Stories about Human Rights from August, 2014
Advocates Petition UN for Action on Jailed Egyptian Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Media Legal Defence Initiative asked the UN to intervene immediately in the case of Abd El Fattah, who began a hunger strike this week.
Arrests Made in Man's Fatal Beating Have Not Renewed Faith in Jamaica's Police
The case has continued to fuel protests and discussions in Jamaica, which has a history of police brutality and other similar forms of violence.
Tens of Thousands of Pakistanis Breach Security Barrier Around Prime Minister's House Asking Him to Step Down
Popular cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Pakistani-Canadian Sufi scholar-turned-politician Tahirul Qadri allege that the May 2013 general election was rigged.
Bahamian Women Battling for Equal Rights
You would think that a nation which spent so much of the 20th century doggedly pursing equality would be united today over equal rights for women to pass on citizenship to their children and spouses. You would think that a constitutional provision to prevent discrimination against more than half the...
Moscow Shutters 4 McDonalds for Poor Sanitation, But You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Russia closed four McDonald's locations in Moscow for "sanitary violations" in what some say is another stage of the sanctions war. The RuNet exploded with disbelief—and photos of Russian bathrooms.
The Alexander Sodiqov I Know, by Global Voices Contributor Mahina Shodizoda
65 days after his arrest by Tajik authorities, charges against Alexander Sodiqov have yet to be cancelled. Mahina Shodizoda explains why her country needs more people like him, not fewer.
The Egyptian Government Asks the U.S. to “Show Restraint in Ferguson” and Twitter Users Respond With This Brilliant Hashtag
Through the sarcastic hash tag #EgyPoliceTipsToUS, Twitter users are advising US police on how to respond to protestors in Ferguson, Missouri.
SMS Death Threats Stoke Fears on Fate of Abducted Journalist in Maldives
The messages came just days before the unexplained disappearance of journalist and democracy advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla.
Lessons from Marcus Garvey, Jamaica's First National Hero
Marcus Garvey, who was born 127 years ago, was a fervent supporter of Pan-Africanism. On the anniversary of his birthday, two bloggers commemorated the leader.
Prominent Egyptian Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah Goes on Hunger Strike
Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah has entered an open-ended hunger strike until he is released from prison, his family said in a statement posted on Facebook today.
Freedom of Information and Data Protection Dealt A Blow in Mexico: IFAI Won't Challenge Telecom Law
Disappointment and frustration prevail as the IFAI's decision leaves Mexico's citizens defenseless against the country's crucial new telecom law.
Demanding Gender Equality in the Bahamas
Lynn Sweeting, blogging at Womanish Words, wants equality for women in the Bahamas and pens a poem in that regard.
Abuse of Syrian Child on Video Sparks Outcry and Arrests
“Beat his face and head,” says a voice off-camera. “No,” pleads the boy, a nine-year-old Syrian refugee. The video has sparked intense public debate about discrimination against Syrians in Lebanon.
Donetsk's Guerrilla Separatists Kidnap the Ukrainian Guerrilla Artist Who Dared to Mock Them
A Ukrainian guerrilla artist who has been stealthily putting up artworks mocking the separatists of the Donetsk People's Republic in the occupied city of Donetsk was captured by the rebels.
Journalist and Democracy Advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla Missing in the Maldives
The prolific social media user is vocal against hatred in the name of religion and has not been shy about criticizing the Maldives Islamist Adhaalath Party and other political parties.
Twitter Popularity Brings No Joy to Self-Dubbed “Shitty Slovyansk” Blogger
The information war and the real one have almost become synonymous for a Ukrainian Twitter blogger from Slovyansk, and he is sick of both.
Iran Vows to Block All “Unlicensed” Websites
On the day to recognize journalists, Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced that all news websites must henceforth obtain a state license -- or face automatic censorship.
Jamaica: #Ferguson & #Gaza
Jamaica-based blogger Annie Paul republishes a compilation of tweets that show the similarities between the standoff in #Gaza and in #Ferguson, where yet another unarmed black man was gunned down by the police. The response to the resulting protests by U.S. law enforcement has been so brutal that netizens are...
Defending Human Rights in Jamaica
When JFJ [Jamaicans For Justice] began, extra-judicial killings by police were commonplace. Yet, not a single police officer had ever – not in the entire history of Jamaica – been ever held accountable for one of these murders. It was a matter that desperately needed addressing. The death of Mario Deane...
The Day More Than 800 Egyptian Protesters Died: One Year on, Remembering the Horrific Raba'a Massacre
A year later a monument honouring police and military stands in the same place where hundreds of civilians were killed, says Photojournalist Mosaab ElShamy, who witnessed the massacre.
In the Fight Against Russia, Ukraine Flirts with Kremlinesque Internet Censorship
A new draft law in Ukraine could grant the government extensive powers to shut down media outlets and block websites in the name of national security.
