Stories about Human Rights from October, 2007
Syria: Stop Internet Censorship!
Following a recent post on Global Voices Advocacy, Syrian bloggers are ready to discuss internet censorship in their country, including the arrests of several forum users and the censure of Blogspot.
Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S. Congress — Righting a Historical Wrong?
It's not often that Armenia makes international headlines across the globe, but when it does it's usually because of one issue that remains fiercely debated until this day — the massacre and deportation of as many as 1.5 million Armenians from Ottoman Turkey in 1915-17. 22 countries recognize the events...
The War in Abkhazia – ‘Cyxymu’ Remembers
Blogger cyxymu - whose Russian-language blog is devoted to the “memories of Sukhumi, the war and the pain” - spent the second half of September marking the 14th anniversary of the storm of the Abkhaz capital, which dealt a final defeat to the Georgian forces in their war with Abkhazia. Lyndon Allin translates from some of cyxymu's entries, and reviews and comments on the others.
Latvia: Protest Rallies
All About Latvia writes about the rallies taking place in Riga and about the imminent end of the current government: “Foreigners here observed that to make Latvians come out in such large numbers, you have to really piss them off. And people are pissed.”
Taiwan: 2007 Taiwan Pride Parade
On October 13th, the fifth Taiwan Pride Parade took place in the eastern district of Taipei. Close to fifteen thousand people joined in this activity. The theme this year is “Rainbow Power.” Participants are divided into seven groups, wearing and holding seven different colors to form a huge rainbow on...
Japan: Starving in the Land of Plenty
The recent story of a man starving to death as a result of not being able to receive welfare assistance, made famous thanks to his having documented his last days in a diary, sparked many Japanese bloggers to reflect on the broader implications of their country's welfare policy. Read some of their thoughts on the issue in today's post.
Russia: Bukovski
Robert Amsterdam writes about Vladimir Bukovski's return to Russia.
Ukraine: Tragedy in Dnipropetrovsk
On Oct. 13, a gas explosion destroyed much of a 10-story apartment building in Dnipropetrovsk, killing at least 23 people (including seven children). LJ user didaio (Denis Davydov) has been at the site of the tragedy, blogging about it ever since it occurred.
Lebanon: Amnesty on Palestinian rights
“Amnesty International has published a damming report on the rights of Palestinian refugees (or lack of) in Lebanon,” writes Sursock, who posted parts of the report.
Tunisia: Blogger's books confiscated at customs
When Tunisian blogger Zizou from Djerba returned home to Tunis from Cairo last week, he received more than the welcome he bargained for.
Poland: Katyn
Kinuk writes that Katyń, a new film by Andrzej Wajda, wasn't as good as the famous director's other work: “Towards the end of the film, we see the efficient (if one can call mass murder efficient) and organised methods by which these 20,000 officers were killed. Over and over, men...
Serbia: Antifa vs Neo-Nazi in Novi Sad
Belgrade 2.0 has been covering the Oct. 7 “neonazi, clerofascist rally” and the “citizens counter-rally” in Novi Sad: preparations; a report and two videos; and a guest-blogger's report. Also, another report from Pustolovina: adventure in Serbian.
Ukraine: UPA's 65th Anniversary
Ukrainiana posts a comprehensive entry on the history and the 65th anniversary of “Ukraine’s underrecognized Insurgent Army” (UPA): “Attempts at re-educating and reconciling elderly people contrary to their beliefs should be abandoned. But revisiting Ukrainian history and recognizing, for future generations, the people and events misrepresented in Soviet textbooks makes...
Cuba: Press Freedom Index Ranking
Referring to the Reporters Without Borders annual index rating of the level of press freedom around the world, Uncommon Sense says: “Cuba's specific rating almost is irrelevant. What counts is the company it keeps at the bottom of RSF's rankings each year.”
Former Soviet Union: Pyotr Grigorenko's Centenary
Window on Eurasia writes about the “neglected centenary” of General Pyotr Grigorenko: “People like the late general are a rarity. Anyone who met him – and I was fortunate enough to do so – counts himself privileged. But even more, all those living in the post-Soviet states now are his...
Bulgaria: More on “Abandoned Children”
Warehouses of Neglect writes on the fate of Bulgaria's “abandoned children” – here and here.
Ukraine: Is Victimhood Profitable?
MoldovAnn takes a critical look at programs for “the so-called ‘children of Chornobyl'” and other Chernobyl-related aid efforts: “I do believe aid organizations want to help people have better lives. But when I hear them talking about ‘we’re going to support this community because it’s not too far from Kyiv...
Ukraine: Charitable Tennis Tournament
Scenes From the Sidewalk posts info on how to register for the charitable tennis tournament to be held in Kyiv Oct. 27-28.
Ukraine: Leninesque Bandera Monument
Foreign Notes reports: “Last weekend a statue of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera was unveiled in Lviv. Rather embarrassingly, some observers say the statue resembles those of Lenin, erected in many Ukrainian cities in the latter half of the last century.”
Russia: Racism
MoscowThroughBrownEyes writes about the`a “fear of a black Russia.”
Iran:Mehrnoush Solouki in trouble
According [Fr]to freeSolouki, French-Iranian film director,Mehrnoush Solouki, is accused of making propaganda against Iranian government.Solouki came to Iran after receiving permission to make a documentary.She was arrested without being accused of any wrongdoing.