Stories about Law from March, 2012
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
Activity in the Caribbean blogosphere this week has been predominantly coming from Cuba and its diaspora, as the country prepares for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI amidst frustration about the human rights situation on the island and dissatisfaction over the pontiff declining to meet members of the Cuban opposition during his stay.
Colombia: Eduardo Montealegre Appointed as New Chief Prosecutor
Blogs [es] and social networks [es] report [es] and comment [es] on the appointment of the lawyer and Uribe supporter Eduardo Montealegre [es] as new Chief Prosecutor, in replacement of Viviane Morales. Montealegre said he intends to pass a statutory law to permit the extension of the protection of human...
Puerto Rico: New Podcast on Legal Issues
The blog Derecho al Derecho has launched a podcast to discuss legal issues. In the first episode [es], legal scholars Erika Fontánez Torres and Hiram Meléndez Juarbe talk about the “legitimacy of the judicial branch and the critique of judicial institutions.”
Video: Indigenous Communities Document their Growth and Governance
The Indigenous Territory and Governance Platform is made up of a series of institutions all working together to provide the indigenous people of Latin America the tools and resources to be able to strengthen the governance they have of their territory and their community. A series of short videos is used to document their progress. All links lead to Spanish language sites.
Mexico: Anticipation and Reactions on the Verdict of Florence Cassez
Mexicans are of divided opinions over the case of Frenchwoman Florence Cassez, which generated unusual anticipation among netizens. At the end of the day and regardless of the human rights violations (recognized by 4 of the justices) Cassez will remain in prison, while a new verdict is formulated.
Pakistan: Killing of Ahmadis To Be Made Legal?
The Horizon reports that a religious party in Pakistan demanded in an anti-Ahmadiyya conference held in Lahore that “those considered apostate by the Muslims clerics should be put to sword, a view developed through the dark ages of the Muslim Ummah”.
Ukraine: Oksana Makar's Gang Rape Case
Foreign Notes, EUobserver.com, and Ukrainiana write about Oksana Makar's horrible gang rape case. Media mentions, updates and fundraising info [ru, uk] is here (support site), here (Vkontakte page), and here (Twitter).
Russia: Madonna Responds to St. Petersburg “Gay Propaganda” Law Controversy
Singer Madonna has responded to the St. Petersburg “gay propaganda” law controversy on her Facebook page (21,226 ‘likes’, 2,372 shares, 1,422 comments so far): “[…] I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community, to support the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to...
Egypt: Women's Right to Divorce Debated in Parliament
The performance of the new Egyptian Parliament continues to stir debate on social media sites. The new parliament was seen as a move towards to democracy. However, the parliament continues to discuss matters that seem irrelevant to the country’s most pressing needs. Now, MPs are discussing a request to strip women of their right to file for a divorce.
Hungary: An Eventful Celebration of the National Holiday
The prime minister compares the country to a frog; a rapper is elected as "the alternative president"; far-right protesters break into the IMF office; a techno party is held at Budapest's Heroes' Square, followed the next day by a paramilitary group's oath ceremony. Marietta Le reports on this year's eventful celebration of Hungary's National Day.
Cuba: Bloggers Uncomfortable as Pope's Visit Looms
As Pope Benedict XVI's controversial visit to Cuba draws closer, online discussion is heating up. Bloggers are upset over what they perceive as a partnership between communism and Catholicism, especially in light of reportedly ongoing human rights abuses and other surreptitious methods of curtailing personal freedoms.
Hong Kong: Indie Music Made Illegal by Contradictory Policies
Contradictory to the government's policy in the development of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong, autonomous indie music venues and performances have become targets for harassment by a number of government departments, including the police force.
Bahrain: When is a Molotov Cocktail Acceptable?
Marc Owen Jones collects videos allegedly showing Bahrain police forces throwing molotov cocktail (petrol bombs) at protesters and property in this post. Meanwhile, Bahrain has just charged 28 civilians with “attempted murder” for throwing molotov cocktails at policemen.
Brazil: Should Pinheirinho Eviction go to the International Criminal Court?
Brazilian blogger and Amnesty International fellow Carlos Alberto Ungarzo argues [pt] about the need to take the case of the violent eviction of Pinheirinho, which took place on January 22 in the state of São Paulo, to the International Criminal Court.
Jamaica: Corresponding with Vybz Kartel
Jamaica Woman Tongue shares a letter she received from Adidja Palmer, aka Vybz Kartel, who is in prison on murder charges, as well as her response.
Bahamas: The “Get Ahead Syndrome”
Rick Lowe thinks that the only thing that's consistent about Bahamians is their inconsistency.
Jamaica: The Tivoli 73
Active Voice blogs about an art exhibit that references the 73 Jamaican citizens killed during the 2010 Tivoli Gardens occupation: “The 73 flags were suspended with clothespins from a simulated clothesline. You couldn’t help think…were the 73 hung out to dry by the Jamaican government?”
Russia: “Anatomy of a Protest” Film Causes “NTV Lies” Scandal
On Sunday, March 18, there were old TV sets, a mock coffin, and plenty of flowers and cookies outside the Ostankino TV tower in Moscow, where a few hundred protesters gathered for a mock funeral of the "truthful television."
Slovakia: Corruption, Parliamentary Elections, and SMER's Comeback
The March 10 victory in the Slovak parliamentary elections is not the first one for the SMER-Social Democracy party. Formerly a communist, now a social democrat, the party's leader Robert Fico has won for the third time in a row already. Tibor Blazko provides background on this year's vote and reviews some of the online reactions.
Belarus: The 2011 Minsk Metro Explosion – A ‘Hall of Mirrors’
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Vladislav Kovalev and Dmitry Konovalov - the men convicted and sentenced to death for their actions surrounding the April 2011 explosion in a Minsk subway station - have been executed despite international appeals to Belarusian President for clemency.
Cuba: Bloggers Respond to Archbishop's Action
Bloggers are reaching boiling point over the political/religious acts of repression that have been taking place in Cuba - and the Pope hasn't even arrived yet. The latest controversy involves the request to remove protesters from a church, which reportedly came from the Archbishop of Havana.