Stories about Law from September, 2008
Brazil: Suspense as indigenous land rulings in limbo
Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) decided to postpone the decision about Raposa Serra do Sol land but will vote on another less complex demarcation case: the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people have been waiting for this decision for over 26 years. Meanwhile, bloggers comment on the fact that, for first time in the history of Brazil's Supreme Court, an indian lawyer defended her people. Watch the video.
Maldives: New Supreme Court
Kanditheemlive reports that the first ever Supreme Court in the Maldives has been established by the president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom by virtue of the powers given to him in the new Constitution.
India: Anti-tobacco policy
Suman Kumar criticizes the tobacco policy of India and tells that the anti-tobacco/anti-smoking policies taken by the government are not based on ground realities.
Mexico: Suspects Arrested in Morelia Attack
Suspects in the grenade attack in Morelia, Mexico have been arrested thanks to an anonymous phone call, writes Vivir México [es].
Trinidad & Tobago: In God We Trust?
“Who are they trying to keep out? Is this what we've come to?”: Trinidadian blogger Coffeewallah is incredulous that a church has erected an electric fence around its premises.
Colombia: Conflict Continues Between Uribe and Supreme Court
The ongoing conflict between Colombian president Álvaro Uribe and the Supreme Court continues with new twists, including some leaked information regarding a meeting at the Presidential residence. Colombian bloggers take sides and wonder whether the conflict is an attempt to discredit other branches of government.
Deal Reached on Extension of Renewable Energy Tax credits
On Gristmill blog, Kate Shepard reports “The Senate appears to have reached a deal on a major tax package that includes the extension of tax credits for renewable energy that are set to expire at the end of this year.”
Mexico: Aftermath of Morelia Explosions
Manuel Robles of Experto de Nada [es] collects some of his observations in the aftermath of the explosions in Morelia, Mexico, especially about President Felipe Calderon's behavior.
Indonesia's anti-porn law
Yalun blogs about the negative impact of Indonesia's anti-porn law.
Uganda: Forest Destruction by the Government
Blogger Moses Sserwanga calls on MPs not to allow forest destruction by the government in the form of allocations to companies.”Parliament should not give free rein to government to do as they please; to destroy what remains of the country’s forest cover.”
Russia: Where did the votes go?
Osteuropablog accounts for [GER] an article in Kommersant, stating that information about election results have disappeared from the website of Russia's Central Election Commission.
Bangladesh: Was Bridget illegally adopted by McCains?
Shada Kalo blog questions whether US presidential candidate John McCain and Cindy McCain's adoption of their Bangladeshi daughter Bridget is illegal as according to Bangladesh Law ‘no foreigner is allowed to adopt a Bangladeshi child’.
Mexico: Explosions in Morelia During Independence Day Celebrations
Two hand grenades were tossed into a crowd in the city of Morelia, Mexico during independence day celebrations. Eight people were killed, and more than 100 were injured. Authorities are blaming the attack on drug cartels, who have been responsible for brutal killings throughout the country. This concern also led to a recent protest march that attracted thousands. Mexican bloggers are mourning this latest tragedy and are calling on the government to act.
Barbados: Extortion Ring
“They stop tourist hired cars by standing in front of them. They inform the drivers that the road is closed, instruct them to drive another way and then demand money for the ‘assistance'”: Barbados Free Press calls on the police to clamp down on the Boscobel “Road Toll Gang”.
Guyana: Criminal Inquiry?
As the opposition party calls for an inquiry into the deaths of two suspected mass murderers, Living Guyana says: “We disagree. No one can deny that the deaths of Fineman and Skinny have put a serious dent in crime and have gone a far way at dismantling a well established...
Moroccan Bloggers Strike for Erraji
When Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji was arrested last week, the blogoma's thoughts turned immediately to the case of Fouad Mourtada, the young man arrested earlier this year for impersonating Prince Moulay Rachid on Facebook. And just as they did when Mourtada faced imprisonment, Moroccan bloggers mobilized to support Erraji.
Arabeyes: Ramadan Thoughts
With the holy month of Ramadan quickly wrapping up, bloggers from around the Arab world share their thoughts on the month, their activities, driving standards and their yearning for a holiday. Following are some reactions from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Libya.
Ukraine, Romania: Snake Island Dispute
The 8th Circle writes that the Romanian-Ukrainian dispute over Snake Island isn't about “a piece of rock in the Black Sea (about 600×400meters)” – but about natural gas and oil reserves under the Black Sea.
Pakistan: rape and silence of the society
Adil Najam of All Things Pakistan discusses the growing number of rapes in Karachi and opines that the silence of the victims and the society is to blame.
Puerto Rico: Real ID is really intrusive
Puerto Rican bloggers are calling attention to the government's latest deed, the application of the Real ID Act to the island's drivers. The Real ID, which has come under fire by many states in the mainland US, is one of the measures implemented by President Bush's administration to "fight terrorism".
Latvia: Death Penalty
Marginalia writes about the talk of reinstating the death penalty in Latvia.