Stories about Human Rights from June, 2010
Czech Republic: Dr. Milada Horáková's Death 60 Years Ago
The Reference Frame writes about the execution of Dr. Milada Horáková 60 years ago: “Many people were killed by the communists but she has clearly been the brightest woman ever murdered by them.”
Malaysia: Migrant worker fired for lodging complaint with government
jelas.info from Malaysia uploads a letter from labor groups highlighting the case of a migrant worker who was fired by an employer after lodging a complaint with the labor department.
Cuba: Spotlight on Fariñas
“In the wake of the death of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Cuban independent journalist Guillermo Fariñas started a hunger strike to demand the release of some two dozen seriously ill political prisoners”: As his condition worsens, Uncommon Sense applauds his bravery.
Egypt: Allegations Against Khaled Said
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia comments on the allegations surfacing against Khaled Said – who was allegedly killed by police officers.
Egypt: Faceook Group Against Torture
A Facebook group was formed by Egyptian activists to mark the International Day Against Torture.
Middle East: Goodbye Saramago
Bloggers across the Middle East mourned the death of Portuguese writer Jose Saramago. Tarek Amr rounds up their reactions.
Egypt: The Ministry of Interior Seeks Revenge
Egyptian activists have utilised citizen media to the fullest in exposing police torture and corruption. Marwa Rakha writes about their newest initiative and uncovers the case of an Egyptian activist held in neighbouring Libya in this post.
Pakistan: Perils Of Mixing State With Religion
Pakistani blogger Ayesha N. Rashid at Pak Tea House opines that “The 1974 decision to mingle state with religion developed the country (Pakistan) into an intolerant society.”
Lebanon: Letter to the President
Lebanese blogger finkployd writes a letter to the Lebanese President Michel Suleiman after three people were arrested for insulting him on Facebook.
Croatia: 9th Annual GLBT Pride Parade
The Daily Seyahatname/Blogging Balkanistan writes about Zagreb's ninth annual GLBT Pride Parade and notes that “President Ivo Josipovic became the first Croatian president to publicly support” the event.
Rwanda: Worrying signs in Kigali
Worrying signs in Kigali: “Jean-Leonard Rugambage, the editor of the Umuvugizi newspaper in Kigali, was gunned down in front of his home on Thursday. A man came up to his car as he was driving into his gate and shot him in the head and chest, killing him immediately.”
Brazil: Standing Against Mining in Gandarela
Local communities and netcitizens who care for the biodiverse Serra da Gandarela in Minas Gerais, Brazil, are taking a stand against Vale S.A. - a major mining multinational whose record is not one of the best at the eyes of environmental groups.
Worldwide: The oil spills that don't make the news
The tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has the world's attention on the devastation that badly managed oil extraction can bring. However, in some places around the world, people live with toxic spills such as these and through videos people try to bring the world's attention to their plight.
Iran: A woman may face stoning to death
According to several blogs including Rahrovaneraheakbar [fa], Sakine Mohmadi Ashtyani may face stoning to death in near future in Tabriz, in Iran. She was accused of having sex with two men who killed her husband.
Iran: People resisted the Morality Police
A video film shows how people in Rasht, in the northern Iran, resisted the Morality Police when they wanted to arrest a woman. Read more here.
D.R. of Congo: The Murder of Human Rights Activist Floribert Chebeya
Floribert Chebeya, the leader of a human rights organization in D.R. of Congo, was found dead on June 2 under suspicious circumstances. Protests against his murder and other killings and rapes are planned by the Congolese diaspora this week.
Russia: Charges Against Alexanyan Dropped
Robert Amsterdam reports that “Russian prosecutors have finally dropped their case against Yukos lawyer Vasily Aleksanyan”: “But I don't really see this as a sign of clemency or change, or a sudden recognition of judicial independence. Russia just admitted that it held an innocent individual for two years for no...
India:
Dheera Sujan at South Asia Wired highlights the works of an organization named ‘I Hear Foundation’, which is “working with hearing impaired kids and their parents to help diagnose, treat, and then help the children assimilate into a hearing world”.
Cuba: For the Bloggers
Generation Y posts interviews with Dr. Darsi Ferrer and Juan Juan Almeida.
Ghana: Employment challenges for the disabled
Nana writes about employment challenges for the disabled in Ghana.
Cambodia: “Development evictions”
Cambodia ranks first among Asian countries in the number of ‘development’ evictions or the act of demolishing urban poor settlements in the name of ‘development.’
