Stories about Freedom of Speech from July, 2015
Court Fines the Taiwan Immigration Authority for the Denied Entry of a Foreign Visitor Ahead Anti-nuclear Protest
Two years ago in March 2013, Daniel Andres Helmdach was detained and deported from Taiwan because the immigration suspected that he visited the country to join the anti-nuclear protest. The German youth had done nothing illegal in Taiwan before, he merely worked as a volunteer on conversation projects back in...
German Digital Rights Pioneers Investigated for Treason
The last time a German journalist was charged with treason was in 1962, when the editor-in-chief of Der Spiegel was prosecuted for publishing secret documents about the German defense forces.
“Ethiopians Should Not Wait for Obama to Give Them Democracy”
"The united hands of our people are stronger than that of Western world! Let us do that and reign the democracy we are longing for!"
Azerbaijan's Political Prisoners, the State and its Secret Society
What is with the rows of passive spectators literally taking up space at the trials of the country's most high-profile political prisoners?
How China's Online Civilization Army Turned a Youth Street Fight into a Patriotic Struggle
"They just pick quarrels and fights all day long. Today vow to execute this and tomorrow execute someone else. Such patriotism is not loving one's country but hating one's country."
Russia to Web Anonymizers: Shut Up and Go Away
Russian censors are now officially adding anonymizing websites to their blacklist registry, on the grounds they enable access to extremist content that is already blocked in Russia.
Taiwanese High School Students Arrested After Protesting New Textbook Guidelines
Thirty high-school students and three reporters were arrested for entering the Ministry of Education to protest against new textbook guidelines that tell Taiwan's history from a greater Chinese perspective.
Malaysia Blocks News Website and Suspends Two Local Papers for Reporting on Government Corruption
"Our report is based on evidence corroborated by documents that include bank transfers and statements. How can the work we have done be deemed as a political conspiracy?"
Why Britain Owes India for 200 Years of Brutal Colonialism
"Britain's rise for 200 years was financed by its depredations in India. In fact Britain's industrial revolution was actually premised upon the de-industrialisation of India."
As Ukraine Bans Russian TV Shows for ‘Propaganda,’ Local Channels Put Up a Fight
With Ukraine banning a number of Russian TV shows that "glorify the Russian government, military, and law enforcement," Ukrainian television channels are already looking for loopholes in the new legislation.
Peaceful Dissent Becomes Religious Sin as Iran’s Hardliners Reassert Their Power
“To oppose the state is the greatest sin,” said Mohammadi Golpayegani, chief of staff to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
China Blocks Telegram Messenger for ‘Aiding Rights Advocates’
Chinese state-run newspaper People's Daily accused Telegram of aiding human-rights lawyers and advocates, who allegedly used the app and its "Secret Chat" mode to engage in “anti-government" activity.
The Internet Pokes Fun at Alleged Threats from ‘El Chapo’ against Donald Trump
Social media users lapped up El Chapo's escape and alleged threats against Donald Trump with a series of humorous memes.
President Putin Signs Russian ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Into Law
Vladimir Putin signed the "right to be forgotten" search engine law into force, while publicly coming out in support of "minimal restrictions" for the Russian Internet.
Tajikistan's State News Agency Strengthens its Monopoly Over ‘News’
"An important step to reach complete authoritarianism!"
What You Need to Know About Ethiopia v. Zone9 Bloggers: Verdict Expected July 20
Ethiopia's Zone9 bloggers have appeared in court 30 times in 15 months, and been adjourned each time. "This is no anomaly in Ethiopia’s highly compromised judiciary system," says Endalk Chala.
Why Do Activists and the European Parliament Oppose Cambodia’s NGO Law?
“The real purpose of this law is to exercise control over groups of citizens who want to speak out.”
Despite Protests, Japan's Ruling Coaltion Rams Through Controversial War Powers Legislation
"In front of the national Diet. On what path is this country now headed, I wonder? July 15, 2015: a day of dread."
Australian Artist Jailed in UAE For Posting “Bad Words” on Facebook
An Australian artist found herself thrown into an Abu Dhabi prison and deported for posting a photograph of a car blocking a disabled parking spot.
In Sweeping Effort to Spy on Civil Society, Macedonia Broke Its Own Privacy Laws
"When such a government wiretaps you, it means that you are on the right track," says NGO worker Xhabir Deralla.
Ethiopians React to Bloggers’ Release With Compassion, Criticism
Supporters of the Zone9 blogging collective are expressing both joy and bitterness at the release of some -- but not all -- of the bloggers from prison last week.