Stories about Law from November, 2009
Dominica: Billboards Galore
“There are rules. Unfortunately the guardians of those rules are afraid of their paymasters, and the other service providers have no respect for them”: Caribbean Man takes issue with illegal billboards in Dominica.
Bermuda: Crossing the Rubicon
Following news of a gang-related shooting in Bermuda, Vexed Bermoothes says: “The public lawlessness is so depressing that I am at a loss for words.”
Barbados, Jamaica: The Politics of Homosexuality
“In Barbados we have a long way to go regarding how as a country we want to deal with the issue of homosexuality”: Barbados Underground says “it would be unfortunate for some if we wait until the next general election” to start discussing…the societal changes to accept this group of...
Namibia: Justice wanted in forced sterilisation case
Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) wants justice for women whose rights have been violated as a result of forced sterilisation.
Ukraine: News and Views Roundup
Ukraine roundup: flu and politics – at What's Up, Ukraine? and at Jamestown Foundation Blog, here and here; the latest on the tense relationship between the Ukrainian president and PM – at Ukrainiana, as well as two posts – here and here – on one of the 18 presidential candidates,...
Czech Republic, Slovakia: Velvet Revolution, 20 Years On
On Nov. 17, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, and The Czech Daily Word lists “most frequent stupid arguments and errors” of those who believe that “the era of communism was better than the post-revolution times.”
Russia: Medvedev's Speech and IT; Twitter and the Police
Profy writes about the IT dimension of president Medvedev's annual address: “The draft speech was initially published online as a lengthy article by the president and he invited all the citizens to voice their opinions out via the Kremlin official website – and people were definitely very willing to participate...
Seychelles: Turning bling eye to pirates
Cuhnelbad comments on the claims that Seychelles is turning a blind eye to pirates: “This was troubling news indeed, to hear that the Government of my beloved country would be courting the very criminals who, since 2008, are posing a serious threat to our sovereignty, security and the two principal...
Barbados: Police Officer Found Dead
“it is most regrettable when an officer or former officer of the law becomes a crime victim”: Keltruth Corp. is saddned to learn of the death of Barbados’ oldest surviving police officer.
Finland: The Language Issue
Nordic Voices writes about Finland's “language issue.”
Russia: Luzhkov vs NYTimes; “Destruction of Old Moscow”
IZO posts a translation of an open letter to president Medvedev “about the destruction of old Moscow under Mayor Luzhkov,” written by urbanism scholar Yuri Bocharov. Russia! reports on the defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, filed and won by the Moscow mayor.
France: Does Prestigious Literary Award Entail a “Duty of Restraint” ?
The start of this year's French literary season saw French-Senegalese novelist and playwright Marie N'Diaye awarded a much-awaited Prix Goncourt. However, N'Diaye and her family moved to Berlin two years ago, in large part because of French president Nicolas Sarkozy's politics. Will this be another opportunity to celebrate diversity in a changing French society? Or will the moment be spoiled by controversy?
Peru: Blind Lawyer Strives to Be Judge
Peruvian lawyer Edwin Béjar Rojas' goal of becoming a judge had been interrupted by National Council of the Magistracy, who rejected his candidacy because of his visual impairment and refused to give him the test.
Bangladesh: Return Of Nepotism
Shada Kalo tells the sad tale of nepotism and indulgence of corruption in Bangladesh. Recently the son of a ruling party presidium member who was jailed for 18 years on charges of corruption was pardoned by the president.
Egypt: German Justice for Marwa El Sherbini
The killer of Marwa El-Sherbini, the Egyptian woman who was stabbed to death inside a German courthouse by a Russian-German immigrant, Alex Wiens, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, without a possibility for early release. Justice is finally served and the killer is being punished, say Egyptian bloggers.
Morocco: Aicha Ech Chenna Wins Opus Prize
In Morocco, women who get pregnant out of wedlock are often shunned from their communities. Activist and social worker Aicha Ech Chenna has been working for almost 25 years to help such mothers and their children. Now, her efforts are being rewarded.
Liberia: Arrests made in Liberia's gruesome murder
Ceasefire Liberia reports: “Police sources in Monrovia say it has made some arrests in the murder of the late Keith Jubah. Immediately after the incidence police arrested Abel Bondo and James Linka. Keith was Liberia's Public Procurement Chairman.”
Qatar: No one is above the law – really?
Doha bloggers bemused, incredulous and wistful by official remarks that no one in Qatar is above the law. A debate over the merits of that statement quickly evolves into a discussion on press freedom, as more clamor for a new law press law, free from any imprisonment penalties against journalists.
Hungary: Flu Vaccination as “the Great Hungarian Experiment”
The vaccination campaign of the Hungarian National Public Health and Medical Officer Service has inspired a public debate among the institution itself, doctors, politicians and ordinary people who are just not sure whether the Hungarian-made swine flu vaccine is good or not.
Bahamas: Sister's Keeper
“We women survivors of violence of all kinds must break this collective silence…and we women who enjoy relative freedom and safety must extend our hands and voices to our sisters who do not, because we are not free until all are free”: The Bahamas’ Womanish Words calls on women to...
Haiti: Pierre-Louis Ousted
“Haiti's Senate dismissed Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009″: HaitiAnalysis.com reports that some senators believe “the vote was ‘illegal’ and plagued by procedural irregularities.”
