· November, 2012

Stories about Human Rights from November, 2012

Spain: Catalan Newspaper Censors Blog for Reporting Hunger Strike

  25 November 2012

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

  25 November 2012

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.

Saudi Judge: “What applies to the ruler, does not apply to those he rules”

  24 November 2012

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

  24 November 2012

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

  24 November 2012

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

  24 November 2012

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.

China: Re-education through Labour System Under Fire

  23 November 2012

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)

Mobs Burn Dalit Homes in Response to Intercaste Marriage in India

  22 November 2012

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

  22 November 2012

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.

Did News Story on Riches of China's Premier Weaken Reformists?

  21 November 2012

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.

Social Pressure Halts Evictions Temporarily in Spain

  20 November 2012

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

  20 November 2012

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.