Stories about Human Rights from March, 2013
Philippines: Forced to Leave School Due to Unpaid Fees, Student Commits Suicide
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
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...
Revenge Attacks Target Bangladesh Hindus for Islamist Leader's Death Sentence
Bangladesh's Hindus have come under attack as Islamists, angry over the death sentence handed down to top Jamaat-e-Islami party leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi by a special war crimes tribunal, engage in a fiery rampage nationwide.
Parveen Rehman Killed, Pakistan's Largest Slum Loses its Guardian Angel
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”?
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
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.
Assault Against Immigrant Causes Outrage in Spanish Town
Moulaye Ndiaye, a street vendor from Senegal, was thrown from a bridge in Buñol, Valencia, Spain. There has been a large civilian mobilisation to condemn the attack and find the perpetrator.
Cigarette Vendor Sets Himself on Fire, Self-immolations Continue in Tunisia
Twenty-five months after fruit street vendor, Mohamed Bouaziz had set himself on fire, the phenomenon continues in Tunisia. Out of socioeconomic despair, Adel Khadri, a cigarette street vendor set himself alight on March 12 in the capital Tunis. He died today [March 13].
“Palestine in the Heart” of a Uruguayan Activist
Uruguayan activist and journalist María Landi shares her reports on Palestine in her blog Palestina en el corazón [es] (Palestine in the heart). Radio Mundo Real [es] recently interviewed Landi on...
Grievance of a Young Indignant Santomean
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...
Angry Mob Torches Christian Neighbourhood in Pakistan
Riled by blasphemy charges, a Muslim mob of 3,000, torched 100 houses in Joseph Colony, a largely Christian neighbourhood in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, on Saturday, March 9, 2013.
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
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.
Iran: Foreign VPNs Blocked
Several blogs and news sites reported that Iranian authorities have blocked many foreign-based virtual private networks, or VPNs, severely restricting access to many websites.
TV Journalist Attacked In Maldives
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...
Ecuador: One Year Since the Detainment of ‘The 10 from Luluncoto’
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
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
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...
FIFA Beware! Journalist Teams Up with Brazil's World Cup Victims
British journalist Andrew Jennings joined a group of Brazil's popular movements to discuss the country's preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
The State of Torture in the World in 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]:...
Taiwan Denies Entry to Anti-Nuke Visitor Ahead of Protest
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.
