Stories about Advocacy from December, 2013
Happy New Year from Team Advox!
Wishing our writers, readers, and the entire Global Voices community a happy and peaceful 2014.
Syrian Cartoonist Akram Raslan Reportedly Killed by Regime
Uncertainty continues over the fate of Syrian cartoonist Akram Raslan, winner of the Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning for 2013, arrested in October 2012 by the Assad regime.
Non-Violent Activist Razan Zaitouneh Kidnapped in Syria
Four activists, among them internationally acclaimed non-violent activist Razan Zaitouneh, were kidnapped by unidentified masked gunmen, sparking a call for their immediate release.
Spain: Public Safety Bill or Threat to Civil Rights?
A new "anti-protest" bill in Spain could prohibit calling for protests via the Internet, circulating riot images during demonstrations, and "violence against street furniture."
Controversy Smolders Over Japan's State Secrecy Bill
An unusually diverse range of groups are making urgent last-minute appeals against Japan's State Secrecy Protection Bill. Meanwhile, a ruling party leader compared protesters to "terrorists".
UN Experts Condemn Detention of Vietnamese Blogger Le Quoc Quan
Le Quoc Quan was arrested in December 2012 on trumped-up charges of tax evasion -- but experts suspect that the "real purpose" of his detention and prosecution was to silence Quan, who is an active human rights advocate.
