Stories about Law from January, 2013
Russian Facebook of Horrors: The Murder Trail
A Moscow chef, Alexey Kabanov, has allegedly strangled and dismembered his wife and mother of three small children, Irina Cherska. Kabanov and Cherska were tightly integrated into the protest-minded Russophone Facebook community.
Armenian Blogger on Trial for Satire Photo of Politician
Edgar Barseghyan, the creator of satire photo website, Demotivator.am is on trial for publishing a satirical photo of a model's body with the superimposed face of Armenian politician Tigran Urikhanyan and the caption "Stylish Politician of the Year".
Oral History Of The Indian Constitution
Rohit De at ‘Law And Other Things’ informs that journalist, blogger and writer Sidin Vadukut has uploaded a series of podcasts on the oral history of the Indian constitution, beginning with the reforms of 1858.
Saudi Activists’ Verdict Postponed
The verdict on the two prominent Saudi human rights activists Mohammad Al-Qahtani and Abdullah Al-Hamid, which was supposed to be delivered this Wednesday, January 15th, was postponed indefinitely.
Pedophilia & Rape Accusations Flood the RuNet with Cruelty
The Internet, any way you slice it, is a strange place populated by strange people. In the last few weeks, the Russian Internet—often your typical den of online cliques and conspiracy theorists—has boiled over the levees of "strange" and flooded the RuNet with a new intensity of bizarre moral recriminations. In the six days since RuNet Echo first reported on this story, top blogger Rustem Adagamov's situation has developed rapidly.
Two Kurdish Activists Face Death Penalty in Iran
Two young Iranian Kurd activists, Zaniar and Loghman Moradi are about to be sent to the gallows according to multiple Iranian news websites and human rights organisations.
Discussing the Caribbean's Rape Culture
The disturbing gang-rape - and subsequent death - of a young woman in Delhi, India, has elicited global outrage and discussion about gender-based violence. A handful of Caribbean-based bloggers have been sharing their thoughts, not the least of which is that rape is a men's issue.
Russia's Protest Movement Is Back (to Usual)
For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past year: the Russian protest movement—which sprung to life in December 2011—has collapsed. Trusted demonstration speakers are selling toothpaste on TV, top bloggers are accused of pedophilia, and recent rallies have attracted smaller crowds. In other words, Russia's opposition—as it's been known throughout the Putin years—is back to usual.
Public Prosecutor Seeks Flogging for Saudi Women Protesters
Last Saturday, January 5th, relatives of uncharged prisoners managed to organize a small protest in Saudi Arabian city Buraida to demand the release of the prisoners. The protesters, all of them were women and children, were quickly surrounded and arrested by police forces since all methods of public dissent are strictly prohibited and harshly crushed in the absolute monarchy.
Police Harass Ordinary Citizens in Kerala, India
The Delhi gang-rape case has activated many live discussions and the moral policing of the Indian societies. In Kerala, most recently there have been three incidents of police harassing the ordinary citizens have been discussed in the social media.
Ecuador: “Children of the Jaguar” Documentary Wins National Geographic Prize
"Children of the Jaguar" is a vivid documentary that helps us to reflect on the damage caused by multinationals who attempt to exploit the oil reserves of the Ecuadorian Amazon forest and on the constant struggle by local inhabitants to defend their lands.
Dueling Demonstrations Surround Same-Sex Marriage in France
For several months there has been a raging debate in France surrounding 'universal marriage' (i.e. same-sex marriage). Those who oppose same-sex marriage Commitment 31 want for the whole nation, not merely the parliamentarians, to engage in the debate.
Should Prostitution be Abolished or Regulated? Part I
Two hundred NGO's from across Europe gathered at the European Parliament in Brussels on December 4, 2012. They called for the abolition of prostitution and presented the outlines of a potential abolitionist policy for Europe. For these organisations, criminalization of prostituion is the key to counter human trafficking for sexual purposes. In Europe and around the world, sex workers disagree with the proposed measures and ask for more respect for their rights.
Snowballs: Russia's Phantom Menace
St. Petersburg police have dispersed a snowball fighting flashmob in the city center. The RuNet is outraged.
Sex Allegations Hound Russia's Top Blogger
As RuNet was preparing to celebrate the New Year, Tatyana Delsal, estranged ex-wife of popular blogger and Coordinating Council member Rustem Adagamov, has accused him of statutory rape.
Italy: #iostoconmarco, hunger strike against inhuman jail conditions
Marco Pannella, long-standing Radical Party leader, went on hunger-and-thirst strike demanding better living conditions in Italian jails -- with great support and lively discussion on social media. Now the hope is to see these topics included in political parties' programs leading up to February 2013 general elections.
Tunisian Army Critic Gets a One-Year Suspended Jail Sentence
A military court increased Ayoub Massoudi's suspended jail term from four months to one year. Massoudi, a former advisor to Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, was charged with “defaming” the army and “undermining senior officials in the military”, over his declarations regarding the army's role in the extradition process of Muammar Gaddafi's Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmoud from Tunisia to Libya.
Nepali Citizen Arrested in the UK for Alleged War Crimes
The UK Police has used Universal jurisdiction law to arrest a Nepali army colonel residing in the in East Sussex town of the UK. He has been accused of torturing during the decade-long (1996-2006) civil war in Nepal.
Row over 3rd Generation Contraceptive Pills in France
The “new” pills are not without risks. The risk of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism is increased two fold, from 2 to 4 accidents per 10,000 users. This increase might seem low in terms of public health but it is significant at the individual level considering the fact that other satisfactory alternatives are...
A Consensus for Political Reform in China
Yanhuang Chunqiu[zh], a political journal within the Chinese Communist Party, has published a bold “New Year Greeting” in its latest edition. The article, titled “The Constitution is a Consensus for Political Reform,” argues that China’s Constitution already lays out the priorities to be addressed in carrying out political reform.CHINA MEDIA...
Mauritanian Women Speak up against Rape
A group of Mauritanian women launched an initiative against rape and all other forms of violence against women in their country. Entitled “Etkelmi or Speak up” [ar and fr], this campaign aims according the blog “Al Tasfera” [ar] to break the wall of silence surrounding rape and encourage victims to demand their...