· February, 2009

Stories about Human Rights from February, 2009

Cuba, U.S.A.: True Colours

  11 February 2009

Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense thinks that the powers that be in Cuba have shown their true colours this week by rejecting international calls for the release of political prisoners.

Japan: Threats to freedom of speech and freedom to protest

  11 February 2009

On the 16th of January a group of protesters gathered outside Shinjuku station (one of the most crowded stations in Tokyo) to denounce Prime Minister Aso and his cabinet. The protesters were questioned by police and the protest eventually stopped, with all events caught on camera. Bloggers discuss implications for freedom of speech.

Egypt: More activists and bloggers arrested

  10 February 2009

Two more Egyptian bloggers and activists have been detained by authorities, sparking calls and campaigns by bloggers and human rights activists for their release, in the latest series of arrests targeting online activists. Lasto Adri reports from Cairo.

Uganda: Behind The Mirror

  10 February 2009

Sokari writes about the documentary Behind the Mirror, which investigates and advocates for responses to the many challenges faced by the LGBTI community in Uganda.

Cuba: Human Rights

  10 February 2009

Diaspora blogger Child of the Revolution calls “shameless” the Cuban justice minister's suggestion that all is well when it comes to human rights, while Uncommon Sense links to the trailer of a new documentary about Cuban political prisoner Oscar Biscet.

Armenia-Azerbaijan: LGBT roundup

  10 February 2009

With the traditional media in the South Caucasus rarely reporting on sexual or religious minority rights maturely, blogs have stepped in to fill the gap and Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to post LGBT news from the region. Following recent homophobic remarks from local politicians and civil society activists as well as in articles in the local press, the blog says there is actually some good news for a change.

Egypt: Philip Rizk ‘Kidnapped

  10 February 2009

From Egypt, blogger Sarah Carr narrates the events of the To Gaza campaign march and the events leading to the disappearance of journalist/masters student/filmmaker/blogger Philip Rizk, who was grabbed by State Security and taken to an undisclosed location.

Russia, EU: Barroso's Criticism of Russia

  7 February 2009

George Iulian Jiglau writes this about Jose Manuel Barroso's criticism of Russia's human right record at Th!nk About It: “Do you risk the energetic safety of several EU member states for the sake of presenting yourself as the defender of human rights? Shouldn’t this kind of ‘concerns’ be left in...

Cambodia: Report accuses elite of theft

  7 February 2009

Global Witness, a non-governmental organization based in London released a report which warns that Cambodia risks descending into a kleptocracy, alleging that large sums of monies paid to the government are benefiting the ruling elite instead of the people of Cambodia

Russia: EU and Human Rights

  7 February 2009

Following “a notable exchange between PM Vladimir Putin and EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso,” Robert Amsterdam writes: “In my opinion, it was about time that Europe woke up to the fact that it is not OK, it is not normal for the leadership of any country to say nothing...

Russia: Unemployment and Law Enforcement

  7 February 2009

RFE/RL's The Power Vertical writes: “Some 5.8 million Russians are currently out of work. By the end of this year, that figure is expected to rise as high as 7 million. One area that will not be hit by job losses, however, is law enforcement.”