· February, 2011

Stories about Human Rights from February, 2011

Bahrain: Protests Block National Assembly Building

  28 February 2011

Anti government protesters on Monday morning blocked the National Council building where both Parliament and the Shura (Consultative) Councils hold their weekly sessions. The reason for the protest in front of the National Assembly is to topple the bicameral system in addition to the protesters' other demands for a new constitution and the toppling of the regime.

Haiti: Preventable Suffering

  28 February 2011

“The earthquake did not kill people. Bad buildings killed people. Lack of medical care killed people. Lack of infrastructure killed people. Lack of caring government officials kill[s] people”: Dying in Haiti is convinced that “most Haitian suffering is not necessary and is preventable in the first place.”

Bahamas: The Right to Speak Out

  28 February 2011

“I always have and always will speak up when my rights as a homeowner, a citizen and a human being are being threatened”: Womanish Words believes that her voice is the most powerful tool she has.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Death Penalty

  28 February 2011

“Faced with a major problem with serious crime in Trinidad & Tobago, the current government is ( rather predictably) pushing for the reimplementation of the death penalty”: Globewriter is heartened by “a few young activists who are…speaking out” against the move.

Cuba: Watching from Within

  28 February 2011

“There has not [been] enough coverage or information to even begin to address the complexity of these events and the numberless perspectives interpreting them”: Graham Sowa blogs at Havana Times about watching the Middle East protests from Cuba.

Singapore: Human rights record

  28 February 2011

Spotlight on Singapore compares the human rights record of Singapore with Hong Kong and comments that Singapore is trailing in the area of political freedom.

Oman: Protests Continue in Sohar

  28 February 2011

The waves of Arab revolt have reached the shores of Oman as hundreds of Omanis take to the streets in calls for reform and the end of corruption in different areas across the Sultanate. The killing of protesters by riot police sparked more anger - as protesters burned property in retaliation.

Côte d'Ivoire: Images of Vandalised Mosque in Yopougon

  28 February 2011

Ibrahim Diarra posted pictures of a mosque in Yopougon, Côte d'Ivoire which he says was vandalised on February 26 by President Laurent Gbagbo's Young Patriots. The photos appeared on the Facebook page, Pour la paix, rien que la paix en Côte d'Ivoire (“For peace, nothing but peace”). Côte d'Ivoire has...

Azerbaijan: Great People's Day

  27 February 2011

Activists in Azerbaijan have opened a Facebook page, 11 March – Great People's Day in Azerbaijan / 11 Mart – Böyük Xalq Günü, to attract support for their plans to protest after being inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Azerbaijan: Join Us

  27 February 2011

Pro-opposition activists in the Armenian Diaspora are starting to use rap music to communicate their message ahead of next week's demonstration in Yerevan while youth movements in Azerbaijan have long been doing so. Uploaded to YouTube in October, one example is Shirbənd with Bizimlə ol (Join Us) as opposition groups...

Armenia: Homophobia as propaganda?

  27 February 2011

Unzipped: Gay Armenia, one of two blogs written by Mika Artyan, comments on remarks by a major opposition politician linking emigration to homosexuality ahead of this week's rally to call for regime change. The activist blogger, one of the most prominent covering the 2008 presidential election in Armenia as well...

China: Jasmine Revolution, Week Two

  26 February 2011

Following dozens of arrests since an anonymous blog post called for revolutionary gatherings in cities across China last Sunday, a second round of gatherings is scheduled for today. Has the heavy-handed government response turned what many insist was a stunt into something more powerful?

Yemen: “I beg you to help us NOW”

  26 February 2011

While much of Yemen protested peacefully, the country's military used tear gas and fired live weapons on protesters in the sea port of Aden. President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the demonstrations had been hijacked by separatists. But those on the ground claim non-violent protesters were shot and killed.

Cameroon: Police Use Brute Force Against Protesters

  26 February 2011

Opposition groups in Cameroon organized protests on Wednesday Wednesday, February 23, 2011 to call for President Paul Biya to leave office. President Paul Biya, who is running for re-election later this year, has been in power for 28 years. Paul Biya's Special Intervention Brigade crushed the protest with brute force.