoned, Lashed
Free Saudi Liberals website founder Raif Badawi was charged with "setting up a website that undermines general security" and ridiculing Islamic religious figures.
Bangladeshi Blogger Writes About Prison Experience
Bangladeshi Blogger and activist Asif Mohiuddin, the winner of the best social activism blog from the Deutsche Welle Best Of Blogs Awards 2012, was arrested last April on charges of...
Taiwan: Flash Protests Against Land Expropriation
The dispute over land expropriation in Miaoli County has lit a fire for a series of flash protests targeting the President and the Premier for their indifference to citizens’ suffering....
South Korea: Over 25 Thousands Protested Against the Secret Agency Scandal
Mass protests against the state secret agency's electioneering scandal thundered across South Korea over the weekend. More than 25 thousand Koreans (Police estimated little below 8000 people) allegedly have attended a...
Lesbian Couple Arrested After Marrying in Secret in Bangladesh
The women's marriage is being described as the country's first same-sex marriage. Bangladesh's laws criminalize homosexual relationships with life imprisonment.
Ethnic Slurs Haunt Alexey Navalny
Alexey Navalny came under harsh criticism from Russian opposition movement colleagues just days after he was released from Kirov jail, and as soon as it became clear that he would continue to run for mayor of Moscow throughout the appeals process for his 5-year long prison sentence.
Taiwanese Professor Arrested in Protest Against Forced Demolitions
Taiwanese professor Hsu Shih-Jung was yelling "Today you demolished Taipu, tomorrow we demolished the government" when he was dragged away by police.
Mumbai Restaurant Forced to Pull Political Food Bills
The restaurant was forced to shut down after it mentioned government corruption and criticized a new "air-conditioned eatery tax" on its bills that were being handed out to customers.
Petition to Amend Vietnam Laws that Restrict Media Freedom
More than 60 Vietnamese bloggers signed a unity statement urging the Vietnam government to improve its human rights record and commitment as it vies for membership in the UN Human...
Saudi Arabia Jails Seven Facebook Users for Calling for Protests
Political dissent is not tolerated in Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy. Seven men are now behind bars, accused of disturbing public order and calling for protests on Facebook.
How Vietnam Controls the Press
Asia Sentinel publishes an article written by Pham Doan Trang about the situation of journalists in Vietnam: The press card system is a sophisticated method of controlling reporters. No card,...
Egyptian Journalist Menna Alaa Attacked by Pro-Morsi Protesters
Blogger and video journalist Menna Alaa was attacked by angry pro-Morsi supporters today. She shares her testimony, in English, in this post on Egyptian Chronicles. She writes: A smack on...
Saudi Activist Slapped With Sudden Travel Ban at Airport
Saudi activist and journalist Iman Al-Qahtani was denied the right to leave Saudi Arabia as punishment for her activism and support for reformers in the absolute monarchy.
China: Crackdown on Citizen Movement Activists
Chinese Human Rights Defenders has an update on the arrest of citizens and activists in China. The latest detainee is prominent activist Xu Zhiyong, who is considered a moderate reformer....
