Stories about Human Rights from August, 2011
Ukraine: “Proper” vs “Improper” Journalism
At OpenDemocracy.net, Aleksey Matsuka, a Donetsk-based journalist, explains what “proper” journalism means in this Eastern Ukrainian region – and what awaits those who are deemed “improper” journalists.
Croatia, Serbia: A Flag of Friendship
Two young adults from Croatia and Serbia have created a mixed Serbo-Croatian flag, as a gesture of reconciliation between the two countries. Some netizens have condemned the initiative, others seem to approve of it.
Trinidad & Tobago: More Questions on State of Emergency
As the State of Emergency continues in Trinidad and Tobago, the government's communication efforts about it continue to be muddled at best: Is it limited or national? Is there a solid strategy in place or not? Local bloggers are voicing their opinions, confusion and frustration online.
Cuba: Female Activists Detained
Four women who took to Havana's Capitol building to protest recent actions against The Ladies in White have reportedly been detained; Uncommon Sense has the details.
Mauritania: 13 Activists against Child Trafficking Arrested
Four advocacy organizations against human trafficking note that a peaceful sit-in outside the Bureau of juvenile affairs was organized [fr] by l’Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste (Ira) to denounce the insufficient measures taken against child trafficking in Mauritania. 13 members of the association were arrested following the protest....
China: Chinese Lawyer Reveals Details of 108-Day Detention
Siweiluozi translated Chinese lawyer Liu Shihui's account of his 108-day detention since the crack down on political dissidents in February 2011.
Haiti: Grim Housing Situation
Haiti Grassroots Watch investigates whether “the 634,000 people still living in Haiti’s 1,001 camps, and the undoubtedly tens of thousands of others living in unsafe and even condemned structures [will] soon move to safe housing” and discovers an upsetting answer.
Cuba: Amnesty Reports on “Las Damas”
The Ladies in White are on Amnesty International's radar. Read more, here and here.
Lessons Gaddafi Should Have Learnt from North Korea
Joshua from One Free Korea, in comparing the North Korean situation with the fall of Gaddafi, explains about the importance of the nuclear deterrent in sustaining the North Korean regime and its dictator, Kim Jong-il.
Trinidad and Tobago: Debating a State of Emergency
On Sunday 21 August, the government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a national state of emergency to deal with the violent crime that has afflicted the Caribbean nation in recent years. This legal move — which affects citizens' civil rights — triggered debate and concern among Trinidadians online.
Russia: Memories of 1991
Kim Green of The Greenery shares her memories of living in Russia in 1991 as a student, right after the August Coup 20 years ago.
Russia, Libya: RT's Coverage of the Conflict
Democratist writes about Russia Today's coverage of the situation in Libya.
Iran: “Tonight, the Islamic Regime's Generals will Have Nightmares”
Several Iranian cyber activists celebrated the victory of anti-Muammar Gaddafi forces in Libya, and compared it with the situations in Iran and Syria. They shared in the joy of liberation with Libyans, but also expressed their anxieties for the future.
Ukraine: Yuri Lutsenko's Case “Falling Apart”
Foreign Notes writes that the criminal case against Yuri Lutsenko, Ukraine's former Minister of the Interior, is “falling apart.”
Russia: “Democracy Without Balls”
Oleg Klimov writes [ru] that Mikhail Gorbachev, speaking on the 20th anniversary of the Soviet Union's collapse, said that “Putin is no dictator – he has just castrated democracy by depriving citizens of the democratic right to choose.”
D.R. of Congo: End Congo Rape Campaign Launched Online
End Cong Rape online campaign has been launched: “The aim of this site is to inform people on the plight of women in the east of the Congo, as well as to encourage people to get involved and donate.”
Colombia: Football Federation Rejects ‘Bolillo’ Gómez's Resignation as Head Coach
The Colombian Football Federation has rejected the resignation of Hernán Darío Gómez (‘Bolillo’) as head coach of the national football team which he presented after hitting a woman. On social networks Colombians have shared everything from comments on respecting women to speculations about who might replace him.
Somalia: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan In Mogadishu
afrik.com reports [fr] on Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit in Mogadishu: “The prime minister, his wife Emine and other [Turkish] political and business leaders, as well as artists, are in Somalia to meet the victims of the drought and famine raging in the country.”
Brazil: Construction Starts on Controversial Belo Monte Dam
Despite the protesting voices of indigenous populations and traditional settlers of Volta Grande do Xingu region, construction on Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric plant has begun. Protests against the project will take place in 10 Brazilian cities and 16 countries on August 20.
Indonesia: Prison Situation
Leo Sudaryono identifies chronic corruption, threat of gang violence, over-crowding, poor quality water and sanitation, and an absence of basic health and education services as among the main problems facing Indonesia's prisons.
Costa Rica: Slut Walk Reactions, Religion and Women's Rights
Last Sunday 14 August, 2011, the Costa Rican Slut Walk took place in the capital city of San Jose causing both a media and religious backlash due to allegedly violent anti-church chants and performances. The ongoing debate has been covered on both citizen and mass media outlets as people react to the Costa Rican version of this worldwide protest.
