Stories about Human Rights from February, 2010
Iran: Cyber Islamic Militarism on the March
The internet is usually touted as a space for dialogue and peaceful exchange, but in the case of Iran, the political conflict has also morphed into new forms of online "warfare" where the most powerful weapons are those that silence free speech.
Haiti: Reading the Reports
Repeating Islands republishes segments of a report on HIV infections in Haiti, while Haiti Vox links to a story on “who's getting the first Haiti contracts”, saying: “It's important for us to widely circulate this information, and to HELP Haitian groups who may want to apply…it's also important for Haiti...
Haiti: Moving On
“The men and women of Haiti are strong and ready to show the world that they can rebuild their country”: Wadner Pierre says that Haitians are ready to move on post-earthquake.
Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame
Following even more examples of homophobia in the media in Armenia, Unzipped: Gay Armenia has started a Homophobia Hall of Shame. In the first new posting for the list, the blog details the homophobia of the head of one major local radio station and advises international donors to choose wisely...
Bahamas, Haiti: Migration Debate
“The level of ignorance, fear and hate-mongering surrounding the Haitian migration to the Bahamas is astounding – especially when one considers the fact that Africans living in Haiti achieved the first successful slave revolt in history against one of the world's most advanced nations”: Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit weighs...
US Bloggers On The Case Of Kidnapping Haitian Orphans
As Haiti slowly treads on the path to recovery and rebuilding, there is a sense of renewed concern for the countries children - especially the orphans. US bloggers react on the news of the missionaries charged with kidnapping Haitian orphans.
Kenya: Church abuses need to be investigated
Njamba discussses church abuses in Kenya: “The Catholic church in Kenya needs to be Investigated of sexual abuses. I know of Cases in Githunguri Diocese where a priest Impregnated two schools girls.”
Russia: Human Rights Activists’ Blogs
A list of links to Russian human rights activists’ blogs (RUS) – at Human Rights in Russia (hro.org).
Russia: Avatar & North Caucasus – Fiction vs Reality
LJ user burtin posts this comment (RUS) about Avatar: “Interesting that people cry [as they watch] Avatar – while reports from Chechnya and Ingushetia leave them totally indifferent. Even though archetypally the same is happening there – only the people are real, not [computer-generated]. […] If this were happening in...
Sri Lanka: World Bank And Web Censorship
“Will the World Bank indirectly support web censorship in Sri Lanka?” asks Sanjana Hattotuwa at ICT For Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) blog.
My Name is Khan – Cultural Politics in India
A look at the Hindi blog-posts related to the Bollywood film 'My Name Is Khan' reveals an interesting fact - that the reactions to this film have more to do with the cultural politics in India than with the aesthetic value of the film itself.
Haiti: A Month Later
“The time has come for each Haitian wherever you are, and whoever you are to take a stand, and say ‘NO’ to the bureaucracy that worsens the situation in Haiti right now”: A month after the earthquake in Haiti, Wadner Pierre posts his impressions.
Iran: Bus Drivers Union Calls for Green-Labor Unity
In Ahwaznews, an Iranian blog we read [fa]:”Starting March 6, We the Workers of Vahed Company [bus drivers] Will Wage Acts of Civil Disobedience (or white strike) to Protest the Condition of Mansoor Osanloo in Prison. We Appeal to the Iranian People and to the Democratic Green Movement–of which we...
Egypt: One year on from Gaza
Philip Rizk writes his thoughts and memories, a year after his abduction by Egyptian authorities – during his participation in the “To Gaza” march. He then covers a protest organized in Cairo in coordination with activists in Beirut, calling for an end to the construction of the Wall of Shame...
Palestine: Going to School
Mohamed Khaled, posted pictures for Palestinian students going to schools.
Iran: No Triumphs for Green Protests on Anniversary of Revolution
In protests on February 11, Iran's Green Movement were not able to mobilize as strongly as they have in the past due to the swift work of security forces.
Russia: Theater Play to “Reconstruct” Lawyer Magnitsky's Death
The death of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old lawyer who spent nearly a year in jail awaiting trial, received much publicity and prompted Russian authorities to introduce some changes. The case also inspired a public discussion of prison conditions in Russia, which is now likely to move to a new level, as a Moscow theater is working on a documentary play that would "reconstruct" the horror of Magnitsky's final hours.
Uzbekistan: Entry restricted for Kyrgyz citizens
Kyrgyz blogger writes about Uzbekistan's resitriction to Kyrgyz citizen to visit Uzbekistan more than once in three months.
Macedonia: NGO's Statement on Internet Regulations by the State
Macedonia-based Metamorphosis: Foundation for Sustainable ICT Solutions has issued a statement “on the role of the state in the process of protecting children from the risks of using new technologies, by applying internet content filtering systems and systems for categorization of computer games.”
Pakistan: Website Blocked AT IP Level
Teeth Maestro reports that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked the website http://makepakistanbetter.com on an IP level, apparently for posting criticisms against the government.
Haiti: On Orphans
“There are a small handful of beautiful programs working in Haiti to raise orphans to adulthood and teaching them to give back to their country. It takes a lot to pull that off. It takes strong and committed Haitian leadership”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog calls for a balanced perspective on...
