Stories about Human Rights from April, 2013
Ethiopia Accused of Ethnic Cleansing Over Mass Amhara Evictions
The Amhara people of Ethiopia who originally came from their own region, Amhara region, but were settled in the adjacent region called Benishangul Gumuz are being evicted en masse from the place they been have dwelling for many years.
Argentine Pope: Bergoglio and the ‘Slum Priests’
In Argentina, former cardinal Bergoglio - now pope Francis- is remembered for his work at "villas miseria", slums located in big cities around the country.
Zambian Activist Arrested After Speaking Out for Gay Rights
Gay rights activist Paul Kasonkomona was arrested in Zambia after he appeared on live television arguing that the country, which criminalises homosexual acts, should respect same-sex relationships. His arrest came a week after four all-male couples attempted to get married in Zambia's capital city.
Turning Point for Sri Lanka's Muslims?
Sunanda Deshapriya at Groundviews opines that “the judicial case related to the violent attack on Muslim owned Fashion Bug head office and warehouse in Pepiliyana, 10 km away from Colombo,...
Djibouti: Arrests follow ‘Democratic’ Elections
Several opposition leaders were arrested in Djibouti after demonstrations which followed the February 22, 2013 general elections. The elections saw yet another victory for the party in power, the People's Rally for Progress. President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled since 1999, received 80% of votes cast, leading to allegations of fraud on a massive scale. Arrests were still continuing at the time of writing, April 2013.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Cuba Getaway Offends Diaspora Bloggers
You might not think that political bloggers would be particularly interested in the whereabouts of celebrities, but the minute Beyoncé and Jay-Z, touched down in Cuba, an anniversary getaway became the business of the Cuban diaspora in the United States.
Masked Protest Against Thai Royal Insult Law
Activists entered Thailand's National Book Fair wearing masks with the face of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, a magazine editor who was sentenced to ten years for publishing articles which were deemed to...
Chinese Lawyer Detained After Defending Falun Gong Member
The Chinese law community is up in arms after prominent human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was detained at Jinjiang court in eastern Jiangsu province after defending the case of a Falun Gong practitioner.
Russia's Regional NGOs “Audited” by Prosecutor
DemVybor activists in the regional city of Voronezh reported on the DemVybor blog [ru] that local NGOs are being audited by the city prosecutor's office. The four organizations being targeted are all...
Jamaica: Blog Action, Jamdown Style!
Jamaica's version of Blog Action Day (the topic is Jamaican police abuses and brutality) will take place on May 23, to coincide with the anniversary of the country's state of...
Judge Orders Arrest of Indecently Dressed Women in Zambia
A female high court judge in Zambia has directed police to start arresting indecently dressed women. The order is allegedly an attempt to curb the problem, but some Zambians have accused the judge of indirectly blaming women for their own assaults.
Campaign Tackles Migrant Worker Exploitation in Lebanon
Seven NGOs in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs have recently launched the “Fi Chi Ghalat” (Something is Wrong) campaign, denouncing Lebanon's controversial Kafala (sponsorship) System through which all ‘unskilled laborers’ (domestic workers) must have an in-country sponsor responsible for both her or his visa and legal status. That sponsor is usually their employer as well. The online campaign calls for a change of the Kafala system and guaranteeing those workers their rights.
Vietnamese Farmer Faces Murder Charges
The family of Vietnamese soldier-turned farmer Doan Van Vuon who is facing murder charges for defending his land against government eviction forces issued an online appeal: These were people who...
Voluntourism and Child Abuse in Cambodia
Miranda Kerr writes how some voluntourism efforts lead to more cases of child abuse in Cambodia: In ‘worst cases’ these children are ‘rented’ or even ‘bought’ from their families because...
First Saudi Human Rights Association for Abolishing Execution Launched
Following last month's court ruling to dissolve the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and to confiscate its (nonexistent) properties, a group of activists yesterday announced a new independent association called the Union for Human Rights. Among its stated goals, the association is seeking an end to deterrent executions, an issue rarely raised in the kingdom.
Cuban Blogger Denied US Visa
Cuban blogger, teacher and GV author Elaine Díaz Rodríguez was denied a visa to enter the US [pt] Wednesday, April 3, 2013, preventing her from participating in the International Congress of Latin-American...
Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Break Journalist Protest in Togo
On March 14, 2013, security forces violently broke up a sit-in by private sector journalists in Togo. The journalists were protesting the new dispositions of the Organic Law which mean business licences of the Togolese media can now be withdrawn without judicial proceedings. The protests against the law of the High Audiovisual and Communications Authority (HAAC) took place in Lomé, largest city and capital of Togo. Security forces used clubs, tear gas bombs and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrations resulting in several journalists being injured.
Girls Are Told Not to Leave Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz parliament might soon ban girls under 23 years of age from leaving the country without parental consent. The bill which is aimed at preventing female migrants from becoming 'sexual slaves' has come under fierce criticism from human rights groups and some internet users.
Anonymous Brazil Report on Controversial Preacher
Anonymous Brazil released a dossier [pt] about Marco Feliciano, recently elected as chairman of the Committee for Human Rights and Minorities in the Deputy Chamber amid the outrage of human...
