Latest posts by Rezwan
From Internet Blackouts to Violent Attacks, South Asia Saw New Threats to Free Expression Online in 2017
In 2017, South Asian countries faced growing challenges in the field of internet freedom, censorship, and freedom of expression.
Freedom of Expression or ‘Obscene Representation'? The Case Against Indian Cartoonist Bala G
"The incident made me think that my children were burning. I have no words to express my sorrow, so I drew the cartoon out of rage."
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
Mumbai Technologists Are Using TV Spectrum to Bring More Internet Access to India
Poor Internet infrastructure leaves the vast majority of Indians limited to mobile Internet only, making it difficult to engage deeply with Internet technology.
Bangladesh's LGBT Community Launches a Blog Commemorating Slain Activists
"How can I live in this country, where if I were to be killed people would rejoice over a cup of tea that there is one less LGBT person?"
Maldives Blogger and Activist Yameen Rasheed Stabbed to Death
“So-called 'Paradise on Earth' has no public safety for its citizens. Tomorrow, it could be me, you, or any of us," wrote a Facebook user.
A Year of Violence in Bangladesh
Groups linked to ISIS, Ansar Al Islam or Ansarullah Bangla Team have claimed responsibility for violent attacks on intellectuals and regular citizens. What does this mean for the future?
Maldives Authorities Target Journalists After Al Jazeera Exposes $1.5 Billion Corruption Scandal
President Yameen and his associates embezzled millions of dollars, bribed judges and other high-level officials, and used influence to remove government workers who stood in their way.
LGBT Activists Arrested at Bengali New Year March, Later Released
Police held five persons for reportedly suspicious behaviour, alleging that they were trying to initiate a "gay rally".
Secular Activist Targeted and Killed in Bangladesh
The 28-year-old law student was murdered by three assailants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 7, 2016. The young man was most likely targeted for his critiques of religious conservatism.
Maldives Media Crackdown Triggers Forced Newspaper Closure, Journalist Arrests
Riot police used brute force and pepper spray and strip-searched both male and female journalists, who hailed from several local media organizations.
Indian Migrant Worker Arrested in Saudi Arabia For Denouncing Working Conditions on Facebook
"People stuck...in a country where they are treated worse than dogs, for years in very bad conditions, that's the reality 'necessary' for us to fuel our tanks. Infuriating and depressing."
Bangladesh Unblocks All Social Media Services (For Now)
Contradictory statements from authorities have left many Bangladeshis wondering what was behind the ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and other major communications platforms.
Bangladesh Book Publishers Suffer Fatal Attacks in Wake of Blogger Killings
Both publishers had ties with Bangladeshi-American blogger and author Avijit Roy, who was attacked and killed in February 2015.
Bangladesh Police Chief Tells Bloggers, “Don't Cross the Line”
"Those who illogically write against religion in blogs are also extremists," said a high police official.
Maldivians March to Mark Anniversary of Local Journalist's Disappearance
"To demand action and accountability from the state, Rilwan’s well-wishers started the #FindMoyameehaa campaign – the first of its kind in the Maldives."
“No Country For Secular Bloggers”: Niloy Neel is the Fourth Bangladeshi Blogger Killed in 2015
"How many more bloggers must be murdered before the government acts decisively to stem the violence and impunity?"
Ananta Bijoy Das Becomes Third Blogger Killed This Year in Bangladesh
Das promoted critical thinking about religion, which sparked the ire of Islamic hardliners in Bangladesh. He was hacked to death by a group of masked people with machetes.
University Teacher Unpopular with Islamist Hardliners is Killed in Bangladesh
A Facebook group claimed responsibility for hacking to death a university professor. After a few days of receiving abuse reports from users, Facebook took down the page.
SMS Death Threats Stoke Fears on Fate of Abducted Journalist in Maldives
The messages came just before the unexplained disappearance of journalist and democracy advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla.
