Stories about Law from July, 2017
31 July 2017
Crisis in Maldives Parliament: Rejection of the ‘No-Confidence Motion’ Sparks Lockdown
The country is tilting toward authoritarianism as growing accusations mount against President Yameen for silencing dissent and imprisoning political opponents including former President Nasheed, under allegedly made up charges.
29 July 2017
Brunei Government Employee Complaining About Halal Certification Charged with Sedition Over Facebook Post
"Anyways that guy that's being charged with speaking out against the govt is a reminder that we don't have freedom of speech," wrote a Twitter user.
The Rise and Fall of a ‘Patriotic Investment Charity’ in China
Despite the government crackdown, many Shanxinhui’s members insist that Shanxinhui is a legitimate patriotic business.
27 July 2017
Vietnamese Activist Trần Thị Nga Sentenced to 9 Years for ‘Propaganda’
The 40-year-old Trần Thị Nga, also known by her pen name “Thúy Nga,” is a prominent advocate for migrants and land rights.
26 July 2017
Menstrual Hygiene Products Are Not Luxury Goods: Indian Rural Women Speak Out
Are menstrual hygiene products luxury goods? Women in India are voicing their doubts.
25 July 2017
This Jamaican Scientist's Marijuana-Based Anti-Cancer Drug Has Been Approved by the FDA
Should Dr. Lowe try to launch the drug himself if he can raise the funding? And what of the Jamaican government's role in taking the lead regarding ganja?
24 July 2017
Jamaica's First Woman Prime Minister Retires Amidst Praise, Criticism — and a Contentious Battle to Succeed Her
"Portia Simpson came to representational politics at the parliamentary level in 1976 when political tribalism and its ugly pickney, political violence, were on the upswing."
22 July 2017
Arrest Over a Facebook Rant Brings Trinidad & Tobago's Cybercrime Legislation Into Sharp Focus
"Overbroad content offences are always illegitimate, but are particularly dangerous online, where many people are still in the process of discovering their voice."
21 July 2017
Russia's Parliament Went on a Censorship Binge Today
The Kremlin is cracking down on online anonymity. Again.
20 July 2017
Netizen Report: Authorities in China and Indonesia Threaten Whatsapp, Telegram Over Political Content
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
19 July 2017
Is the Legalisation of Marijuana in Trinidad & Tobago an ‘Idea Whose Time Has Come'?
"The only ones benefiting from keeping marijuana illegal are the drug gangs and they will be forced out of business by legitimate dealers..."
Poles Rally to Defend the Independent Judiciary From Ruling Party's Reforms
"Warsaw rally for #democracy and #ruleoflaw in #Poland continues... Candles symbolise hope for freedom and a better future."
17 July 2017
The Venezuelan People's Vote of Rebellion
"Wherever we may be, Venezuelans just want to vote. Even when we have to organize the elections ourselves. To vote and vote, even if the government denies us the right."
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds of Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
7 July 2017
In Effort to Stop Anti-Korean Hate Speech, Osaka Mayor Wants to Loosen Internet Privacy Laws
For more than a decade, Osaka and other communities with large populations of ethnic Korean residents have struggled to deal with far-right organizations that target ethnic Koreans and other minorities.
Philippine Senator Moves to Criminalize ‘Fake News’ — Could This Lead to Censorship?
"How does one distinguish between a false report based on an honest mistake and one maliciously spread through print, broadcasting and online?"
