Stories about Human Rights from March, 2010
Against Cyber-Censorship – Voices in Hindi
On the occasion of the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, netizens across the world are realizing that even in this age internet is not free from restrictions on freedom of expression. In this post, Hindi bloggers reflect on press freedom from different angles.
Nepal: Tibet Uprising Anniversary Exposes Growing Rift
Nepal's forceful approach towards the Tibet Uprising Anniversary on March 10 and public programs that are organized by Tibetan refugees in the country is attracting criticism from Tibetan & Nepali blogs.
Russia: Two Journalists Kidnapped in Caucasus
Israpil Shovhalov and Abdulla Duduev, two journalists of the “Dosh” online magazine were kidnapped on March 9, 2010 in the Republic of Ingushetia, one of the most unstable regions in Russia, Kavkazky Uzel reported [RUS].
Azerbaijan: “Ordinary people with extraordinary talent”
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines comments on today's appeal court ruling upholding the sentencing of video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli. Adopted as prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International, the blog posts two video tributes and says that both men are “ordinary people with extraordinary talent” and...
China: Do Chinese people live with dignity?
China’s top leader has made a historic statement regarding human rights and human dignity which has posed both doubts and meaningful questions. During this year's Spring Festival, China's Premier Wen Jiabao made the unusually phrased statement that his government vowed to "make Chinese people more dignified".
Chile: Mapuche Communities Affected by Earthquake
After the February 27 earthquake in Chile, the media and the government have faced strong criticism for their lack of coverage and support for the small Mapuche indigenous communities closest to the epicenter. Mapuche leaders have called out for international aid.
China: Left critique of liberal calls for hukou reform
On March 1, 13 major newspapers issued a joint call to the NPC & CPPCC to reform the hukou (household registration) system. The Chinese leftist, however, considered the real intention of the call is the privatization of rural farmland. More from The China Study Group.
Azerbaijan: Youth, human rights and the Blogosphere
HumanRightsUN posts a video of part of the presentation made by Ruslan Asadov, co-founder of the OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement [AZ/EN], at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy. One of the other co-founders of OL!, video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade, is currently in prison on what...
Cuba: Through the Looking Glass
Generation Y blogs about a form of TV reporting in Cuba “that emulates the saga of ‘Big Brother'”, saying: “Unfortunately for the crude producers of this kind of reality show, the technology in the hands of citizens has started to make the walls around our lives transparent as well.”
Sri Lanka: Missing In Action
Dr. P. Saravanamuttu at Groundviews remembers the recent disappearance of the Lanka E-News journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. He notes: “Ekneligoda’s disappearance is yet another statistic of shame in the long list of disappearances, abductions and extra-judicial killings that have targeted the media in particular over the last four years”.
Armenia: International Women's Day
Ianyan marks International Women's Day with an extended post reflecting on gender in Armenia and its Diaspora. The blogger examines several issues related to Armenian women including marriage, education, work, and sex.
Russia: Bloggers Outraged About Pedophile Case
The mild sentencing of a man who raped a little girl has caused an outcry among Russian bloggers and led to additional investigation of the judicial process.
Russia: Rally Demands Overhaul of Corrupt Police Force
Several hundred activists, at a rally in Moscow on March 6, demanded an overhaul of Russia's notoriously and increasingly corrupt police force, arguing that the reform of the service ordered by President Dmitry Medvedev in December and recent firings of senior police officials could not produce any serious effect.
Puerto Rico, Haiti: International Women's Day Dedicated to Haitian Women
This year, International Women's Day celebrates it 100th anniversary. In Puerto Rico, and in many countries in the region, the day will be dedicated to honor the resilience of Haitian women and the lives of three feminist Haitian activists who died during the January earthquake in Port-au-Prince.
First Cambodian Women Web Portal
Established in October 2007, the Women Web Portal is the first web portal in Khmer language in Cambodia that provides information about gender issues and women rights. GV author Sopheap Chak discusses the work and impact of this website
Uganda: Religious leader and activists petition parliament
Religious leaders and activists petition parliament in Uganda: “On Monday 01 March 2010 a delegation of activists AIDS service providers, Spiritual mentors and counsellors took centre stage in Kampala when they met the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka over the Anti-Homosexuality...
Malaysia: 3 women caned for having illicit sex
Three women were caned in Malaysia after a Shariah court found them guilty of having “sex out of wedlock.” They were the first Muslim women to be caned for committing Shariah violations. Bloggers react
Bulgaria: Protesting Against Seafront Construction in Varna
Ruslan Trad writes about Varna activists' fight against illegal construction on the seafront promenade - and against rampant corruption plaguing the country.
Trinidad & Tobago: Gender Policy
gspottt is keeping a close eye on the Gender Policy: “Our Government cannot shirk its responsibility to set clear domestic policy to address the concerns of the tens of thousands of GLBTI citizens of Trinidad & Tobago.”
Turkmenistan: Psychiatry Abuse for Political Motives
Annasoltan tells about the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes, which is getting less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.
Uzbekistan: Anti-AIDS activist sentenced
Nathan Hamm reports that Uzbekistan's anti-AIDS campaigner Maksim Popov was sentenced in to seven years in prison. The court found that a brochure he distributed is “incompatible with local traditions.”