Stories from 24 September 2012
Kyrgyzstan: Court Bans Anti-Islam Film
The recent ban on the anti-Islam film 'Innocence of Muslims' in Kyrgyzstan has triggered lively debates among the country's internet users. While some netizens support the ban on the "offensive"...
Iran Blocks Access to Google and Gmail
Iran has blocked Google and Gmail from the Internet for nearly all users, allegedly to protest against an anti-Islam film on YouTube. Others say it's part of a plan to...
Internet Activa: A Course on Digital Rights and Civil Liberties
With the sponsorship of Google and the support of the organization Red Pa Todos, the Karisma foundation has launched Internet Activa, "an open, [free], and digital online course aimed at...
Saudi Arabia: Families of Uncharged Prisoners Protest on National Day
Imprisonment without charges is the top human rights issue in Saudi Arabia. Families of uncharged prisoners, estimated to be around 30,000 detainees, took the risk to raise awareness about the...
Iran: New Wave of Repression Against Bloggers
Several bloggers are facing renewed attacks by government authorities, including jail time and physical attacks. Here are updates on four different bloggers whose challenges appear to keep growing.
Trinidad & Tobago: Continuing Fallout from Section 34
The fallout from Section 34 and the firing of Justice Minister Hubert Volney continues to be discussed via social media, with netizens weighing in on the (in)adequacy of the Prime...
Peru: Hydrocarbons Exploration Threatens Iquitos’ Water
The amazonian city of Iquitos, strategically located on the banks of three rivers and blessed with a tropical weather with copious rainfall, shouldn't have problems with the drinking water supply....
Mauritania: March to Commemorate the Passing of Rights Activist
Civil rights organisation Touche pas à ma nationalité TPMN ( in English: Do not interfere with my citizenship) has called for a large march to commemorate the passing of anti-racism...
Japan: Citizens Respond to New Nuclear Power Policies
Individuals with vested interests in nuclear power have been named to lead a regulatory commission of the Japanese government that will play crucial role in determining whether to phase out...
United States: Occupy Wall Street, One Year Later
September 15-17 2012 marked the first year anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Scenes that took place during the inception of the movement repeated themselves: hundreds of arrests were...
Spain: Catalans Continue to Push for Independence
Since last Tuesday saw the largest pro-Catalan independence rally in the region's history, pro-independence activists have continued to pressure politicians to match rhetoric with swift action. Read an overview of...
Myanmar: Cheers and Jeers for Peace Day Rally
Despite threats from the police, various groups in Myanmar staged peaceful actions to celebrate the International Day of Peace last September 21. The participants demanded an end in the civil...
Brazil: Misogynistic ‘Humor’ in MTV-Sponsored Blog
A complaint was filed against the blog Testosterone, a blog sponsored by MTV Brazil that constantly posts misogynistic content. Now, online campaigns are calling for MTV to end the partnership...
Singapore: Charity Group Targets Poor Children in Laos and Vietnam
A group of seven professional Swedish women based in Singapore have formed the charity organization Together for Charity. Today, the group gathers donations to support an orphanage in Laos and...