Stories about Freedom of Speech from June, 2012
Cuba: Two Protests, Many Arrests
The Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco) are again top of mind with Cuban diaspora bloggers. As one of the oldest and most respected opposition entities on the island, their peaceful protests - and regular arrests by state security forces - continue to attract attention. The most recent confrontation happened this past weekend as members of the group attempted to carry out two protests in Havana.
Togo: Violent Police Clash With ‘Save Togo’ Protesters
A peaceful march by the 'Save Togo' collective on June 12 degenerated into a stand off with security forces and around 120 injuries were recorded. Amongst other things, the protesters are calling for the implementation of recommendations relating to torture and wide ranging constitutional change. Other demonstrations are scheduled for the coming week.
Mauritania: Security Forces Break Up March, Arrest Activists
Coordinators of the youth opposition organised a demonstration held after Friday prayers on May 18, which saw opposition protestors leave the Saudi Mosque in the capital Nouakchott in a march headed towards the Ministry of Interior. The demonstration was forcefully suppressed by security forces using tear gas.
Angola: Rhythms of Resistance, Past and Present
While international human rights organizations and bloggers are calling attention to the escalation of violence and repression against Angolan activists and musicians in the run up to this year's elections, in Lisbon, recently a tribute was paid to the Angolan music of resistance from the 1950s and 60s - N'Gola Ritmos. We invite you to time travel to the past of Anglola's rhythms of resistance and reflect on the country's political present.
Russia: Death Threats for Journalists and Forgiveness for Officials
A bizarre story involving Russia's top investigator threatening the life of an opposition newspaper's deputy editor, and how everyone reconciled a day later. Kevin Rothrock reports.
Bulgaria: Protests Against Forest Act in Sofia
For two days, June 13 and 14, Bulgaria's capital Sofia was blocked due to the unsanctioned protests against the modification of the vague Forest Act. The third rally is scheduled to take place today. Ruslan Trad reports.
Cuba: Bloggers say there are more like “Antunez”
Diaspora bloggers still have their attention focused on Cuban dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez (Antunez), who was reportedly beaten and detained following his testimony at a United States Senate sub-committee hearing concerned with infringements on the human rights of Cuban citizens.
Bangladesh: Keep Border Open For Rohingya Refugees
After a recent sectarian violence between Rohingya and Rakhine in Western Myanmar, Bangladesh has restricted the influx of Rohingya refugees crossing borders. Bangladeshi netizens questions the decision of the government on humane grounds, though admitting as well that the country is incapable of hosting more refugees.
Ethiopia: The State of Social Media
Geraldine de Bastion (@geralbine) is an expert on information and communication technology and new media for development. She talks to Global Voices Online about, among other issue, the state of social media in Ethiopia.
Bahrain: Plea to Police to Return MacBook Pro
On Twitter, Bahraini Mohammed Al Maskati, complains: “It's been 443 days since masked police confiscated my MacBook Pro, 2 Hardrives, 3 Blackberry phones, camera AND wifey’s Friend's collection.” Al Maskati was arrested last year after he was threatened with arrest on Twitter.
Cuba: Bloggers Rally Around Beaten Dissident
Bloggers from the Cuban diaspora are concerned about the reported beating and detainment of dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez, more popularly known as Antunez, after he testified via teleconference at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing about the human rights situation on the island.
Colombia: Conflicting Reactions Following Release of French Journalist Roméo Langlois
The French journalist Roméo Langlois was released on May 30, after having been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for a month. The journalist's statements after his release caused conflicting reactions among Colombian netizens.
Brazil: Satirical Blog ‘Falha’ Summarizes Censorship Case in Video
Brazilian journalist Lino Bocchini recorded [pt] a 2 minute video that summarizes the case of the satirical blog Falha de São Paulo. Falha was censored and sued by the newspaper Folha de São Paulo in 2010. Global Voices published an update on the story in May, 2012.
Bahrain: Free Ebrahim Sharif
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif expresses his views on opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif, who is in jail. “I feel so powerless and so ashamed of what is happening here. Especially when to me, the solution is staring everyone in the face,” he writes.
Russia: United Russia Deputy Wants to Sue Navalny for 60 Billion Rubles
Latest developments about wider crackdowns on the Russian protest movement and other campaigns specifically targeting the country's number one blogger.
Egypt: Sexual Harassment as a Weapon Against Dissent?
June 8 was “Determination Friday” in Cairo, and people gathered at Tahrir Square in protest against verdicts from former president Mubarak trial. Fewer remained for the anti-sexual harassment protest starting at 6pm, a clear stand against increasing sexual harassment female protesters suffer. Rayna S. gathers reactions after the protest was attacked.
Poland: Obama's “Polish Death Camp” Gaffe Causes Controversy
In the last days of May, a storm of controversy struck the Polish public opinion when the US President Barack Obama used the expression "a Polish death camp" rather than stating clearly that what he meant was a Nazi Germany-operated death camp on the Polish territory. Anna Gotowska reports.
India: Netizens Respond To Anonymous India's Protests
On 9th of June, 2012 Anonymous India organized gatherings across several Indian cities inviting netizens to join in protest against Internet censorship. Despite low turnout they seem to be able to gear up some sort of publicity. Netizens approved the peaceful protests but questioned Anonymous India's strategy of hacking websites.
Saudi Arabia: Protests to Free Detainees Held Without Trial
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is believed to have thousands of detainees who were not allowed access to trials and many of them do not even know their charges. The families of detainees have been working the past months through social media to spread the word and have finally decided to take their cause to the street. Mona Kareem charts how one protest emerged on Twitter.
Egypt: Spies Ads Feed Distrust In SCAF
Egypt State television aired two advertisements warning Egyptians from foreigners and spies. Netizens react to the ads with ridicule, reasoning and concern.
India: Blogger Gets A Take Down Notice For Exposing Corruption
Kracktivist informs that blogger Vidyut Kale of aamjanata.com had received a take down notice for an article being defamatory. In the alleged post the blogger exposed financial corruption of some influential persons.
