Stories about Law from January, 2008
Japan: Illegal or Harmful?
Blogger Sakiyama Nobuo, a social activist who has covered the area of web censorship in Japan for many years, early last week responded to a conversation initiated by fellow blogger Minakata Tsukasa on the topic of the regulation of so-called "harmful" websites. The blog entry provides a useful overview of the current state of legal controls on Internet content in Japan, something which may come in handy in the future.
Sudan: Potassium bromide and witchcraft
Andrew Heavens writes about Potassium bromide and witchcraft in Sudan: “Only in Sudan. Sudanese bakery owner fined for using witchcraft in court”
Bahamas, Bermuda: Law Enforcement
“If they can minimize these minor crimes that would be a good start”: Sidney Sweeting at WeblogBahamas.com attends the induction ceremony of the Bahamas’ new Police Commissioner.
Ukraine: Drunk Driving
Over 7,000 people died in car accidents in Ukraine in 2007. President Yushchenko has recently proposed to raise fines for drunk driving to $500, but many Ukrainian "netizens" don't believe it is going to change anything - and here's why.
Russia, Moldova: More on Natalia Morar's Case
More on journalist Natalia Morar's case – at Sean's Russia Blog (plus an interesting discussion in the comments section).
Ukraine: Lutsenko, Chernovetsky, Illegal Land Deals
Ukrainiana offers extensive coverage and analysis of the recent fight between Ukraine's interior minister and Kyiv mayor, and the issue of illegal land deals – here and here.
Morocco: Personal Freedoms
The View From Fez directs us to an ongoing post about certain freedoms in Morocco.
Brazil: Discrepancy in the crime rates after media censorship
Following yesterday's news that the Secretary of Social Defense (SDS) in Pernambuco, Brazil, has decided to stop providing information on violence and crime rates to the press, PE Body Count...
Morocco: Rise of Football Hooliganism
Abdelilah Boukili (Regular Comments on The BBC's Have Your Say) comments upon teenage crime (or the relative lack thereof) and the rise of football hooliganism in Morocco.
Mexico: Drug-Related Violence in Tijuana
Violence between Mexican authorities and members of powerful drug cartels has been erupting all across the country leaving scores dead and a society that often feels helpless. The Mexican government has attempted to curb this escalation in violence by dispatching federal police and soldiers to the areas most affected. Some Mexican bloggers are saddened by this brutal violence, and are often left wondering how to deal with its effects.
Bahamas: Serving Justice
An episode of Law and Order causes Nicolette Bethel to reflect on justice in the Bahamas, particularly in the recent case of the Sea Hauler tragedy.
Brazil: No right to information
“Where is the transparency?”, asks PE Body Count [pt] on learning that the Secretary of Social Defense in Pernambuco, Brazil has decided to stop providing information on violence and crime...
Ukraine: Interview on Prostitution
Natalia Antonova interviews a Ukrainian man on prostitution.
Ukraine: Lutsenko Beats Up Chernovetsky
Ukrainiana writes about “grossly uncivil conduct” of Ukraine's interior minister, who beat up Kyiv's mayor today.
Ukraine: Crimean Politicians
Orange Ukraine writes on how Crimean politicians “are asking for testing of Ukrainian language to be conducted in Russian” – or else they wouldn't let the country's PM enter the...
Russia: Vasily Alexanyan
Robert Amsterdam writes on the plight of Vasily Alexanyan, an imprisoned and gravely-ill former Yukos executive.
Serbia, U.S.: Bobby Fischer
East Ethnia writes about the legacy of chess champion Bobby Fischer, who died today: “Maybe there will be an opportunity now to remember him for what he achieved, less so...
Trinidad & Tobago: Crime & Punishment
“Why do we allow such unworthy men to play with our lives?” Ramblings and Reason blogs about what she calls “the latest political red herring” in Trinidad and Tobago.
Malawi dumps Taiwan for China, media under scrutiny
China's influence in Africa is on the rise. Malawian foreign affairs minister has announced that Malawi has switched its diplomatic relations from Taiwan to Mainland China. Malawian bloggers seem to welcome this move.
Rakhat Aliyev Sentenced
Zhanna Zhukova reports on the decision, announced yesterday by the court in Almaty, Kazakhstan, sentencing Rakhat Aliyev, former presidential son-in-law, to 20 years in jail for organizing of a mafia-type...
Russia, UK: View From BC's Former Employee
Interesting insight into the British Council scandal from Dmitri Minaev of De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis – in this post's comments section at Siberian Light: “These attacks never really stopped,...
