Stories about Law from October, 2011
Egypt: Revolution Call Renewed After Khaled Said Murder Trial Verdict
Two police officers have been sentenced to seven years in prison for the assault that led to the death of Khaled Said, the young man whose murder in Alexandria has fueled the Egyptian revolution. Netizens are angry at what they describe as a lenient sentence.
“Law Without Borders” Between Brazil, Angola and Portugal
Brazilian lawyer and researcher Vanessa Bueno, based in Portugal, launched the blog O Direito Sem Fronteiras (Law Without Borders) [pt] where she gives tips and writes reviews about legal issues, especially for migrants between Portugal, Brazil and Angola. She has also created a group on Facebook aiming to promote debate.
Ukraine: Turning into a European Pariah?
Jonathan Hibberd of Chicken in Kiev addresses how Ukrainian politicians are increasingly becoming a pariah in the European Union, following the verdict of opposition leader Yulia Timoshenko.
Sri Lanka: Hunger Strike Of Fishermen Families
National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) blog informs that members of nine Sri Lankan fishing families from Kalpity have started a hunger strike demanding release of their loved ones from Andaman Jail. These fishermen were captured more than 20 months ago by Indian Navy for alleged trespassing in Indian territories.
Sri Lanka: Incorporating an Entity
Lawyer and blogger Radhi De Silva describes the steps to incorporate a legal entity in Sri Lanka.
Myanmar: Local Politician Allows Opium Production
The Palaung Women’s Organization reports that an elected official in the Palaung region of Shan State North in Myanmar has allowed the cultivation of opium in the area which generated more social problems in the affected communities.
Croatia: Alcatraz of Yugoslavia
Bill Kralovec of Bill's Blog recounts the story of the Adriatic prison island of Goli otok – the Alcatraz of Yugoslavia – where Yugoslavia held its political prisoners during the reign of Tito.
Lithuania: Corruption within the Educational System
Alan Hendrixson of With a Grain of Druska discusses problems arising from corruption within Lithuanian education and health system.
Bhutan: Justifying Police Brutality
Sonam Ongmo writes about the police brutality against an innocent Bhutanese youth and the subsequent politics on this issue.
Chile: State Security Law, Violence Deterrent or Repression?
On October 18, Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter invoked the State Security Law to punish the persons responsible for the burning of a bus during the protests supporting the student movement. The country's citizens comment on this controversial measure.
Hungary: Live-Blogging Oct. 23 Opposition Protest in Budapest
The Contrarian Hungarian live-blogged Sunday's opposition rally in Budapest, which had been organized through Facebook (hu; en) and drew “many tens of thousands” of protesters.
Zambia: Presidential Immunity Must be Limited to the Term of Office
Gershom argues that presidential immunity in Zambia must be limited to the term of office: “With the revelations coming out regarding the conduct of Zambia’s immediate former president Rupiah Banda in his three short years in office, it is increasingly becoming necessary for people to demand that Mr Banda be...
Cuba: Recounting Repression
Pedazos de La Isla posts two accounts of Cuban dissidents being beaten and detained, allegedly “just for trying to travel within their own country” and “for demonstrating peacefully”.
Haiti: Enough of Occupation
The Haitian Blogger has had enough of the United Nations occupation of Haiti, saying: “All Haitian's [sic] will start respecting the U.S. and it's [sic] proxy the UN MINUSTAH military force when they begin to put a value on Haitian life.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Poisoned Avocados
aka_lol and Plain Talk blog about a “local zaboca farmer who claimed to have intentionally poisoned over 200 zabocas” in a desperate attempt to deal with agricultural theft.
Russia: Government to Launch Content Monitoring in December 2011
Roskomnadzor, Russian telecommunications control body, will launch content monitoring system in December 2011, Kommersant.ru reports [ru]. The system ordered in March, 2011 (see GV analysis here) is now in pre-release condition. Its documented abilities allow the monitoring of up to 5 mln keywords published at the websites registered as online mass media...
Egypt: Man Jailed for Three Years for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Egyptian Ayman Youssef Mansur has been sentenced for three years with hard labour in Egypt for “insulting Islam” on Facebook, reports Brian Whitaker in Al Bab.
Moldova, Russia: Controversial Russian Blogger Escapes Prosecution in Moldova
Russian blogger Eduard Bagirov was detained in Chisinau, Moldova, this June and charged with organizing the April 2009 post-election riots there. He was released and placed under house arrest but soon escaped to Russia. While some Russian bloggers question Bagirov's motives and integrity, many seem to trust him.
India: The Tihar Jail VIP Treatment Law
Lazy Optimist reports that certain criminal inmates with political backings receive VIP treatment in Tihar jail, the prison complex near New Delhi.
Ethiopia: Netizens Shine Spotlight on Trial of Swedish Journalists
The trial of two Swedish journalists accused of terrorism in Ethiopia after being detained during a battle between government troops and rebels started on Tuesday. The story has become a hot topic of discussion in both traditional media and online communities worldwide.
Hungary: Oct. 23 Opposition Rally
Hungarian Spectrum and The Contrarian Hungarian write about the Oct. 23 anti-government rally, organized through a Facebook community called Egymillióan a magyar sajtószabadságért [hu; 88,272 ‘likes’]/One Million for the Freedom of Press in Hungary [en; 720 ‘likes’] – and about a pro-government rally, which was scheduled to take place on...
