Stories about Human Rights from November, 2009
Sri Lanka: Future Of Freedom And Democracy
Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe at Groundviews discusses the fate of the internally detained persons and the future of freedom and democracy in Sri Lanka.
Iran: Students surprised Ahmadinejad's advisor in Paris
Iranian students in Paris criticized Iranian government and its repression policy against Iranian students and opposition in a meeting with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian president's advisor in Paris. Here are the films [fa].
Iran: A blogger released, another arrested
Iranian authorities released Mohammad Ali Abtahi,former vice president and blogger on a $700,000 bail one week ago after his lawyer said he had been sentenced to six years in prison. Human rights activists reported [fa] that a few days ago Sasan Aghayi, a blogger and journalist got arrested in Tehran.
Trinidad & Tobago: Right the Wrongs
Now Is Wow Too says the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister's position on gay rights “leaves much to be desired”.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Gender Violence
Discuss SVG “question[s] the foundation” of violence against women in Caribbean societies.
Video: Worldwide youth express themselves in 60 seconds
The OneMinutesJr project gives young people between 12 and 20 years of age from many corners of the globe the opportunity to express themselves across borders, languages and distances through 60 second videos.
Hungary: Violence “Behind Doors”
This month, Hungarian NGOs joined the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. Marietta Le describes the situation with domestic violence in Hungary and translates one blogger's post on the subject.
Bangladesh: Hijra Dance Festival
Ashok Deb at LGBTI Bangladesh blog posts videos of a Hijra dance Competition in Dhaka.
Cambodia: End of first Khmer Rouge Tribunal deemed a relative success
Many in the international community are calling the first Khmer Rouge Tribunal trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, a relative success as the trial closed. However, there are indications that Cambodian officials may not participate in future cases making it difficult to conduct a fair trial for the four Khmer Rouge members awaiting trial
Cuba: Call to Respect Human Rights
As four Cuban dissidents are reportedly arrested in Havana, Uncommon Sense profiles political prisoner Oscar Biscet's call for his compatriots “to join an international campaign set for next month to demand that the Castro dictatorship respect human rights.”
USA: Native American Heritage Day
A new National Native American National Heritage day is being honored in the United States on November 27, the day after most people there celebrated Thanksgiving. Native Americans rejoice - online and elsewhere.
Russia: Tatarstan Blogger Sentenced to Almost 2 Years in Penal Colony
On Sept. 12, 2008, Tatar blogger and journalist Irek Murtazin blogged about rumors of Tatarstan president Mintimir Shaimiev's death. On Nov. 26, 2009, Murtazin was convicted of defamation and incitement to hatred and sentenced to 1 year and 9 months of penal colony.
Brazil: The Violence Against Women Debate
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Brazilian bloggers reignite the debate and campaign to end violence.
Central America: Saying No to Violence Against Women
Across Central America, online campaigns and activities to raise awareness about the issue of Violence Against Women are taking place across the region. Many of these efforts are attracting the interest and participation of bloggers who share their thoughts on this issue.
Russia: Defense Ministry Reports “Non-Combat Losses” Online
Russia's Defense Ministry reports on its website that suicides, accidents, murders, and, possibly, manslaughter claimed 297 lives in the country's armed forces from Jan. to Oct. 2009, and that 149 of these deaths were suicides. Andrei Skvarsky reports on some of the Russian netizens' reactions to these figures.
Video: End Violence Against Women Around the World
Today, November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and through videos, many people and organizations around the world are expressing their need to end the violence as well as the efforts they are undertaking to ensure that women have a safer world to live in.
Greece: Police violence against migrant woman triggers reforms
A migrant woman from Armenia was beaten by police in Athens, Greece this week, leading to renewed promises of police reform from the new socialist government. A minister responds directly to citizen complaints via Twitter for the first time.
Puerto Rico: Voices Against Violence
On occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, bloggers in Puerto Rico have written posts on how violence affects their lives, their families, and their communities. They have written poetry, in-depth analyses, and intimate reflections. Let's see their faces, read their texts, and listen to their voices.
China: Children who are left behind
On November 12, several days before the International Children's Day, an explosion erupted in an illegal fire cracker factory in Guangxi which resulted in 2 children workers dead and 11 others injured. According to the Southern Weekend's report, these children victims were left behind by their parents, who are migrant...
Egypt's First Adult Graphic Novel Officially Banned
Magdy El Shafee's adult graphic novel Metro has been banned in Egypt, following a court order. Bloggers and Facebook users react to the decision, which they say is yet another blow to freedom of expression.
Uzbekistan: Authorities Free Sanjar Umarov
Noah Tucker reports that Sanjar Umarov, one of the most famous political prisoner in Uzbekistan, earlier charged with tax evasion and embezzlement after founding an opposition party in 2005, has been released from prison.
