Stories about Human Rights from December, 2007
Caucasus: 2007 Blog Review
With 2008 less than a day away at time of writing, it seems only appropriate to take a look back at the blogging highlights in the Caucasus for 2007. Certainly,...
Egypt: Murad and the Freedom of Speech
Judge Murad lost his case and the court ruled in favour of freedom of speech. The Administrative Judicial Court issued a sentence in Case No. 15575 / 61, which was...
Bahrain: Reactions after the riots and arrests
In another special roundup, we have the reactions of Bahrain's bloggers to the events of the last few weeks, when rioting took place after the death of a demonstrator during a commemoration of 'Martyrs' Day', and many were subsequently arrested.
Russia: Holiday Charity (via Egoism)
Russia is embarking on a 10-day national vacation: from Dec. 30 to Jan. 8, the country will be celebrating the New Year's and Orthodox Christmas - and should also have enough time to rest, relax and sober up in between. Charity isn't among the most popular subjects in the Russian blogosphere during the festive season, although some bloggers do discuss ways of helping the poor and needy this year. Below is one blogger's musings on charity and selfishness, as well as a perfectly explicit call to action.
Serbia: “Manufactured Guilt”
Gray Falcon writes that “only by rejecting this manufactured guilt and by understanding who made it and with what purpose can the Serbs begin their path to freedom.”
Nari Jibon: Women bloggers and the dowry problem in Bangladesh
This week we look at some brilliant articles from Nari Jibon’s women bloggers. They discuss the menace of wedding dowries, which make the lives of poor families difficult by forcing parents to consider female children as burdens. Also, one NJ participant dreams of becoming president and changing the present society to an enlightened, educated and dowry-free society.
The Balkans: B92 and Milošević
In a somewhat roundabout way, Alan Jakšić of Balkan Anarchist tells of how B92 radio, site and blogs have helped him to change his mind about Slobodan Milošević.
Nigeria: Oil's Dirty Business
Timbuktu Chronicles writes about the documentary, Delta, Oil's Dirty Business: “Directed by Yorgos Avgeropoulos, “DELTA – Oil's Dirty Business” “…portrays the image of “development”, the way giant multinational petroleum companies...
Cuba: Freedom and Environment
Babalu Blog disagrees with a New York Times article that suggests the ending of the US embargo could mean the end of environmental preservation in Cuba.
Armenia: Corrupt Politics
Martuni or Bust reminds it readers that the former judge now turned radical opposition activist as the February 2008 presidential election in Armenia draws closer has a few skeletons in...
Saudi Arabia: Free Fouad Update
The leading Saudi blogger, Fouad Alfarhan, who has been arrested in Jeddah on December 10, 2007 for exercising his freedom of speech on his popular blog alfarhan.org has sent a letter few days before his arrest to his friends. According to his wife with whom we talked, Fouad's arrest was directly linked to his blogging activities. He may remain in custody for a one-month investigation period.
Poland: Ecology, Coal Mines, Iraq
Our Man in Gdansk comments on the coverage of Poland's ecology, coal mines and involvement in Iraq.
Poland: Simon Mol
The beatroot writes again about Simon Mol, a “Cameroonian ‘refugee’, poet and human rights activist” charged with infecting 12 Polish women with HIV. (Many of the 213 comments to this...
The Baltics: “Borderlands (V)”
There's something to grieve and much to celebrate when the Baltic states join the Schengen, writes Marginalia.
Latvia, Estonia: Valka and Valga
Valka is in Latvia, Valga – in Estonia. Until 1920, they used to be one town, Walk. “The Latvian side faces a back door of an Estonian supermarket.” But, as...
Ukraine: Yanukovych Privatizes State Residence
Ukrainiana translates a video in which Victor Yanukovych is threatening to sue a journalist for questions on murky privatization deal.
Dubai: Sex Slaves Exist
Bahraini Esra'a says slavery isn't a thing of the past and that sex slaves exist in our modern day and age. She also posts related videos which expose the sex...
China: Scrap the death penalty?
Was it New Jersey's undoing of the 1976 reinstatement of capital punishment earlier this month, or the United Nations General Assembly's call for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty...
Taiwan: An Ironic Human Rights Day
In this article, I will carry on the subject from my last article in bringing you information on human rights in Taiwan. Top Ten News on Human Rights The Taiwan...
Saudi Blogger Fouad Al Farhan Arrested in Jeddah
Saudi Arabia added yet another accolade to its freedom of speech record by arresting its first blogger. Fuad Al Farhan, considered by many as being the dean of Saudi bloggers for being among the first to blog in his country using his real name, has been arrested in Jeddah. No further news is available for the reasons for his detention. This is how some of his fellow bloggers reacted to his arrest.
Russia: Kozlovsky's Forced Conscription
Robert Amsterdam's blog follows the story of a Russian youth movement leader's forced conscription to army – here, here and here.
