Stories about Law from September, 2006
Bahamas: Crime and collapse
A gang-related murder leads Bahamian Adrian Gibson to wonder “How far are we now behind Jamaica and Trinidad?“
Belarus: News Roundup
TOL's Belarus Blog writes about the new arrests of the opposition activists and about the “extreme and absolutely unacceptable” conditions, in which, according to the Belarusian government, Belarusian students live in the United States. Also, there's a translation of a Russian-language post about the regime's ominous reaction to an innocent...
India: Homosexuality and the Law
Homosexuality in India is illegal because of a law that is largely part of a British legacy. Vikram Seth, a prominent author has written an open letter to the Government on the issue, and this has found consent with quite a few other prominent people. Amardeep Singh on the law,...
Fiji: Safe for Tourists?
South Pacific Travel blogger David Stanely, a frequent traveler to Fiji discusses a Australian government travel advisory on Fiji and concludes that the actual situation on the ground is not as bad as the site makes it appear.
East Timor: Rock Fights
Diligence in East Timor has updates from the capital city Dili, where international police have figured out a strategy to deal with gang fights, usually involving small rocks and stones as the weapon of choice. “I believe the foreign police have adopted a slightly different strategy now. Rather than hoe...
Malaysia: Suggestions for the new IGP
Popular Malaysian blogger Jeff Ooi and podcaster Oon Yeoh have some suggestion for the newly appointed inspector general of Malaysian police in their latest podcast. The new chief is taking over at a time when the rising crime rate and police heavy-handedness has all Malaysians worried.
Indonesia: Policewoman Chang
Indonesia Matters introduces Yolla Bernanda. Yolla, whose chinese name is Chang Mei Xiang, is probably the first ethnic Chinese policewoman in Indonesia.
Singapore: Illegal Workers
Moe Moe encounters illegal workers being chased by police in a busy Singapore street and remembers her own experience as a illegal worker in another country “When you work illegally, you are always kind of scared. I mean, you can't trust your colleagues, you are afraid you will be found...
China: Government's video-censorship foiled
When a young teacher is found dead outside her apartment building in Ruian, the police report concludes suicide, but her family and students suspect a cover-up. Over a thousand people take to the streets in protest, and are met with police violence. Protestors film the clashes on their cellphones, and...
China: “strike-hard” policy
On September 11, The China Youth Daily published a breaking story about 4 students being tortured by police for 100 days because of suspected minor crime. Ai chung gives more examples of the effect of “strike-hard” policy in criminal case and urges the government to give it up(zh).
Barbados: Crime and boys
Titlayo is more dismayed than usual at the news of the shooting of two young men in Barbados.
Nepal: Police Brutality
Democracy for Nepal on the right to peaceful protest and police brutality. “Is this what a grateful nation does to that community? The April Revolution might not have earned the Madhesis total equality yet, but it sure earned them the right to peacefully protest.”
Malaysia: Double Standards
Nik Nazmi in Malaysia applauds his prime minister for urging to the United States that the two Malaysian detainees in Guantanamo Bay get a fair open trial. But the blogger also questions whether Malaysia would apply the same standards to its own detainees held under the ISA (Internal Security Act).
China: Video save taskforce needed
When tens of thousands of Ruian, Zhejiang citizens came out to protest the official conclusion of an investigation into the death of high school teacher Dai Haijing, it didn't take long for the news—despite being banned from mainstream media—to flash through Chinese blogs and BBS’. When short videos were taken...
Moldova: Language and Life
Peter Myers of Adventures in Moldova writes about Moldovans’ tardiness, shares his new understanding of Moldova's language politics, and posts a letter by a Moldovan teenager, OIga: “It's hard, really and if somehow I will escape from here I will just come back to see my relatives and that’s all....
Bermuda: Safe against drugs?
An newspaper interview with an pseudonymous drug leader outlining the deficiencies of the authorities in charge of securing Bermuda's ports and borders leaves Sean disheartened: “What would be interesting would be for a spot test. Hire a consultant (secretively) to bring in contraband and see exactly how secure the airports...
Europe: Free Movement of Labor
Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar writes on the free movement of labor and the backlash against East European migrant workers in Western Europe.
Bangladesh: Police Brutality
Drishtipat discusses the difference between police brutality and the maintenance of law and order, reflecting on some recent events. “The daily newspapers of today are flooded with news of how the police force had been abusive to the people attempting to siege the EC Secretariat”
The “Morning After Pill” Debate
The Chilean Health Department has decided to give the morning-after pill, for free, to teens over 14 yeas old. This pill is popularly known in Chile as the “day after pill” (“el día después”). The pill will be given in a confidential way and without consent of the parents. The...
Malaysia: Welcoming the New IGP
Malaysian politician and blogger Lim Kit Siang congratulates the new Inspector General of Police and wonders if the new appointment would improve the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. “But the question uppermost for Malaysians is whether Musa’s promotion would make any difference in the law-and-order situation in...
Colombia: Creative Commons Launch
Alvaro Ramirez calls the Colombian launch of Creative Commons “a complete success” (ES). Colombian project lead, Carolina Botero, is asking readers to help translate and subtitle (ES) the presentation of Lawrence Lessig at the launch.
