Stories about Law from February, 2016
Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Publisher and Shut Down Book Fair Booth for ‘Hurting Religious Sentiments’
Bangladesh’s constitution enshrines the right to free expression, and atheists have the same rights as other citizens. But authorities have done little to stop attacks against those critical of religion.
Remember When the Mayor of Port of Spain Promised to Resign for Victim-Shaming a Murdered Woman? He Doesn’t.
Port of Spain's mayor promised to step down after blaming a woman's murder on her choice to wear a bikini. Then he un-promised, refusing to leave office.
In Trinidad and Tobago, Violence Has Been ‘Normal Normal’ For Way Too Long
In Trinidad and Tobago people have come—at their peril—to accept that violence is a part of life. But maybe it's time to push back against this idea?
Serbia's Ombudsman Wants a Belgrade Police Chief Fired for Obstructing Journalists
“There was an unlawful use of force, there were threats...Many bad things were done,”
Teenager's Death After Police Questioning Leads to Review of Crime Investigation Procedure in Singapore
"We find it absurd that while public spaces are heavily surveilled with security cameras, interrogation rooms are not fitted with any cameras to allow for transparency of the interrogation process."
Citizens Protest Against Trinidad Mayor's ‘Vulgar’ Victim-Blaming Statements
"Clothing does not cause violence. Dark streets do not cause violence. Walking alone at night does not cause violence."
A Colombian Official Takes Short-Lived Legal Action Against a Journalist Over His Tweets
"...limitation of freedom of expression must be necessary and proportionate, that is, it must be the only and most effective means, something which is not true in this case."
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
The Next Time You're in Moscow, Don't Bother Trying the Shawarma
Moscow awoke earlier this week to find that the city has a new face. Before dawn on February 9, the mayor's office tore down roughly a hundred small businesses.
Kremlin Censor Finally Brings Down the Hammer on the RuNet’s Pluckiest Freedom Advocates
Government censors have blocked the website of Russian digital rights organization RosKomSvoboda for a page with instructions on how to circumvent online censorship and access blocked websites.
Local Trinidad & Tobago Mayor Sparks Outrage After Victim-Blaming in Masquerader's Death
Did the mayor of Port of Spain just imply that women's behaviour was inextricably linked to their safety? That's how the majority of netizens heard it -- and they're angry.
Incidents of Violence Spoil Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival
Violence by band security and the discovery of a dead masquerader have put a dark cloud over Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2016.
‘A Good Day for the Internet Everywhere': India Bans Differential Data Pricing
Indian Telecom Regulatory Authority bans differential data pricing and Facebook's large plans for Free Basics come to an end.
Will Egyptian Doctors Vote in Favor of a Nationwide Strike Next Friday?
Egyptian doctors are threatening a nationwide strike if an investigation is not launched after colleagues in a teaching hospital were assaulted by policemen. Netizens back doctors in their demands.
How an Indian Singer's Impromptu Inflight Performance Led to Crew Members’ Suspension
"We really need to grow up! Flights tend to be boring - so what if Sonu Nigam sang a song? How is that a 'security threat'?"
Calls for Civil Disobedience in Australia Over Children's Offshore Detention
UN:"#LetThemStay: #Nauru is not a safe or appropriate environment to send vulnerable people, esp children."
Ukrainian Censor's ‘Explicit Content’ Database Is Up for Grabs
Ukraine's now extinct National Expert Commission for Protection of Public Morality accumulated a database of "explicit" content during its tenure—and no one knows what to do with it.
A Tanzanian Woman's Brutal Mob Assault Highlights Racism in India
"Sudanese guy causes accident. Tanzanian girl caught. Stripped, beaten. Because, if you're a misogynist & racist, who has time for geography?"
Saudi Arabia Reduces Ashraf Fayadh's Death Sentence to Eight Years in Prison and 800 Lashes
Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence of Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh, accused of apostasy and other blasphemy-related offenses which he denies, to eight years imprisonment and 800 lashes.
Russian Social Network VK Claims to Protect Users From Warrantless Surveillance
VKontakte's Ukrainian spokesperson says the social network abhors censorship and only shares user data with secret services when presented with court orders. The website's turbulent history paints a different picture.
Seizing Jewelry Isn't the Only Awful Change to Denmark's Refugee Law
The law says asylum seekers must now wait up to three years to have their spouses and children join them, which could violate Denmark’s international treaty commitments.