Stories about Law from March, 2011
Macedonia: A Requiem for Democracy
Filip Stojanovski translates Macedonian bloggers' comments on how the public democratic dialog within state institutions has been replaced with private meetings between leaders of the biggest political parties.
Cuba: About Gadaffi
“I am ashamed that my country is anxious to defend Gadaffi”: Iván's File Cabinet says that “there is no justification for being friends with such characters” and points fingers at several factions that he thinks deserves the blame.
Barbados, Turks & Caicos: Corruption Charges
As the brother of a former Turks and Caicos Finance Minister is arrested on allegations of fraud and money laundering, Barbados Free Press says: “In Barbados when elected or appointed public officials or their family members are found to be engaged in corrupt activities, the politicians will trade some insults...
Jamaica: Legal Wrangling
“The cross-examination of…Minister of Justice and Attorney-General [in the Manatt Dudus Enquiry] continued this week”: Jamaica and the World says, “It was excruciating to watch.”
Mexico: U.S. Drones Gather Intelligence on Drug Cartels
A story first reported on March 15 by The New York Times has garnered strong responses from Mexican netizens based at home and abroad. Citing American and Mexican officials, the paper reported that "the Obama administration has begun sending drones deep into Mexican territory to gather intelligence that helps locate major traffickers and follow their networks."
Hungary: A Visit To Gyöngyöspata
Activists of IndymediaCalling shared their recent experiences in Gyöngyöspata, a village in northern Hungary that got famous for being ‘occupied’ by members of a far-right paramilitary organization.
Bhutan: The Right To Information
Sonam questions the authority of employers who do not allow using social networks during official hour as right to information is a constitutional right for a Bhutanese citizen.
Pakistan: Investigating Loan Write-offs A Bad Idea
Feisal Naqvi at Monsoon Frog explains why the investigation into loan write-offs was a bad idea.
Pakistan: Blood Money Sets Raymond Davis Free
Raymond Davis, an American security official, was charged for two counts of murder in Pakistan and citing him as a diplomatic official the US State Department demanded his release under Vienna convention. Davis was released after relatives of the dead received "blood money" under Islamic shariah law. Netizens raise questions.
Malawi: Of Classroom Spies and Academic Freedom
On the morning of 12 February 2011 the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service summoned University of Malawi Associate Professor, Dr. Blessings Chinsinga, to interrogate him on allegations that he had been inciting university students to take to the streets in protest against the Malawi government. Dr. Chinsinga is said to have alluded to the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt to illustrate his point. News of the summoning appeared within hours on Boniface Dulani's blog.
Malaysia: Blogger who wrote about sex scandal arrested
uppercaise reported that popular blogger Mohd Nur Hanief Abdul Jalil from Malaysia was arrested and questioned under the Sedition Act. The blogger recently wrote about a sex scandal involving the Sultan of Selangor and a celebrity model
Hungary: Waiting for the Hungarian Guard
The conflict between the Roma and the Hungarian community of Gyöngyöspata, a village north of Budapest, escalated drastically when paramilitary organizations appeared in the settlement some two weeks ago, after the far-right Hungarian political party's rally. Marietta Le reports on the online response to the situation.
Macedonia: Census Postponed Till October
As anticipated, the Macedonian parliament adopted a new law on Wednesday, which postpones the Census [MKD]–originally scheduled for April–until October. Political leaders [MKD] have still not set the date for the early elections: May and June are rumored as the likeliest time right now.
Bhutan: The Prime Minister Speaks
The Bhutanese Prime Minister arranged an impromptu press conference to get his government’s views across on proceedings regarding the Supreme Court’s controversial verdict against the government on tax raise. I Am Drukpa has details.
Haiti: Election Violence Escalates
Election-related violence in Haiti appears to be escalating. As Haitian presidential candidate and legal scholar Mirlande Manigat set out to begin a campaign rally in Mirebalais yesterday, her convoy was stoned by alleged supporters of opponent Michel Martelly, leading to a scuffle that resulted in gunshots and wounds.
Philippines signs Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Lawyer Harry Roque was a witness when the Philippine president signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court last week.
Curacao: Attorneys’ Image
Karel's Legal Blog looks at the image of lawyers.
Cuba: Citizen-Generated Info
Generation Y is watching TV “when suddenly there’s the familiar face of Dagoberto Valdés accompanied by a description of a ‘counterrevolutionary element'”, noting that citizen media has afforded him “the capacity to disseminate ideas which — in the face of an attack like this — becomes his principal sin and...
Russia: Tweets From State Duma “Internet Law” Hearing
Inna Smbatyan, analyst at “Social Networks” Agency, tweets [ru] from the Russian State Duma “Internet Law” hearing. The draft of the law that would regulate online activity in Russia can be found here [ru].
Cuba: The Need to Blog
“Writing online is not easy for Cubans. A challenge. And we have to be brave to face it”: Laritza's Laws explains why blogging is important to her.
Russia: Election monitors harassed
Putin Watcher reports on the threats, harassment, arrests, and beatings election monitors from the organization Golos have received while monitoring the recent regional elections in Russia.
