Stories about Human Rights from April, 2015
Netizen Report: “When You Took Their Freedom, You Hurt Us All” #FreeZone9Bloggers
As we mark the anniversary of the arrest of our colleagues in Ethiopia, mobile signals drop amid protest in Guatemala and the US congress reconsiders "Aaron's Law".
VIDEO: The World is Saying #FreeZone9Bloggers
Global Voices marks the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Ethiopia's Zone9 bloggers with this crowd-sourced this video of support. Say it with us: #FreeZone9Bloggers!
A Year After Their Arrest, Ethiopia's Zone9 Bloggers Remain Strong and Determined
"It is eery the degree to which the bloggers seemed to anticipate their current fate."
“Take the Right Side in the Struggle of the Oppressed”: A Letter to John Kerry from Kilinto Prison, Ethiopia
In a letter to John Kerry, jailed Ethiopian blogger Natnael Feleke writes: "Because of the repressive regime, the Ethiopian constitution is powerless to protect citizens from being abused."
Angola: Award-Winning Journalist Faces Trial Over ‘Blood Diamonds’ Investigation
Jonathan McCully contributed to this report. Last month, Rafael Marques de Morais was awarded the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Journalism for his “impactful, original, and unwavering investigative journalism” in his home country of Angola. Tomorrow, he will face trial on multiple charges of criminal defamation because of...
Singaporean Teenager Arrested for Making Videos Deemed ‘Offensive’
"Apart from the problems of using handcuffs on minors, is this really a proportional response to a YouTube video?"
Syrian Blogger Stabbed in His Istanbul Home After Receiving Threats Online
Threatened online by different Syrian factions, Global Voices author Asaad Hanna was last night stabbed four times in his home in Istanbul, Turkey. He is now recovering.
How Blogging is Held Hostage by Ethiopian Politics
"Why is there just a single—and poorly functioning—Internet service provider for Ethiopia’s 90 million people? We know better than to ask this of public officials."
The Elephant at the Global Conference for Cyberspace
Last week, the Dutch capital of government, the Hague hosted “Cyberspace Week”, an international event intended to prioritize discussions about security, safety, and Internet policy at large. All the while, a giant blow-up elephant stood nearby in the city's Plein neighbourhood, a cheeky symbol of the giant “elephant in the room” that is mass...
Tanzania's Cyber Crime Bill Gives More Power to Police, Less to People
Leading opponents of the legislation from civil society say they will take the government to court if the president signs the bill into law.
Digital Citizen 2.7
Digital Citizen is a biweekly review of news, policy, and research on human rights and technology in the Arab World.
Google Denies Russian Media Claims on Data Localization Move
Google representatives have denied Russian media reports that Google was bowing to Russia's demands and moving to store Russian users' data on servers inside the country, calling them "inaccurate."
Malaysia’s New Law Targets Online Sedition
"This latest curtailment of freedom of expression further restricts public discourse and will create a void in Malaysian social media and a deafening silence in news forums."
Turkey Blocks Twitter, YouTube, Scores of Websites After Prosecutor’s Killing
After photos of public prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz with a gun pointed to his head began circulating on Twitter, hundreds of news sites and social networks were blocked.
Thailand’s New Security Law ‘Annihilates Freedom of Expression’
Thailand's military-backed government lifted martial law in the country but signed a new order which gave broad powers to army personnel.
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Arrested Again for Tweets
Leading Bahraini human rigts activist Nabeel Rajab was arrested from his home today, allegedly over tweets he shared on the microblogging site regarding the situation of prisoners in Jaw Prison.
Netizen Report: Two Bangladeshi Bloggers Assassinated for Critical Speech
Egypt calls for "safer" Internet policies, China’s Cyberspace Administration bans “wife-swapping” stories, and thuggery abounds.
