Stories about Law from January, 2014
Major US Drug Bust Forces Trinidad & Tobago to Confront Parallel Economy
News that a cocaine shipment with a street value of US $100 million was intercepted in Virginia, has T&T netizens pondering whether the country is becoming a narco state.
Indonesian Maid Says She Was Beaten, Starved and Burned in Hong Kong
Another damning case of foreign maid abuse has recently been exposed in Hong Kong. Activist groups are working together to end this modern-day slave system.
Is the Vybz Kartel Trial an Opportunity for Jamaica?
Jamaican music has always captured the global imagination, especially when celebrities become outlaws. One blogger suggests that the Vbyz Kartel murder trial holds valuable lessons about legal and social justice.
Jamaica: MLK Recognises the Role of Garvey
Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp uses the occasion of Martin Luther King Day to agitate for the exoneration of the late Jamaican Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey.
Haiti, D.R.: Stateless in the Dominican Republic
jmc strategies blogs about the issue of Haitian statelessness in the Dominican Republic, specifically addressing anti-Haitian sentiment, questionable labour and living conditions, and forced repatriations, while offering solutions to the impasse.
Peru and Chile Await The Hague's Decision on Maritime Border Dispute
On January 27, the International Court of Justice in The Hague will make public its judgment in respect of the maritime border dispute between Peru and Chile.
INFOGRAPHIC: The New Anti-Democratic Laws of Ukraine
On January 16, 2014, Ukrainian Parliament adopted a series of bills with a severe violation of the voting procedure. Nevertheless, on the eve of the same day the bills were signed into law by President Yanukovych. Below is an infographic by civic movement CHESNO [uk, en] outlining the major legislative...
Blogger and Commando Argue Russian Terrorism
As the Sochi Olympics approach, some bloggers argue about who is behind terrorist attacks, most of which take place in the part of Russia closest to the games.
Ukraine Stifles Freedom of Speech, Peaceful Protest With New Law
The Ukrainian parliament has passed a law that openly restricts free speech, peaceful protest and free communications in the country, leaving citizens and journalists outraged.
The Sad Fate of Multimillionaire Marriages in Russian Officialdom
Russia’s leading anti-corruption blogger, Alexey Navalny, is making waves again with his latest online work, a series of allegations against Maxim Liksutov, the head of Moscow’s department of transportation.
Being Gay in Nigeria Now Means Arrest, Prison
Nigeria has arrested dozens of gay men under the country's new anti-gay law, Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, signed by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 7, 2014.
Japan Scores Well on Internet Freedom Status Report
U.S. based watchdog organization Freedom House compiled a report on Freedom on the Net 2013 and included the report on Japan for the first time. Japan was evaluated as “Free”, where the constitution protects all forms of speech and prohibits censorship, and Internet and digital media freedom are generally well established. For...
Call for Better Crime Fighting Policy in the Bahamas
The government has failed…the prime minister…continues to pass the buck, throwing words and rhetoric at the cycle of violence, instead of mustering common sense and workable responses. Bahama Pundit takes on what it calls the Prime Minister's “disastrous leadership on crime”.
Fireworks Set Off Online Protests in Trinidad and Tobago
After a particularly ear-splitting Christmas season, animal rights activists have begun an online campaign advocating for a permanent ban on what many deem to be illegal fireworks.
Russia’s Parliament Prepares New “Anti-Terrorist” Laws for Internet
Another Internet crackdown looms in Russia, where the Duma is reviewing three new pieces of “anti-terror” legislation that could place hefty restrictions on the activities of websites and civil society.
Spain's Princess Cristina Charged with Money Laundering and Tax Evasion
Although it is technically possible, few people in Spain expect to see the Infanta Cristina on trial.
Guyana Spurns USAID Democracy Project
Guyanese blogger, Sara Bharrat, writes an open letter to Roger F. Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat in Guyana, concerning the Guyana's decision to pull out of a USAID project to support local elections and political participation due to “lack of consultation.” …why should the US have to come into...
Russia Bans All Liquids on Aircraft
In the aftermath of the twin bombings in Volgograd before the New Year's holiday, Russia’s Transportation Ministry revised its rules on what airline passengers can bring on board.
Monitoring the Russian Internet for Big Bucks
The Russian Federal Protective Service is asking software developers to design a system that automatically monitors the country’s news and social media, producing reports that study netizens’ political attitudes.
7 Theories of Why Putin Freed Khodorkovsky
Illarionov has devoted special attention to Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s unexpected release from prison last December, and his most recent piece on the subject itemizes several different explanations for Putin’s sudden decision.
