Stories about Law from September, 2013
Opinion Leader Charles Xue Forced to Prostitute Himself on Chinese State TV
Charles Xue's self criticism in front of CCTV reminded many of the "class struggle session" during the Cultural Revolution.
Dissecting Myanmar's Internet Connection Woes
Jefry Tupas analyzed some of the issues that affect Myanmar's Internet sector. He cited the high costs of acquiring telephone handsets, SIM cards, and Internet connection in the country. He also wrote about the social and economic impact of the slow Internet speed which is believed to be controlled by...
China Detains Activist Billionaire Wang Gongquan Amid Crackdown on Dissent
Beijing police arrested and detained billionaire venture capitalist Wang Gongquan, a latest move in cracking down the emerging civil society in China.
Petition Call to Ban Ivory Trade in Hong Kong
Tom Grundy has more background about the local Hong Kong law on illegal ivory trade.
Maldives Presidential Votes Will Need A Second Round
88% of the 240,000 voters in Maldives voted last Saturday (7 September, 2013) to elect a president, hoping to end the long political turmoil. As Mohamed Nasheed, the first elected president of Maldives, who was ousted in a coup 20 months ago, couldn't secure a majority, the poll headed to...
500 Retweets Will Now Get You Three Years in Prison in China
Sharing information on the Internet that is defamatory or "harms national interest" could land China's Internet users in jail.
Indian Border Guard Acquitted in Brutal Shooting of Bangladeshi Girl
Photographs of her dead body tangled in the wire were widely published at the time. The court's decision touched off a wave of anger in Bangladesh.
Burkina Faso: An African Crisis in the Making?
While Mali is awaiting the results of its presidential elections, the neighboring Burkina Faso is also preparing for senate elections amid much tension. These elections will be a prelude to the presidential elections of 2015.
Saudi Arabia Monitors its Lawyers Tweets
Saudi Arabia is monitoring tweets by lawyers. Many see this as another blow to freedom of expression and advocating for people's rights in the absolute monarchy.
Presidents, Oligarchs and Potash: Russia's Trade War With Belarus
Belarusian authorities arrested Vladislav Baumgartner, CEO of Uralkaliy, a large Russian potash mining company. Russia retaliated by cancelling some of its subsidies and banning Belarusian pork imports.
“I Know A Rapist”: The Blog that Won't Stay Silent
A Tumblr blog collects testimonies [fr] of people who know a sexual predator. The “About” page of the site states that the goal is to show that rapists are not just psychopaths who are statistical outliers but people we know (80% of rape victims knew their aggressors). One contributor recalls one...
Podcast: Bo Xilai's Trial
Sinica hosts Ed Wong from the New York Times and James Miles of The Economist for a closer look at Bo Xilai's trial. The podcast discusses media transparency in China and historical comparisons with previous political purges, including the famous case against Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four during...
Infographic On Buddhist Attack On A Mosque In Colombo
On August 10, 2013 a well–planned attack on a mosque in the Grandpass area of Sri Lankan capital Colombo was launched by armed Buddhist extremists. Sri Lankan blogger Abdul Halik Azeez shares a timeline and infographic of the events (by Rally For Unity) that took place in Grandpass between June...
China: A Question Becomes a Rumor
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated a report about a rumour crackdown case in Hebei. A woman asking if a murder took place in Louzhuang was arrested and detained for 5 days for spreading rumour and disturbing public order.
Hong Kong: More Restriction Imposed on Domestic Maids
The Hong Kong government has imposed further restriction on the domestic maids and made it harder for them to quit their contract and change job. Tom Grundy pointed out that the new policy will entrap domestic workers to abusive employers.
Croatia's EU Membership Off to Rocky Start Over Extradition Law
Croatia agrees to fully apply EU extradition law after Brussels raises possibility of sanctions against the new EU member state.
Meet Aminata Touré, the New Iron Lady of Senegal
Aminata Touré was introduced as the new prime minister of Senegal after Abdoul Mbaye was dismissed by president Macky Sall [fr]. Assirou News states that [fr] Touré is a human rights activist and a former coordinator for the UNFPA. Boubacar Kante reports that she is also known as Senegal's “Iron...
When Reality TV Meets Humanitarian Action in Italy
Many Italians are already criticising RAI 1's humanitarian aid reality TV show in development, several months before it is scheduled to air.
Saudi Activist Tried, Separated from His Lawyers
The fourth session of the ongoing trial of Umar al-Saeed took place earlier today. Separated from his lawyers, al-Saeed had to speak loudly to consult with them during the trial.
Chinese Professor Suspended for Teaching Constitutionalism
It's not the first time that outspoken professor Zhang Xuezhong of East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai has been penalized for his views.
