Stories from February, 2016
16 February 2016
Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Publisher and Shut Down Book Fair Booth for ‘Hurting Religious Sentiments’
Bangladesh’s constitution enshrines the right to free expression, and atheists have the same rights as other citizens. But authorities have done little to stop attacks against those critical of religion.
A Pakistani Artist Remembers Sabeen Mahmud and her Valentine's Day Campaign
According to one of activist Sabeen Mahmud's killers, her '"un-Islamic" Valentine's Day rally was "the sin she eventually paid for."
13 February 2016
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
A Colombian Official Takes Short-Lived Legal Action Against a Journalist Over His Tweets
"...limitation of freedom of expression must be necessary and proportionate, that is, it must be the only and most effective means, something which is not true in this case."
12 February 2016
An LGBT Blog Is Suspended Over Mention of Cuba’s 1960s-Era Labor Camps
"I honestly hoped it was a technical glitch...I don't know how this 'defames the Revolution,' as the judgment issued to us says."
The Troubling Rise of Internet-Related Arrests in Cambodia
"They do plainly illustrate a deeply troubling trend, whereby those who criticize the political elite are routinely being arrested for expressing their views on social media."
11 February 2016
Kremlin Censor Finally Brings Down the Hammer on the RuNet’s Pluckiest Freedom Advocates
Government censors have blocked the website of Russian digital rights organization RosKomSvoboda for a page with instructions on how to circumvent online censorship and access blocked websites.
Netizen Report: The EU Wrestles With Facebook Over Privacy
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
9 February 2016
“A Good Day for the Internet Everywhere”: India Bans Differential Data Pricing
Indian Telecom Regulatory Authority bans differential data pricing and Facebook's large plans for Free Basics come to an end.
3 February 2016
Netizen Report: From Egypt to Kenya to Venezuela, Online Political Speech Feels Riskier Than Ever
Social media activists face legal threats in Africa and Latin America, Malaysia blocks Medium over corruption coverage, and Saudi pulls back death sentence for Palestinian artist Ashraf Fayadh.
