Stories about Law from November, 2012
Saudi Judge: “The ruler has the right to do what he sees fit”
The fifth session of the ongoing trial of the two prominent human rights activists Mohammad Al-Qahtani and Abdullah Al-Hamid was held earlier today. During the session, Al-Qahtani asked the judge whether it was legitimate to imprison people without sentences? The judge responded: "The ruler has the right to do what he sees fit."
Japan's New Copyright Law Creates Confusion
Japan’s revised copyright law was partially enforced on October 1, and now penalizes the act of illegal downloading and DVD ripping for personal use. If arrested, one will be sentenced for up to 2 years in jail or fined 2 million yen, which is approximately US$ 25,680. But Japan's Internet users are confused by the new law.
Jamaica: The Gay Man is Somebody's Son
Referring to the recent gay bashing at a Jamaican university, Active Voice republishes a poem by Tanya Shirley as “a timely intervention into the barbarism threatening to drown us.”
A Legal Solution to Mob Justice in Nigeria?
On 5 October 2012, four students from the University of Port Harcourt were beaten and burnt to death for allegedly robbing a blackberry and a laptop. The brutal murder of these students has triggered debate and an online mobilization against mob justice in Nigeria.
Journalist's Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan: Bad Joke or Crime?
She was abducted at gunpoint and taken blindfolded to a deserted area. She was then ordered to undress partially as several men threatened to rape and kill her. Afterwards, she was told this was all a joke.
China: China observers’ Twitter Accounts Hacked
China Digital Times reported that several high profile China observers’ Twitter accounts have received warning messages that their accounts are hacked.
Every Day Is A Holiday For Some Nepali Government Officials
In November, 2012, the home ministry of Nepal has proposed a two-days holiday per week plan for all government offices to address the problem of energy crisis and black-outs. Guffadi claims that everyday is a holiday for some Nepali govt officials who come late in the office and loiter around.
Sri Lankan Ruling Coalition To Impeach The Chief Justice
N Sathiya Moorthy reports that the the ruling UPFA coalition is set to impeach Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice Sirani Bandaranaike.
Egypt to Ban Porn Sites
Egypt has announced [ar] today that access to all porn sites will be banned. Netizens discuss the move on Twitter, saying any kind of censorship will have dire consequences on free speech - as it opens the door to abuse by the authorities and the muzzling of voices online.
Ukrainians Rally in Protest Over Vote-Rigging
Online reports that have been coming in from disputed districts over the past week offer a good insight into the Ukrainian election routine and also help explain the frustration of ordinary voters.
Jamaica: Talking about the Gay Issue
Take a look at another perspective on the beating of a gay university student in Jamaica.
Myanmar: Foreign Investment Bill Approved
Myanmar President Thein Sein signed the foreign investment law which was approved by the parliament last September. The president suggested 11 minor amendments which the parliament accepted except for one provision. The new law is expected to facilitate more foreign investments as Myanmar continues to implement economic reforms.
Student Beating Raises Issue of Homophobia in Jamaica
A gay student at Jamaica's University of Technology (UTech) was allegedly caught in a "compromising position" and suffered a beating at the hands of campus security guards. The incident was captured on video and immediately went viral, raising the question of homophobia and gay rights in Jamaica.
Despite Threats, Macedonian Activists Fight for Fair Energy Law
Members of the grassroots civil initiative AMAN, who are demanding fair energy legislation and an end to state-controlled price hikes in Macedonia, are facing various forms of pressure, including increasing threats. On Saturday, the police averted a violent incident during a rally.
The Latest LiveJournal Sensation, Courtesy of the Russian Special Forces
The anonymous LJ blog hardingush was created on September 15. Now, less than two months later, the blog, subtitled "Ingush Special Forces, is number 425th in LJ's general user rating. Netizens have left over 4,000 comments on its various posts. Four of these posts also made it into the October top-25 list of North Caucasus bloggers. But who's behind the account?
Macedonia: Documenting Online Protest Against Censorship
On October 9, nearly 200 Macedonian websites participated in a day-long blackout, protesting the censorship-inducing provisions [mk, en, sq] that the Government “sneaked in” within the Draft Law on Civic Liability for Defamation, presented as approved by the EU and COE. Activists from Free Software Macedonia, who provided the JavaScript...
Saint Lucia: 25 Proposals to Help Move Forward
Amatus Edwards has a comprehensive list of 25 proposals to help move Saint Lucia forward.
Trinidad & Tobago: Taking Steps To Combat White Collar Crime
This crisis is an important opportunity to decide if we want to do differently. Do we? If not, crapaud smoke we pipe. If we really want to do differently, we have to start thinking differently and stop the point-scoring games. Afra Raymond thinks that decisive action needs to be taken to combat...
Six Month Jail for Insulting Bahrain King on Twitter
One of four Twitter users, detained in Bahrain and reportedly charged with insulting the country's king, was sentenced to six months in prison today. Bahraini lawyer Mohammed Abdulameer tweets [ar]: @wastilawyeR: One of those accused of insulting the King of Bahrain was sentenced by the Criminal Court to six months...
