Stories about Human Rights from November, 2012
Spain: Catalan Newspaper Censors Blog for Reporting Hunger Strike
Catalan journalist and Global Voices contributor Lali Sandiumenge recently decided to disassociate her blog on digital activism, Guerreros del teclado or "Keyboard Warriors" from Catalonia's leading daily newspaper, La Vanguardia . The decision came after the publication's editorial staff decided to delete a post explaining a hunger strike in Barcelona by six workers of Telefónica, a telecommunications company in Spain.
Bangladesh Protests Against Open Pit Coal Mining in Phulbari
In Phulbari, 350 kilometers northwest of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, local communities have come together to raise their voices against the proposed Phulbari open pit coal mining project. If implemented, it will evict almost 100000 inhabitants from more than 100 villages within a 59 sq. km radius and will create a long term impact on the environment.
Brazil: More Dialogue Needed to Solve the Conflict of the Guarani-Kaiowá
The Youtube account A Luta Guarani released a video interview [pt] with the Guarani-Kaiowá anthropologist Tonico Benites. He comments on the attacks by farmers of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and calls for more dialogue to solve the conflicts. In April 2012, an open letter [pt] written by Benites...
Saudi Judge: “What applies to the ruler, does not apply to those he rules”
Earlier today, Riyadh Criminal Court held the sixth hearing session of the ongoing trial of the two prominent human rights activists Mohammad Al-Qahtani and Abdullah Al-Hamid. Today's session was solely a debate between the judge and the defendants, and the public prosecutor did not talk at all. Sixty-five people attended the session, in which the judge argued: "What applies to the ruler, does not apply to those he rules."
Made in Libya: Blogger Ahmed Ben Wafaa
Ahmed Ben Wafaa is a science teacher who started blogging in 2000 to express himself on the state of things in his country and through his blog "Made in Libya" he succeeded in becoming a source of information during the Libyan revolution. Ahmed Ben Jeddou interviewed him to know more about blogging and citizen media in Libya before and after the revolution
Pakistan: Five Bomb Explosions Rock Three Cities In A Day
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 was a horrendous day when a series of suicide bombings were targeted at Imambargahs (Muharram mourning processions) and law enforcement agencies in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Quetta. However, netizens noted that acts of terrorism perpetrated against Shia Muslims didn't get the same level of attention compared to Israel's attacks on Gaza Strip.
Pakistan Stands With Palestine
A number of rallies and protests were held in Pakistan to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their recent conflict with Israel. Using social media, people have raised concerns over the grave situation, displayed support and also condemned the government for being more involved in Gaza rather than dealing with the increased terrorism back home.
Trinidad & Tobago: Hunger Striker Prepared to go the Distance to Protest Highway
Environmental activist and literature professor Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh has gone on a hunger strike to protest the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir section of a highway in southeastern Trinidad. Bloggers discuss whether his cause is worth his life.
Iran: Ten Members of Pan-Iranist Party Arrested
Several bloggers reported that security forces arrested ten members of Pan-Iranist Party in Iran. Neshador writes media remained silent about this case. [Update:most of them were released after few days of detention]
China: Re-education through Labour System Under Fire
A number of state-controlled media outlets ran articles criticizing the process of re-education through the labour system. Some netizens are speculating that this may be a sign of impending legal reform under the new leadership of the Chinese Communist Party after the 18th Party Congress. (more from China Media Project)
China: Last Words of 19 Tibetans Who Committed Self-Immolation
Tsering Woeser, a dissent writer who reports on the human rights situation in Tibet, has collected 19 last wills and testaments of Tibetans who self-immolated to help people understand their grievances.
Mobs Burn Dalit Homes in Response to Intercaste Marriage in India
On 7 November 2012 up to 2,000 people attacked three Dalit settlements in the Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu, India. A nursing student, from a Shudra community married a man from a Dalit community and when the father of the bride committed suicide in disgrace, mobs attacked the Dalit community.
Israeli Media Criticized for Coverage of Gaza Conflict
The latest round of fighting between Israel and Gaza militants was covered around the clock in Israel. Media outlets largely adopted the government's narrative and justifications for the offensive. Leftist Israeli bloggers and netizens, while criticizing the government throughout the operation, also attacked what they saw as a biased coverage of the events.
Why Vote-Rigging in Ukraine's Elections Shouldn't Go Unpunished
Ukraine’s recent parliamentary elections were marred by allegations of vote-rigging and other forms of corruption. Veronica Khokhlova reveals some of the criticisms leveled by Ukrainian civil society against the elections, and argues that this may be the time for the opposition to rally around a common cause.
Mauritanian Teachers Break into Education Minister's Office
A group of secondary school teachers broke into and entered the office of the Minister of Education in protest against the arbitrary transfer of 120 teachers following their participation in last year's strikes.
Russia, Tajikistan: Who is Insulted by the Migrant Worker's Guide?
The youth wing of the ruling People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan has condemned the 'Migrant Worker's Guide' published in Russia. However, a blogger thinks that Russia is doing more for Tajikistan's migrant workers than their home country.
Did News Story on Riches of China's Premier Weaken Reformists?
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo’s final days in office have been tainted by allegations that his family has used their power and influence to amass a personal fortune. The scandal also prompted China’s netizens to speculate on the internal struggle within the Communist Party.
China: Five Street Children Suffocated to Death in Dumpster
Last week, on Friday November 16, five young children were found dead in a dumpster, due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Guizhou province. Anthony Tao from Beijing Cream reported on the sad story.
Social Pressure Halts Evictions Temporarily in Spain
After years of action, the associations and platforms that formed in protest against home evictions in Spain achieved their first great success. The Spanish Banking Association announced that all evictions for families with small children, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed will be suspended for the next two years.
Brazilian Court Suspends Eviction Order of Indigenous Guarani-Kaiowá
The mass online mobilization that followed an appeal from the Guaraní-Kaiowá indigenous community of Pyelito Kue in Mato Grosso do Sul gave crucial support to their struggle to resist expulsion from their lands. In late October, the Brazilian courts decided to suspend their eviction order. However, the struggle continues until their lands are officially demarcated.