· March, 2013

Stories about Human Rights from March, 2013

Philippines: Forced to Leave School Due to Unpaid Fees, Student Commits Suicide

  18 March 2013

A 16-year old college freshman in the University of the Philippines Manila committed suicide after she was forced by the school administration to stop attending her classes because of unpaid tuition. Grief and sympathy poured all over social networking sites over her untimely passing. Many also expressed outrage over the highly commercialized system of education in the country

Indonesian ISPs Accused of Illegal Surveillance

  18 March 2013

The Indonesian government is investigating allegations that the country's major internet service providers – Telkom, Biznet, and Matrixnet Global – are conducting an illegal surveillance of internet users through the use of a spying software. The companies have denied the charge but if found guilty, they can face a 15-year...

Parveen Rehman Killed, Pakistan's Largest Slum Loses its Guardian Angel

  16 March 2013

Parveen Rehman, a leading social worker in Pakistan was shot dead close to the country's largest slum Orangi, in Karachi were she had worked tirelessly for three decades. A trained architect, Parveen documented land in the ever-growing city to protect it from Karachi's notorious land mafia, who she had been receiving death threats from for years.

Guyana, Cuba: Habemus Papam, But “Who Is He”?

  14 March 2013

It's been a full day since the white smoke billowing above the Sistine Chapel signalled the news that Catholics the world over were waiting for: Habemus Papam. As it turned out, the Conclave of Cardinals elected the first Latin American and the first ever Jesuit pope...but, as one blogger asked, "Who is he"?

Allegations Tie Pope Francis to Argentina's ‘Dirty War’ Past

  14 March 2013

Was Jorge Bergoglio -now Pope Francis- involved in Argentina's deadly military dictatorship? Many around the world are asking this question as netizens continue to share information on Bergoglio alleged role in the country's 'Dirty War'. Others have pointed out that Bergoglio has repeatedly denied these accusations, and some have come to his defense.

Grievance of a Young Indignant Santomean

  13 March 2013

Danilo Salvaterra published [pt] a video on Facebook that shows a young boy from São Tomé and Príncipe complaining about the general lack of basic infrastructures not only in Diogo Vaz (where the teenager lives and the video was recorded), but also in the rest of the country. He mentions...

World Day Against Cyber Censorship

March 12 is World Day Against Cyber Censorship. Reporters Without Borders and other advocates for Internet rights are calling on activists, movements and organizations around the world to participate by reminding their constituents of the importance of protecting free expression online.

Indian Censor Board Restricts Papilio Buddha, A Gandhi Critic Movie

  12 March 2013

Papilio Buddha, a Malaylam language feature film, had initially been banned by the Indian censor board for defaming the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi until it got cleared for screening with the “adult” certification. Netizens question the decision of the censor board and the underlying reason.

TV Journalist Attacked In Maldives

  12 March 2013

Ibrahim ‘Aswad’ Waheed, Head of News of Raaje TV, an independent television channel, was attacked by unidentified persons recently in the Maldivian capital Male. Maldivian journalists joined in protests demanding press freedom and protection of journalists which can be seen in pictures at photo-blogger Bug's blog.

Ecuador: One Year Since the Detainment of ‘The 10 from Luluncoto’

  11 March 2013

It has been a year since "the 10 from Luluncoto" were detained, citizens accused of attempted terrorism. Various demonstrations have taken place outside the Inca women's prison, and they are awaiting the liberation of two of the detainees that have already spent a year in prison: Abigaíl Heras and Cristina Campaña.

The Right to be Forgotten: Spain and Google Before the European Court

  11 March 2013

On 26 February, Google and Spain appeared before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over the redaction of certain pages yielded in search results that contain the personal information of Spanish citizens. The ECJ, which will weigh the public's right to information against the right to be forgotten will issue its non-binding ruling on 25 June 2013.

Video: Greece Austerity Protests Teargassed

  11 March 2013

A reportedly peaceful attempt to revive the mass anti-austerity “indignant protests” of 2011 on the evening of March 10 in Syntagma square, Athens, was met with teargas and police brutality, as shown in this video of an arrest, uploaded by Eleftherotypia daily:

The State of Torture in the World in 2013

  10 March 2013

On January 23, 2013, an excerpt from the annual report of l'ACAT-France, A World of Torture 2013, makes a fresh assessment of the state of torture in the world [fr]: “A report called A World of Torture in 2013, assesses torture practices that continue to be alarming, from Pakistan to...

Taiwan Denies Entry to Anti-Nuke Visitor Ahead of Protest

  10 March 2013

A German man who marched in an anti-nuclear protest two years ago in Taiwan was detained at Taiwan's international airport and denied entry [zh] into the country on March 8, 2013, a day before protesters planned to hold a large-scale anti-nuclear demonstration there.