Stories about Human Rights from June, 2013
“Advocacy,” yes, that is what we do
Pilar Sáenz, trained physicist and now software and free culture activist, comments on the concept of "advocacy" for digital rights in Colombia and describes the creation and achievements of RedPaTodos, a Colombian civil society group working to promote a free and open Internet.
Nepali Journalists Arrested for Reporting on College Students’ Sex Lives
Three Nepali journalists were arrested on charges of publishing indecent and defaming content online. Police took them into custody after officials at a public university complained that the journalists had written about female students using eggplants as sex toys.
China: Real Name Registration May Threaten Ethnic Minorities
Under China's new real name registration policy, Internet users are being asked to submit personal information such as their home address, national ID number, and a photograph, in order to register for social media services. A recent case illustrates how some platforms may be using this new information to discriminate against Uyghurs, an ethnic minority group.
Mexico: Advocates Demand Investigation of FinFisher Spyware
Human rights activists and journalists in Mexico are demanding an investigation of the possible use of FinFisher surveillance software in Mexico. Advocates suspect that the software has been used to spy on journalists and activists in the country.
Vietnam: Bloggers Arrested, Accused of Spreading “Anti-State” Propaganda
Three prominent bloggers in Vietnam have been arrested in less than a month. All three are accused of spreading anti-state propaganda.
VIDEO: Experts Speak on Role of Whistleblowers
The revelations of the recent NSA leaks are explosive, but Edward Snowden is not the first whistleblower to leak information to the public about government operations. Oxford-based project Free Speech Debate interviewed several former intelligence professionals and whistleblowers who discussed reasons for and against going public with sensitive information.
Everyone's Rights are at Stake: Global Reach of US Surveillance Programs
Last week's revelations about phone and Internet surveillance programs run by the US government's National Security Agency (NSA) sent shock waves throughout the United States and the western media, but also around the globe. While in the US, many privacy-minded lawmakers and even digital rights advocates used the news as an opportunity to demand better protections for Americans' online privacy, Internet users worldwide were left wondering how to protect their own data in the face of these threats.
Bangladesh Unblocks YouTube After Eight-Month Ban
Bangladesh's telecommunication authorities have unblocked YouTube in Bangladesh after 260 days of restricting access within the country to the video sharing website.
‘Free My Internet’ Movement Rises in Singapore
A new licensing scheme for news websites announced by Singapore's Media Development Authority has been denounced by many as a censorship measure. A group of concerned netizens calling themselves the ‘Free My Internet’ movement has invited the public to join a rally this coming Saturday to demand the withdrawal of the controversial regulation.
