Stories about Law from January, 2015
Grindr in the Kremlin: Gay and Online in Putin's Russia

Russia's "balanced" anti-homosexual legislation has turned the Internet from a safe haven into a battleground in Kremlin’s assault on the Russian LGBT community.
Trinidad & Tobago Journalist Marcia Henville's Murder Shocks the Nation
A popular journalist dies in a fire, but autopsy results confirm that she was murdered. Netizens want justice in what many assume to be a domestic violence case.
A Website Fine Rekindles a Controversy About the Use of Personal Data in Perú
A Peruvian website that publishes open data was closed down after being fined, rekindling a debate about the use of personal data in the country.
Hong Kongers Should Have the Right To Be Forgotten, Says HK Privacy Commissioner

Commissioner Chiang argues that concerns about the policy infringing on freedom of expression are "overblown".
Caribbean Perspectives on the Charlie Hebdo Free Speech vs. Intolerance Debate
Two Caribbean bloggers discuss religious fundamentalism in the context of the Charlie Hebdo attack and wonder if the tragedy can be used as an opportunity to change the idealogical narrative.
Hong Kong Police Make Appointments With Occupy Central Activists For Their Arrests
Netizens are not sure what to make of Hong Kong police officers calling Occupy Central Movement protesters - ostensibly as a courtesy - to inform them of their pending arrests.
Civil Liberties vs. Terrorism: What Are We Willing to Give Up?

European Union Interior Ministers are considering measures to combat terrorism in the region, which many have branded as draconian.
Sketch Comic Faces Accusations of ‘Glorifying’ Terrorism in Spain

The day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo in France, a Spanish judge summoned satirist Facu Díaz for questioning about a satirical sketch broadcast on his online TV show.
Intel Shuts Down Its Russian-Language Developer Forums

Intel's decision could create an important precedent, showing how easily new RuNet regulations spill into seemingly innocuous blogging activities.
Should Prisoners Enjoy Full Labor Rights?

Prison inmates in Argentina now have full protection under the country's labor laws. Laura Schneider tries to wrap her head around the issue.
Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Flogged for His Liberal Ideas
Saudi liberal blogger Raif Badawi was publicly flogged today in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of founding an online forum for public debate and for "insulting Islam."
British Islamist Anjem Choudary Doesn't Represent All Muslims (Someone Tell USA Today)

The idea of Choudary speaking for all Muslims is laughable, writes Jillian York.
Australian Police Arrest Activist Wearing ‘I'm With Stupid’ T-Shirt
On the same day as the Charlie Hebdo tragedy in Paris, Queensland police arrest an activist at a political event who was wearing an 'I'm with stupid' T-shirt.
What Drives Blasphemy Charges in the Middle East? (It's Not Just Religion)

Sentenced to death for his online writing, Mauritanian blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed is yet another victim of a repressive government using “apostasy” pretexts to crack down political speech.
Meet Russia's 369 Kremlin-Registered Bloggers

What are the websites that populate Russia’s blogger registry, which is supposedly the Kremlin’s handpicked collection of the nation’s most read web pages?
Şanar Yurdatapan's Museum of Crimes of Thought Takes Aim at Growing Oppression in Turkey
Sanar Yurdatapan, renowned Turkish composer, song-writer and activist talks about his Museum of Thought Crimes online initiative, which aims to document violations committed by government against pro-democracy forces in Turkey.
Alexey Navalny's ‘Risk-Free’ Rebellion

Lawyer Murad Musaev claims Navalny’s portrayal of his house arrest is “based more on emotions than legal norms."
A Death Sentence for Trafficking 15 Grams of Heroin? Singapore Groups Say No More.
Groups say the death penalty isn't an effective deterrent, pointing out how capital punishment makes even small offenses a matter of life and death, motivating criminals to be more violent.
Video Captures Trinidad & Tobago Police Officer Slapping Man in Wheelchair
"I don't know what law this man broke to earn him harsh treatment and hard slaps to his face but this is sad. He doesn't have a weapon, no drugs..."
Corruption, Climate Change and Chik-V Stole Headlines in the Caribbean in 2014
A mass outbreak of the Chikungunya virus and an environmental activist's hunger strike along with several good news stories were the talk of the Caribbean's blogosphere in 2014.
Activists Persecuted for Opposing Land-Grab-Driven Slavery in Mauritania
Dah Abeid and a few other human activists were arrested by the police in November and are now awaiting their trials.