Stories about Human Rights from January, 2008
Iran:Bloggers Solidarity Day with jailed students
Hundreds of bloggers support jailed students.According to Negha bi Hejab[Fa],on 31st January,the bloggers will change their blogs’ names in “January 31 (Bahman 10 in iranian agenda),Bloggers Solidarity Day with jailed students.” Many students are jailed for their ideas in Iran.Most of them were arrested 50 days ago.
China: A net campaign for the parents of slaves
A net campaign has been launched to aid the forgotten victims in the 2007 Chinese slave scandal--- the parents of the kiln workers. They share the pain of their children, the afflicting memory being a life-time scar. Some of their kids are yet lost, while the government is putting no more concern on the issue, leaving them wading alone. The internet is rallying a donation to comfort them with a warm Chinese New Year.
Lithuania: Vytautas Sriubikis; the Hill of Crosses
Viola in Vilnius writes about Lithuanian flautist Vytautas Sriubikis – and briefly mentions the Hill of Crosses, quite an extraordinary place near the town of Siauliai, which “not surprisingly is a hill covered in crosses, and a bit of a place of pilgrimage.”
Serbia, UK: Fascism and the Left
Greater Surbiton writes on leftist interpretations of fascism – and of Serbian politics.
Serbia: Support for Vladimir Vukčević
Alan Jakšić of Balkan Anarchist declares his support for Serbia's war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević, who has recently “received a death threat from fellow Serbs in the diaspora.”
Russia: Decossackization
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about the history of Decossackization in Russia and recommends a book on the subject, written by Gregory Tschebotarioff, a former Cossack officer, now a professor at Princeton University.
Bahrain: State Acts as Religious Policeman
Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif brings us the story of Maya, whose marriage in India and conversion into Hinduism led the Bahraini authorities to confiscate her passport.
Bahrain: Letter to King
Bahraini political activist Abduljalil Al Singace reposts an open letter sent to Bahrain's King Hamad from Frontline, who express their deep concern following an attack on women during a demonstration at the Prosecutor's Office on 25 December 2007.
Bahrain: Conditions of Migrant Workers
Esra'a from Bahrain links to a media interview conducted with her about the conditions of migrant workers in the Gulf.
South Korea: New President to Close the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
Jamie from Two Koreas blogs about women organizations’ petition against the newly elected president Lee Myung Bak's plan to close the ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Ukraine: A Porous Border
Ukrainian news site Korrespondent.net posted a translation of a Sunday Times story on Ukraine's porous borders and illegal migration. The English-language original has received 16 reader comments so far, the Russian translation - 88 comments. While many readers admitted that the problem of illegal migration existed in Ukraine and that corruption among officials contributed to it, most did not seem happy about the Sunday Times' story.
Environment: Nobel Laureate speaks out on security in Kenya
From Pambazuka:Prof. Wangari Maathai, a nobel laureate (Environment) speaks out against the loss of lives and property in Kenya. “She said although such clashes had a history, the Government had failed to deal with its instigators and perpetrators. Prof Maathai said the Government should ensure the rule of law is...
Ukraine: Crimean Tatars Protest
Orange Ukraine writes, among other things, about Crimean Tatars’ protests in Simferopol over the long-delayed construction of a mosque.
Slovenia: EU Presidency Update
Marko Bucik writes about Slovenia's “overshadowed” EU presidency: “Then comes Kosovo. This will be perhaps the only headline news for the Slovenian Presidency – be it good or bad news.”
Syria: Bloggers React to Gaza Blockade
As Israel continues its blockade on the strip, humanitarian conditions dip lower and lower. And while the Middle East shivers under the exceptional weather conditions, Gazans find themselves without fuel for heat or electricity. Yazan Badran records the reactions of Syria's bloggers on the unfolding tragedy.
Russia: The North
Window on Eurasia writes that “small ethnic groups of Russia’s north suffer […] from abuse in the post-Soviet media which appear to treat them all as one enormous and inappropriate Chukchi joke.”
Israel: Israeli Bloggers Respond to Crisis in Palestine
Israel's bloggers take to their keyboards to express their frustration at the one-sided coverage of the crisis in Gaza, Palestine. Maya Norton rounds up their reactions in this post.
Egypt: Gaza In the Headlines
Eman Abd Al Rahman brings us the latest headlines from the Egyptian blogosphere decrying the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. A four-day blockade has plunged Gaza in darkness, sparking international calls and anger on the Arab street to stop the carnage.
Pitch Black Gaza: Jordanian Bloggers React!
As the Israeli onslaught in Gaza continues this week, the death toll continues to climb. With many of the dead being civilians and the European Union labeling the Israeli offensive as 'collective punishment', the situation has not sat well with Jordanian bloggers. Here's what they had to say in the past few days.
Russia, Moldova: More on Natalia Morar's Case
More on journalist Natalia Morar's case – at Sean's Russia Blog (plus an interesting discussion in the comments section).
