Stories about Human Rights from May, 2010
Technology for Transparency Review, Part VI
This post concludes the first phase of our research into the role of technology in the transparency and accountability movement by offering conclusions and recommendations related to projects of crime mapping, extractive industry transparency, local government, private sector transparency, and advocacy.
Cuba: Monitoring Arrests
Ever since the February, 2010 death of Orlando Zapato Tamayo, the first Cuban hunger striker to perish in 40 years, the situation in the island appears to have become even more tense.
Pakistan: Banning Social Media Sites
“It is unfortunate that the government is taking staunch steps in banning social media websites across Pakistan in response to a campaign,” comments Sana Saleem Malik at Mystified justice.
Bermuda: More on the Media Bill
Wishful Thinking says “it's really hit the fan over this Media Council Bill”, while Politics.bm adds: “So, the PLP during the election were against locking up violent criminals but are...
Bulgaria: Update on Arevik Shmavonyan's Case
Maya's Corner posts a detailed update on the case of Arevik Shmavonyan, a pregnant Armenian citizen who is still being kept at the Special Centre for Temporary Accommodation of Foreigners...
Pakistan: Facebook Ban And Productivity
“Watch out India, Pakistani productivity is about to spike!” – comments one reader at Sepia Mutiny's post on the ban of Facebook in Pakistan.
Nigeria: A debate on pedophilia, Sharia law, and the ‘two’ Nigerias
The headline is tabloid-esque: "Nigerian senator marries 13-year-old girl". It refers to 49-year-old Ahmad Sani Yerima, whose marriage a few weeks ago has drawn criticism from around the country, playing into the divide between the Muslim north and Christian south of Nigeria.
Malawi: The world reacts after sentencing of gay couple
A day after the world marked International Day against Homophobia, a court in Malawi sentenced Malawi gay couple to jail for fourteen years.
Taiwan: In memory of Chao-Jung Hsu, a Taiwanese WWII veteran
As part of an impassioned campaign to create a memorial park for Taiwanese WWII veterans, Chao-Jung Hsu's set himself on fire and died exactly two years ago.
Ukraine: The Plight of the Crimean Tatars
Paul Goble of Window on Eurasia writes about the 66th anniversary of the deportations of the Crimean Tatars and the current plight of those who have returned to their homeland...
Russia: “Is Khodorkovsky a Dissident?”
Vadim Nikitin shares his thoughts on whether Mikhail Khodorkovsky can be considered a dissident.
MENA: International Day Against Homophobia Celebrated
May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is still a region for concern according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA), as homosexual acts are still legally punishable in all MENA countries with the exception of Israel. Despite this, there are associations in the region which openly and passionately celebrated IDAHO; Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the major events in the region.
Facebook Is Blocked in Pakistan As It Indulges In A Controversial Campaign
After the outcry surrounding the Draw Mohammed Day Facebook page, which is campaigning for the creation of mass cartoon caricatures of Prophet Muhammed [PBUH] on the 20th of May, today the Lahore High Court ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block the entire Facebook.com domain in Pakistan till the 31st of May. Pakistani bloggers react.
Bahrain: Why was Al Jazeera's Office Shut Down?
Bahrain temporarily shut down the office of Al Jazeera Satellite Channel for "violating professional conventions." Bloggers and tweeps react to the development in this post - especially after rumours surfaced that the Qatari station's bureau was closed because of a report it aired on poverty in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera says it doesn't even operate an office in Bahrain so what exactly is going on?
Soviet History: “The False Charges of Treason Against the Crimean Tatars”
J. Otto Pohl writes about his new article (.pdf) – “The False Charges of Treason Against the Crimean Tatars” – which was published at the International Committee for Crimea website...
Russia: RT's Gay Pride Coverage
Julia Ioffe writes at True/Slant about RT's coverage of the upcoming gay pride parade in Moscow.
Belarus: State sanctioned homophobia
Andrei Khrapavitsky of Belarusan American Blog compares homophobia in Belarus with that in Lithuania after an LGBT-march was quashed in Minsk last weekend while being allowed in Vilnius.
Iran's Kurdish cities in strike in protest against executions
Life came to a standstill in several Kurdish cities in Iran as businesses and shops went on strike on Thursday,May 13th, to protest against the execution of four Kurdish prisoners. While mainstream media ignored the protest, citizen journalists recorded the rebellious act in photographs and video footage.
Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Issues
gspottt notes that “of the almost 100 candidates [in the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago general election]…the People’s Partnership candidate for St. Ann’s East…is the only one to date to make...
India: Opting Out Of Facebook
Indian diaspora blogger Selvakumar Ganesan, who blogs at The Scientific Indian, has completely and permanently deleted his data from Facebook. Learn how and why.
Iran: “Panahi, Iranian filmmaker started hunger strike”
Several bloggers such as Rahe Sabze Omid says [fa] that Iranian famous filmmaker, Jafar Panahi, started his hunger strike in prison in Tehran on Sunday.
