Stories about Human Rights from October, 2013
Pakistani Web Rallies Against Proposed Ban on Whatsapp, Viber and Skype
Pakistan's online community has not taken kindly to the Sindh provincial government's talk of banning the messaging apps temporarily in the interest of security.
363 Coffins Close, Reopening the Debate on Illegal Immigration in Europe
The shipwreck of a boat full of immigrants off the coast of Lampedusa, which caused more than 360 deaths, reopens the debate in Europe on illegal immigration.
Saudi Prisoners’ Visits Cancelled, Family Members Arrested
Relatives of Saudi prisoners were not only denied visits during the Eid Al Adha holidays, but were also arrested when they staged a sit-in to see their loved ones.
‘Chayn’, a New Website for Pakistan's Victims of Domestic Abuse
The new volunteer-led, crowdsourced website is trying to help women in Pakistan, where an estimated 70-80 percent of women are subject to some form of abuse at home.
Free Expression, Right to Information Focus of Blog Action Day Brazil
Online censorship and police repression on the streets are problems yet to be overcome in Brazil, bloggers wrote.
GV Face: Malala's Pakistan
This week we talk about why Pakistan feels so conflicted about Nobel Peace Prize nominee Malala and the role social media has played in spreading her fame and discredit.
Chile: Police Special Forces Evict Mapuche Community From Contested Lands
A self-denominated “autonomous” indigenous community, Temucuicui has occupied what they consider to be ancestral lands for over two years, resisting several eviction attempts.
#Humanrights On Blog Action Day: The Ignored Issue Of Disappearance In Nepal
The National Network of Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal claims that more than 1,400 people were forcibly disappeared during a decade long (1996-2006) civil war. Siromani Dhungana at ‘United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal’ reports that the issue of disappearance has not been addressed properly by the state...
‘Can We Call Ourselves Free?': Indians Talk #HumanRights On Blog Action Day
The fight for human rights in India, where child labor, indigenous exploitation, entrenched stereotypes and other violations remain a problem, is far from over, bloggers wrote...
Elderly Care in Portugal Highlighted on Blog Action Day
The Community Center of Gafanha do Carmo [pt], in Ílhavo, was highlighted by João Paulo Pedrosa as a positive example [pt] concerning elderly care in Portugal. On October 16's Blog Action Day dedicated to human rights, the blogger, from Malfadado o Contestatário, started by questioning: Quantas pessoas idosas vêem os seus direitos ignorados, esquecidos ou até...
Infant Girl Who Sparked Bosnia's ‘Babylution’ Dies
Seven-month-old Belmina Ibrišević passed away in a hospital in Germany. A lapse in Bosnian passport law prevented her earlier treatment.
On Blog Action Day, Thousands of Blogs on Human Rights
Bloggers around the world, including Global Voices contributors, are highlighting this year's #BAD13 topic: human rights.
Léonarda, 15, Arrested During a School Trip and Deported
Léonarda Dibrani, 15, was on field trip with her schoolmates when she was detained by the french police, near Levier, France. She was later deported with the rest of her family [fr] to Kosovo as illegal immigrants. The Dibrani family fled Kosovo about five years ago because they are Roma. Léonarda...
1300 Days of Protest for Missing Balochs in Pakistan
In Balochistan, where decades of separatist fighting have left thousands dead and many more missing, activist Abdul Qadeer Baloch has kept vigil in a camp for the victims.
Australian Catholic Cardinal Center of Child Sexual Abuse Scandal
There are three inquiries in Australia into institutional responses to sexual abuse of children. Cardinal George Pell is the centre of the controversy for his approach to offenders and victims.
Marking The 30th Anniversary Of The Beurs’ March For Equality
30 years ago (October 15, 1983), a march for equality against racism [fr] began in Marseille with 32 people, mostly of Arab origin, to ask for the right to vote and a 10-year resident card. The Beurs’ March (Beur is a colloquial french term for people with roots in Northern Africa) arrived in Paris on December 3...
Saudis Celebrate Four Years of ACPRA, Their Defiant Human Rights Organization
The Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) marks its fourth anniversary today. Saudi netizens celebrate its achievements.
Chinese Journalist Arrested After Exposing Corruption Online
Liu Hu was formally arrested after seven weeks of detention on charges related to his posts on Sina Weibo detailing the alleged corruption of four high-ranking officials.
Nobel Peace Prize Fails to Pacify
Assad for Nobel Peace Prize 2014? This is one of many reactions after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was named as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Why is Cuban Dissident Sonia Garro in Prison?
Garro is a member of the controversial Damas de Blanco, a group of women advocating for the release of political prisoners in Cuba.
Watch Mediastan – a WikiLeaks Road Movie
Mediastan is being released on October 11, 2013 to challenge the UK opening of The Fifth Estate, a multi-million dollar Hollywood film about WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange, produced by Dreamworks in collaboration with Disney. UK audiences will be able to watch Mediastan online for free during The Fifth Estate’s opening weekend here. Globally,...
