Stories about Law from March, 2021
The Gambia’s missed opportunity for digital rights reform
Gambians held high hopes for digital rights reforms under President Adama Barrow. But the draft constitution fell short on its promise to adequately protect digital rights.
Post-Magufuli, will Tanzania review its repressive online content regulations?
Tanzania's content regulations are often used to undermine and clamp down on digital rights and freedom of expression. With a newly sworn-in president, will the government review these repressive laws?
In Kenya, abortion focus obscures legislation towards safe reproductive healthcare services
Tagged “the abortion bill” by its opponents, the Reproductive Healthcare bill of 2019 is, in fact, a comprehensive document that only mentions termination of pregnancy in five articles.
How Hong Kong lost its academic freedom in 2020
Since the enactment of the national security law, professors have had contracts terminated, student protests were repressed, and a new curriculum will be implemented in all schools starting September 2021.
Pakistan bans TikTok for the second time
TikTok was blocked in Pakistan for 10 days in October 2020. Access was restored after the app's parent company ByteDance assured authorities it would bolster moderation.
Angola's new penal code, which decriminalizes homosexual relationships, comes into force
The new legislation was approved in 2019, but only ratified in December 2020. It replaces the old penal code of 1886 of the Portuguese colonial administration.
Malaysia’s ‘fake news’ ordinance takes effect amid continuing concern over the COVID-19 state of emergency
"This ordinance strengthens the perception that the state of emergency we are currently in is a smokescreen to curb any form of criticism towards the government of the day."
Sierra Leone’s new cybercrime bill could turn a phone into a crime scene
Sierra Leone’s cybercrime bill could turn a citizen’s smartphone into a crime scene at a moment’s notice.
Protests erupt in Bangladesh after writer arrested under the Digital Security Act dies in prison
Ahmed was arrested after he criticized the government's pandemic response on social media. He was charged with "tarnishing the image of the nation" and "creating hostility" -- all offenses under the DSA.
In Tajikistan, online critics land behind bars as alleged ‘extremists’
In Tajikistan, several outspoken bloggers and activists have been sent behind bars and online freedom of expression is seriously curtailed.
How India's new internet regulations will change social media, online news and video streaming
If failing to comply, social media platforms could lose intermediary immunity, which means they could be prosecuted for content posted by its users.
Sri Lanka reverses decision to bury COVID-19 victims on remote island after protests
Iranaithivu islanders objected to the Sri Lankan government’s decision to allow the burial of COVID-19 victims, following the reversal of a ban on cremations that affected Muslim and Christian communities
‘This goes way beyond brutality': Myanmar coup and the military's violent suppression of democracy
Myanmar protesters are being killed for resisting the military government. As violence continues to worsen, many are appealing for urgent UN intervention.
WATCH: Will Argentina's ‘green tide’ on abortion rights spread throughout Latin America?
Missed the livestream of the Global Voices Insights Spanish-language webinar on abortion rights in Latin America? Here's a replay.
Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor throttles Twitter loading speeds
Twitter has a small audience in Russia, but more popular platforms such as Facebook and YouTube could also see slower loading speeds if they fail to address state takedown requests.
Online rape threats connect Lebanese activist to ‘thousands of other women’ facing abuse
Maya El-Ammar: "Thanks to our experiences with gender-based violence in the offline world, we have rationalized the reality that our virtual world would naturally mirror our off-screen existence."
Called a prostitute by the prime minister, a Slovenian journalist tells her story
"The space for civil society and media in Slovenia has been in decline since Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government came into power in March 2020."
On International Women's Day, Trinidad & Tobago citizens #ChooseToChallenge gender-based violence
In the wake of two recent high-profile murders, Trinbagonians advocated for tangible steps to be taken to protect women.
Cambodia’s internet gateway could intensify surveillance and censorship
"Government surveillance cultivates an environment of fear, creating incentives for self-censorship and directly undermining the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to undertake their work."
Iran's oppression of its Christians tears daughter from convert parents
The court ruling denying Sam Khosravi and his wife custody of their adopted daughter after converting to Christianity is one way the state's utilizes the judiciary to clampdown on minorities.
Press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir: An interview with journalist Anuradha Bhasin
VideoVolunteers community correspondent Basharat Amin interviews Anuradha Bhasin, executive editor of the Daily Kashmir Times newspaper, to understand the present situation of freedom of the press in Jammu and Kashmir.
