Stories about Human Rights from June, 2012
China: Late-Term Abortion Forced by Corrupt Officials
Images of a woman forced to undergo a late-term abortion in Ankang Shaanxi Province in China have been circulating widely in Chinese social media and micro-blogging platforms triggering furious reactions.
Cuba: Bloggers say there are more like “Antunez”
Diaspora bloggers still have their attention focused on Cuban dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez (Antunez), who was reportedly beaten and detained following his testimony at a United States Senate sub-committee hearing concerned with infringements on the human rights of Cuban citizens.
Bangladesh: Keep Border Open For Rohingya Refugees
After a recent sectarian violence between Rohingya and Rakhine in Western Myanmar, Bangladesh has restricted the influx of Rohingya refugees crossing borders. Bangladeshi netizens questions the decision of the government on humane grounds, though admitting as well that the country is incapable of hosting more refugees.
Guyana: Shared Humanity
“I do not believe that the response to human savagery and the solution to banditry should be vulgar violence and the public glorification of the defilement of a human being”: A powerful post by Imran Khan about humanity, society and intelligent thinking.
Bahrain: Plea to Police to Return MacBook Pro
On Twitter, Bahraini Mohammed Al Maskati, complains: “It's been 443 days since masked police confiscated my MacBook Pro, 2 Hardrives, 3 Blackberry phones, camera AND wifey’s Friend's collection.” Al Maskati was arrested last year after he was threatened with arrest on Twitter.
Cuba: Bloggers Rally Around Beaten Dissident
Bloggers from the Cuban diaspora are concerned about the reported beating and detainment of dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez, more popularly known as Antunez, after he testified via teleconference at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing about the human rights situation on the island.
Iran: Jailed lawyer plays with her son
In social networking websites Iranian users are sharing a video footage of jailed lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, when she tries to play with her 4 years old son through a cabin window in a prison visit. Mrs. Sotoudeh, a human rights activist in Iran, is sentenced to 11 years in prison...
Bahrain: Free Ebrahim Sharif
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif expresses his views on opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif, who is in jail. “I feel so powerless and so ashamed of what is happening here. Especially when to me, the solution is staring everyone in the face,” he writes.
Hong Kong, China: Condemning the Apparent Staged Suicide of Li Wangyang
Thousands of people in Hong Kong took to the street on June 10, to condemn the apparent staged suicide of political prisoner Li Wangyang, a martyr who lived his life for defending justice and truth.
Pakistan: The Kohistan Story Of Honor Killing of 5 Girls Gets Complicated
Omair Alavi provides the latest updates on the story of honor killing of 5 girls in Kohistan and questions the media's role in the whole debacle.
Egypt: Sexual Harassment as a Weapon Against Dissent?
June 8 was “Determination Friday” in Cairo, and people gathered at Tahrir Square in protest against verdicts from former president Mubarak trial. Fewer remained for the anti-sexual harassment protest starting at 6pm, a clear stand against increasing sexual harassment female protesters suffer. Rayna S. gathers reactions after the protest was attacked.
Myanmar: Who Started the Tension in Arakan State?
Writing for the New Mandala, Sai Latt analyzes the situation in Arakan State in Myanmar where riots have spread in several villages. The author writes about the racist campaign against the Rohingya people.
Oman: Arrests of Rights Activists Continue
Human Rights activists in Oman are being targeted by authorities amid world silence. Omanis take to their keyboards the keep their struggle alive, writes Mona Kareem, who brings us the latest from Oman.
Poland: Obama's “Polish Death Camp” Gaffe Causes Controversy
In the last days of May, a storm of controversy struck the Polish public opinion when the US President Barack Obama used the expression "a Polish death camp" rather than stating clearly that what he meant was a Nazi Germany-operated death camp on the Polish territory. Anna Gotowska reports.
India: Netizens Respond To Anonymous India's Protests
On 9th of June, 2012 Anonymous India organized gatherings across several Indian cities inviting netizens to join in protest against Internet censorship. Despite low turnout they seem to be able to gear up some sort of publicity. Netizens approved the peaceful protests but questioned Anonymous India's strategy of hacking websites.
Saudi Arabia: Protests to Free Detainees Held Without Trial
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is believed to have thousands of detainees who were not allowed access to trials and many of them do not even know their charges. The families of detainees have been working the past months through social media to spread the word and have finally decided to take their cause to the street. Mona Kareem charts how one protest emerged on Twitter.
Egypt: Spies Ads Feed Distrust In SCAF
Egypt State television aired two advertisements warning Egyptians from foreigners and spies. Netizens react to the ads with ridicule, reasoning and concern.
Equatorial Guinea: Dictatorship Seeks Entry in Portuguese Language Community
In July 2012 the Maputo Summit will take place in which a decision will be taken on the possible entry of Equatorial Guinea into the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). On the one hand there are various initiatives which condemn Teodoro Obiang's 33 year regime, hostile to the orienting principles of the CPLP. However, there are also those who support the country's admission.
Gabon: Civil Society Leaders Arrested Prior to New York Forum Africa
News website Koaci.com [fr] reports that Marc Ona Essangui, of the civil society organisation ‘Ca suffit comme ça’ (Enough is enough) and other Gabonese activists were arrested this morning in the capital Libreville. They were planning to hold a ‘Forum of the indignants‘ [fr] to counter the New York Forum Africa,...
Zambia: Netizens Speak Out Against Police Brutality
Zambian netizens express their disbelief and anger online over the brutal manner in which Zambian police handled a peaceful demonstration in Lusaka by youths belonging to the opposition United Party for National Development.
Cuba: Economic Deja Vu?
A few Cuban bloggers have been voicing their economic concerns - and wondering whether the island's recent reforms, some of which include a more open approach to self-employment - could translate into political change as well.
