Stories about Law from September, 2012
Madagascar: Killings Between Villagers and Gangsters Rock the Southern Region
If the rebellion in the South is not quickly resolved, we risk to see the conflict extend farther and a scenario like the partition in Mali would become a distinct...
India: Arrest of Cartoonist on Sedition Charges Sparks Debate
On 8 September, award-winning political cartoonist, Aseem Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai, India, on charges of sedition and is now in judicial custody. Netizens expressed outrage over his arrest, a move they see as politically motivated and an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression.
Egypt: NGO Trial Adjourned
On Storify, MaliciaRogue shares tweets on the trial of 43 foreign and Egyptian non-governmental organisation workers, accused of receiving funding from foreign sources and operating in Egypt without permission. The...
Cambodia: Mandatory Internet Surveillance Cameras
The Cambodian government is enforcing a circular drafted earlier this year which requires internet cafes to set up surveillance cameras and to register callers. The circular is seen by some netizens as a threat to internet freedom.
Bahrain: Despite the Ban, Opposition Protests in the Capital
Despite a ban which prohibits Bahrainis from protesting in the capital Manama, demonstrators braved police and turned out for a call to protest led by opposition societies. Elias Maki takes a look at citizen media comments in the run up, during and after the protests.
Singapore: Media Literacy Council to Curb Internet Freedom?
To promote ‘public education on media literacy and cyber wellness’ the Singapore government has set up a Media Literacy Council. But bloggers are worried that the council could be a tool to restrict internet media freedom
Russia: Top Opposition Blogger Investigated for Ethnic Extremism
According to documents published online, police in Volgograd are investigating one of blogger Aleksei Navalny's newest crowdsourcing projects, the "Good Machine of Truth," for possible ethnic extremism in its propaganda efforts against United Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Saudi Arabia: Reformist Figures Refuse Secret Trial
The third hearing session in the ongoing trials of two prominent Saudi human rights activists was held earlier today, September 8. Mohammad al-Qahtani and Abdullah al-Hamid, who are among the co-founders of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, are facing charges that include inciting the public to protest and impeding the country’s development. When the judge insisted on holding the session behind closed doors, the activists decided to leave.
India: Standing Neck Deep in Water to Protest
Fifty one residents of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have launched a ‘Jal Satyagraha' protest by standing neck deep inside the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river. The protest is against the government decision to raise the water level of the dam pending rehabilitation.
Egypt: Security Forces Destroy Alexandria's Historic Book Market
Egyptians woke up this morning to the news of the destruction of bookshops on pavements along Prophet Danial's street in Alexandria by the Ministry of Interior. The raid, at dawn, left netizens angry with the Muslim Brotherhood, which they claim is waging a war on culture.
Kenya: Murder of Muslim Cleric in Mombasa Sparks Riots
The killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo, a Kenyan controversial cleric, on August 27, 2012, caused riots and unrest in Mombasa, a coastal city and a main tourist destination in Kenya. The riots, which resulted in more than ten casualties, prompted netizens to discuss issues such as extra judicial killings, human rights, religious tensions and long-standing local grievances over land ownership and employment opportunities for Kenyan youths in Mombasa.
South Korea: Samsung, National Champion or Corporate Evil?
Sure, Samsung might be seen by some as a national champion, but there are many who also see it as the epitome of corporate evil—and not without reason Wrote Robert Koehler...
Armenia: Students Pen Letter to Hungarian Prime Minister
The blog, An Armenian Journalist Notes, posts about a letter from a collective group of Armenian students addressing their frustration and disappointment about recent events involving the extradition of Ramil...
Russia: Online Platform for Auditing Court Decisions
With the appearance of "RosPravosudie," Russians have gained a comprehensive database of information about lawyers, attorneys, judges, and judicial decisions. Its founder, Gleb Suvorov, recently spoke to Greenhouses of Social Technologies about what can be achieved in just 100 days of online existence and about ways to improve Russia's judicial system.
Bahrain: Appeals Court Upholds Life Imprisonment for Opposition Leaders
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011. Bahrain's High Court of Appeals upheld jail sentences against 20 opposition figures accused of plotting to overthrow the...
Taiwan: Smear Campaign Sparks Historic Media Monopoly Protest
A smear campaign against Taiwanese scholar Huang Kuo-chang by Want Want China Time's media outlets, in reaction to his opposition of the group's acquisition of a television cable network back in July 2012, has triggered intense public outrage - and the largest anti-media monopoly protest in the country's history.
North Korea: Recap of its Satellite Development and Airspace Usage
North Korea Tech blog wrote a post on North Korea's space development and use of its airspace with data from he pulled from an old email archive, providing a bit of history....
Morocco: Sexual Abuse to Cry Long Live the King
Once we got to the police station, they stripped us of all of our clothing and stuck hard objects into our anuses. They also ripped out our eyelashes, reports Nour...
Bahrain: Leading Opposition Figures on Trial
Bahrain's High Court of Appeals is expected to announce its verdict in the case of 13 leading opposition figures accused of plotting to overthrow the regime tomorrow [September 4, 2012]. While international human rights organisations describes them as “prisoners of conscience,” Bahraini authorities and the local Press call them “terrorists” for their role in anti-government protests, which started in Bahrain on February 14, 2011.
Kenya: Investigative Blogger Charged With Intercepting Data
Kenyan investigative blogger, Dennis Itumbi, has been charged with intercepting data in a computer system without consent for allegedly publishing internal emails revealing serious security flaws at a regional airline.
Russia: Activist Jailed on Trumped Up Drug Charges
Earlier this week, the list of what many are calling Russia's 'political prisoners' grew yet again. On August 28, activist Taisiya Osipova was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug possession: four years more than the prosecution had requested.
