· April, 2010

Stories about Human Rights from April, 2010

Cuba: Hunger Strikers

  20 April 2010

El Cafe Cubano links to a story which claims that imprisoned hunger striker Guillermo Fariñas is close to death, while Uncommon Sense reports that yet another Cuban political prisoner has started a hunger strike.

Egypt: Let's Shoot those Protesters!

In a debate on recurrent demonstrations, Egyptian ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) members of Parliament lashed out during a verbal battle with Muslim Brotherhood MPs over protesters in the country and said Egyptian pro-democracy demonstrators “should be shot” by police. Bloggers react in this post by Marwa Rakha.

Azerbaijan: Act of revenge against bloggers

  20 April 2010

Following news that imprisoned video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli have been moved to separate prisons, Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines says that one media outlet reports that the two prisons are among the worst in the country and alleges the move is nothing more than an...

Sri Lanka: Heading For An Internet Dark Age?

  19 April 2010

“Given the bent of the Defence Secretary, post-war Sri Lanka is set to head into an Internet dark age,” comments Sanjana Hattotuwa while discussing about the inclination of the Sri Lankan government on internet censorship.

Russia: The ‘Little Blue Buckets’ Protest

RuNet Echo  19 April 2010

The Little Blue Buckets mock protest, initiated (RUS) by LJ user cook, took place in Moscow Sunday, as drivers fitted their cars with blue plastic buckets (siniye vedyorki) to protest the impunity of state officials who routinely use blue flashing lights (migalki) on their vehicles to violate traffic rules and...

Philippines: Veteran Journalists Receives Death Threats

  18 April 2010

Durianburgdavao reports on the death threats received by veteran Filipino journalist Marites Vitug after the publication of her book, Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court which is critical of the inner workings of the Philippine judiciary.

China: Verdict announced in Fujian Three netizen trial

  18 April 2010

The three netizens in Fujian province arrested last summer for their role in seeking the truth behind the death of Yan Xiaoling were given sentences on Friday ranging from 1-2 years. One retired senior official sees the charges as part of a larger crackdown on social activism.

Lebanon: Marching for Secularism

Lebanese Laïque Pride will hold a rally for secularism on April 25. They are a group of citizens who are calling for the full implementation of article (c) of the Lebanese Constitution's preamble: “Respect for the freedom of opinion and belief,” “social justice,” and “equality of rights and duties between...

Lebanon: 24/7 Campaign for Migrants’ Rights

The 24/7: Campaign is a new online campaign working to alter the servant stereotype established between an Asian/African person and a Lebanese person. It is raising awareness to the fact that migrant workers are business persons from sophisticated cultures. The campaign aims at improving work conditions which, despite the recently...

Lebanon: Combating Domestic Violence

“In the Middle East, many still believe it is ok for a man to beat his wife. KAFA is one organization that is working hard to erase this mentality of acceptance. Dinosaurs are extinct; it’s time for domestic violence to become extinct, too.” Developing Lebanon posted about an event held by...

Cuba: Testimony

  16 April 2010

Uncommon Sense reports that a Cuban prisoner of conscience has testified about “the tortures suffered by fellow political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo between when he was imprisoned in April 2003 and when he died on Feb. 23 of this year”, a development which the blogger calls “an important part of...

Sri Lanka: A Predictable Election

  15 April 2010

On 8th of April Sri Lankan voters went to vote to elect 225 representatives in the parliament to form a new government. The election saw a low turnout and was marred with violence. Sri Lankan bloggers analyzes the result and question the election process.

Haiti: Controversial Statistics

  14 April 2010

The Haitian Blogger contends that, contrary to some mainstream media messages, “Haiti does NOT have the ‘worst HIV infection rate in the region’.”

Uruguay: New Holiday Commemorates Charrúa Massacre

  14 April 2010

For the first time on April 11, 2010, Uruguayans commemorated a day remembering the 1831 massacre against the Charrúa indigenous people. Supporters of the Charrúa and the law allowing this holiday see this as a small but significant step toward embracing the indigenous heritage of the country.

China: Strolling to save East Lake in Wuhan repressed

  14 April 2010

East Lake, located at Wuhan city, is a state listed ecological tourist scenic area. It occupies 82 square kilometers, 6 times larger than the Hanzhou West Lake. Being a national 4A tourist area, its planning should be subjected to environmental assessment and public participation accordingly. However, in May 2009, a...

Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Rights

  13 April 2010

“Thousands of GLBT voters will be participating in the upcoming general election”: Trinidad and Tobago's gspottt wants “a responsible government that is going to protect and take care of all its people, and not leave some behind, regardless of which party or coalition wins at the polls.”

Cuba: Hunger Strike Victory

  13 April 2010

Cuban political prisoner Dr. Darsi Ferrer has ended his hunger strike “after officials said they would meet his demands”, which Uncommon Sense says is “good news for freedom in Cuba” and suggests that “it's now more than time for the regime to similarly bring an end to a hunger strike...