Stories from 12 February 2012
Iran: MP blames internet filtering as ‘annoying’
Iranian lawmaker, Ahmad Tavakoli blames [fa] increased Internet censorship in Iran as ‘annoying for people’. He adds it ‘would cost heavy for the establishment’. He believes severe filtering would encourage citizens to use anti-filter and circumvention tools. Several Iranian users have reported in last few days they have had no...
Thailand: “Reform the World’s Harshest Lèse Majesté Law”
Several groups, scholars, and activists in Thailand are demanding the amendment of Article 112 of the country’s Criminal Code or the lese majeste law, which forbids anyone from insulting the King and members of the Royal Family. The issue has sparked debates on whether it's time to reform this controversial law.
Palestine: Rare Photographs of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948
Blogger Iqbal Tamimi posts rare photographs of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948.
Saudi Arabia: Qatif Protestor Shot
On Twitter, Arab Revolution shares a link to a video allegedly showing a Saudi protester in Qatif getting shot. The video is dated February 9.
Jordan: The Gay Husband
The Arab Observer, from Jordan, posts a letter he got from a reader who discovered that her husband was gay.
Saudi Arabia: Fate of Journalist Hamza Kashgari Hangs in the Balance
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari set off a social media firestorm last week when he tweeted an imaginary conversation with the Prophet Mohammed, causing the young man to flee the country in the face of threats. Now, social media users debate Kashgari's fate as he faces extradition from Malaysia.
Yemen: A Year of an Unfinished Revolution
Yemenis mark the first anniversary of their unfinished peaceful revolution to overthrow the Ali Abdullah Saleh dictatorship, which continues to pull the shots, thanks to support from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the approval of the US and UN. Netizens share their views.
Afghanistan: Civilian conflict deaths continue to rise
Nick Fielding reports that, according to figures from the United Nations – in contrast to the figures issued by the US military – the number of Afghan civilians killed and injured rose for the fifth consecutive year in a row.
Uzbekistan: Security Service Threatens Jizzakh Youth Activists
Nathan Hamm reports that two young natives of Uzbekistan residing in the United States and working as officers at Awareness Projects International (a non-profit engaging in human rights education work in Uzbekistan and elsewhere) were summoned to the police for interrogation, when they returned to their hometown of Jizzakh in...
Kazakhstan: Uzbek labor migrants survival
Camilla tells the story of Uzbek labor migrants in Kazakhstan, who were illegally trafficked – apparently, via channels, supervised by the officials – to work as slaves.
Kyrgyzstan: Street art in Bishkek
Schwartz takes a walk around Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, offering photographs of graffiti, taken in March 2011.
Myanmar: Banknotes of Burma
Min Sun Min writes about the modern history of Myanmar by documenting the banknotes issued for Burma.
Thailand: “The Purple People Toilet”
Richard Barrow uploads a photo of the ‘Purple People Toilet’ in Thailand. It's a toilet for those who belong to the “Third Sex” or in Thailand they are often called “Lady Boys”
Panama: The Indigenous Leader Who Took on the Government
Amidst Panama's current crisis is a woman who has emerged as the standard bearer of the indigenous struggle: Silvia Carrera who, after being the first woman elected to the position of cacique or tribal chief, has risen up firmly against the mining intentions of the current government.
Macedonia: British MEP Tweets His Emergency Landing at Skopje Airport
A drama in the air over the Skopje airport received an immediate reflection via Twitter, after a successful emergency landing. Filip Stojanovski reports.
Portugal: Protests Against ACTA
On February 11, more than 200 cities around the world joined the global protests against ACTA. In Portugal, around 300 people demonstrated on the streets of Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Viseu and Braga, following the calls that had been organized via Facebook.
Bulgaria: Thousands Take Part in Anti-ACTA Protests
Hundreds of anti-ACTA protests took place all over Europe for Saturday, February 11. Bulgaria was no exception: thousands of protesters braved cold in Sofia and 14 other Bulgarian cities and towns. Even though much remains to be done, these rallies have shown a breach in the Bulgarians' apathy wall.
