Stories about Human Rights from October, 2008
China: To be Dead or Not? Amnesty Appeal for Cop-killer
Scores of scholars and journalists appealed of an amnesty for cop-killer Yangjia, arguing it can be a great time to launch a repeal of death sentence. But opposite voices argued no less weakly that, we have better things to do than saving his life.
Turkey: Blogspot.com Banned
In another long string of website services blocked in the Republic of Turkey, yet another blog service has been blocked Blogger/Blogspot.com. A court in Diyarbakir Turkey has banned Blogger in relation to an intellectual property infringement case. Adam Klempner, translates some of the Turkish bloggers' reactions.
Malaysian Media Council: Double handcuffs or media freedom?
Amidst a number of recent journalistic blunders, Malaysia’s Home Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, announced that the government has full intention of establishing a national media policy, together with a regulatory body over Malaysian media. Syed Hamid said that that a policy is currently being drafted and also that the foundations...
Iraq: Assassination for All Iraqi Interpreters!!!
This is the view that Iraqi Interpreter took of a decision made by the commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq. Under a new rule, Iraqis who work alongside American soldiers as interpreters are to be required to not cover their face while they take part in operations with the US military.
Speaking of Sexual Harassment: Noha makes Egyptians proud!
In an unprecedented case, sexual harasser Sherif Gommaa was sentenced to three years behind bars, hard labour, and was also ordered to pay 5,001 Egyptian pounds fine to Noha Roshdy Saleh for groping her in the street. Egyptian blogger rejoice.
Cuba: Categorizing
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez refuses to be labeled.
Cuba: Ties That Bind?
Steven's Cuba Blog and Havana Times report on the formal resumption of ties between the European Union and Cuba, while Child of the Revolution adds: “the Cubans say they are happy to restart an open and constructive dialogue with the EU – on the Cubans’ terms, of course, which essentially...
Nigerian Blogger Arrested For Sponsoring a ‘Guerilla News Agency’
Nigerian blogger, Jonathan Elendu, has been arrested by the State Security Service (SSS), the federal security enforcement agency in Nigeria. Jonathan Elendu created Elendu Reports in 2005. It is an online news site focusing on federal corruption, economic mismanagement and government inefficiency.
Croatia: More on Ivo Pukanić's Death
Hudin writes about yesterday's blast in Zagreb, Croatia, which killed Ivo Pukanić, publisher and editor-in-chief of Nacional, and Niko Franjić, a journalist: “Pukanić had been fearing for his life for some time. I have no idea as to what his dealings were behind the scenes, but on the surface, he...
Serbia: Asylum Seekers
At Belgraded, a rather heated discussion of Serbian asylum seekers: their true numbers, origins and political views.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Faceless Child Victim” From Srebrenica
Srebrenica Genocide Blog re-posts James Mason‘s photo and writes about Sead Bekric, who was 12 when he was blinded in an explosion in Srebrenica, which killed 62 children and wounded 152 others on April 11, 1993, in Srebrenica.
Egyptian Blogger Nora Younis Wins Human Rights First Award
Egyptian blogger and human rights activist Nora Younis was awarded the Annual Human Rights Award today.
Cuba, Jamaica: Press Freedom Index
Diaspora bloggers from Cuba (Uncommon Sense) and Jamaica (My View of JamDown from Up So) talk about where their respective countries fall in the recently-released Reporters Without Borders 2008 press freedom index.
Egypt: Laila Echoes Reverberate in the Land of the Nile
In its third year, the Kolena Laila (We Are All Laila) campaign took a different turn, reaching out to women with no access to the Internet and giving them a chance to speak to the world. Nermeen Edrees reviews some of the voices which had a chance to be heard.
Colombia: Indigenous Protests and Murders Under Media Blackout
Indigenous groups in the Cauca region of Colombia have been marching and protesting their way to Cali, one of the countries larger cities. Accusations of government fire weapon usage against protesters have bloggers expectant of the outcome.
Haiti, U.S.A.: Powell's Edorsement
Far from being impressed by Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama, The Haitian Blogger says: “In Haiti, Powell was the ‘Head Negro in Charge’ of dismantling Haiti's democracy and installing the Bush administration's goon, Gerard Latortue.”
The Balkans: Roma Mass Graves Discovered
Romano Them re-posts a Reuters piece on the discovery of two mass graves containing the bodies of murdered Roma in Bosanski Dubočac, Bosnia & Herzegovina: “The order for the killings was issued by a number of Croatian Army generals, including Ante Prkačin, claims Nijaz Čaušević Medo, a former high ranking...
Russia, Georgia: Report Says Stan Storimans Was Killed by Cluster Bomb
From the Frontline links to a report on the findings of the Dutch government investigation into the death of a Dutch TV cameraman in Georgia in August; according to the report, Stan Storimans was killed by a Russian cluster bomb. “In May 2008, more than 100 countries agreed to ban...
U.S., Ukraine: Obama and Ukrainian American Voters
Ukrainiana writes about Barack Obama “courting Ukrainian American voters.”
Jamaica: Senseless Murders
“The government and the security forces just seem powerless in the face of these heartless crimes that are being committed in our small island”: Jamaican blogger Stunner says that the violence is hitting too close to home.
China: Photographs and scanned ID cards at Internet Bar
The Beijing government has implemented new regulations requiring all first-time visitors to any of the city’s more than 1,500 internet bars to have their pictures taken and their ID cards scanned on site. – More from David Bandurski, China Media Project.
