Stories about Law from April, 2015
Authorities Said a Protester Assaulted Hong Kong Police. Witness Video Showed Otherwise
The couple went out of their way to help 17-year-old Ho Pak-Hei, who was acquitted. Ordinary heroes like them are stepping up with proof that pro-democracy protesters were falsely accused.
Peru Struggles to Navigate the Needs of Intelligence Collection and Privacy Rights
The political storm caused by revelations about the country's chief intelligence agency has subsided, but the debate about security and privacy is still booming and banging.
Southeast Asian Activists Unite in ‘People’s Walk’ Ahead of Regional Leaders’ Summit
More than 1,000 activists and leaders from various civil society organizations across Southeast Asia declared their position on human rights and growing economic inequality.
Understanding Copyright in the Arab World
Arab countries should not extend the length of their copyright term without thinking of the consequences that this will have on the ability of society to access knowledge and culture.
Guyana's Health Minister Assails Women's Activist, Says He Would ‘Slap Her Ass’
The Minister of Health's tirade against a women's rights activist raises questions about gender equality, human rights and the political status quo in Guyana.
Ecuadorian Woman Fights for Right to Save Sister-in-Law with Organ Transplant
Daniela Peralta fights an Ecuadorian law that prevents her from donating organ tissue to save her sister-in-law, who is suffering from kidney failure.
Egypt Sentences Former President Morsi to 20 Years in Prison for “Intimidation and Violence” towards Protestors
Egypt sentenced its first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in prison today, found “guilty of intimidation and violence” towards protestors in 2012.
Singaporean Teenager Arrested for Making Videos Deemed ‘Offensive’
"Apart from the problems of using handcuffs on minors, is this really a proportional response to a YouTube video?"
Vietnamese Netizens Are Getting Bolder Online, Despite Tough Laws
"Thanks to social media it has become possible and even trendsetting to publicly question the Communist Party’s legitimacy."
Protecting Personal Data in Argentina Is a Work in Progress
In an article for online magazine Digital Rights: Latin America & The Caribbean, No.21, Argentinean lawyer Valeria Milanés explains that even though the United States is a world leader in data processing, it does not have legislation for the protection of personal data. The US is also considered to have “an inadequate level of protection...
Lesbian Fleeing Persecution in Cameroon Finally Receives Asylum in Spain
Although Spain is one of the world's more tolerant countries in regards to LGBT rights, its governmental institutions are not as inclined to granting asylum.
Malaysian Cartoonist Vows to Continue Fighting Government Abuses Despite Sedition Charges
"I will not keep quiet. How can I be neutral, even my pen has a stand!"
Tanzania's Cyber Crime Bill Gives More Power to Police, Less to People
Leading opponents of the legislation from civil society say they will take the government to court if the president signs the bill into law.
China Jails Prominent Journalist Gao Yu for Leaking ‘State Secrets’
She was sentenced to seven years in prison. Observers believe the "state secrets" refer to a Chinese Communist Party directive that lists "seven speak-nots" for university professors, including press freedom.
Japan's ‘Vagina Artist’ Denies Obscenity Charges
Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, nicknamed "The Vagina Artist" by the Western media, says there's nothing obscene about artwork based on her genitalia.
New Internet Rules in China Target Usernames, Avatars as Subversive Tools
More than 67,000 user accounts have been deleted due to a new rule that prohibits screen names and profile pictures that threaten national security, destroy ethnic unity, or defame others.
A Filipina Woman Shares How She Ended Up on Indonesia's Death Row for Drug Trafficking
"We believe that Mary Jane was a victim of large drug syndicates who take advantage of the unawareness, vulnerability and desperation of our people."
What Is Really Wrong With Policing in Maldives?
Blogger Kureege Fuluheh is a Maldivian ex-police officer, who writes about issues in policing and the police service in Maldives. The blogger analyses how the Maldives Police Service (MPS) is perceived by people over the last seven years and discusses what is the way forward: Worrying is police’ behaviour towards members...
China Finally Releases Five Detained Feminist Activists
But they are not free yet. The five will be under police surveillance for a year.
Google Denies Russian Media Claims on Data Localization Move
Google representatives have denied Russian media reports that Google was bowing to Russia's demands and moving to store Russian users' data on servers inside the country, calling them "inaccurate."
Egypt's Nationality Laws Are Sexist: Men Can Pass on Nationality to Their Wives, While Women Can't
While Egyptian men could pass on their nationality to their wives, Egyptian women don't have the same right. One Twitter user, Salma El-Daly, vows to fight this law.