Stories about Human Rights from February, 2014
Photos: A Message to the World from #AB14
Photographer and human rights advocate Amer Sweidan took a series of portraits at last month's Arab Bloggers Meeting. In this brief essay, he describes the collaborative process of the project.
#AB14: If I speak out, will I be punished for it?
Focusing on policies for the digital realm seems strange in a region where dissent and even fact-based reporting, whether they happen online or offline, so often have profound real-life consequences.
Hong Kong Police Made Thousands of Personal Data Requests With No Judicial Oversight
In 2013, the Hong Kong Police Force made 7,462 requests for user data under the pretext of "crime investigation", yet the process was not monitored by any judicial bodies.
Digital Surveillance in Angola and Other “Less Important” African Countries
Detection of malware in Africa's largest countries seems to be of ongoing interest to researchers. But what about those countries that are "less important" on the global stage?
Venezuela: The Internet Goes Dark in Táchira
"In Táchira we're without Internet, water, light, food, gasoline..." Live tweeting from what many are calling the "militarized" state of Táchira, where the currently raging protests began.
Xu Zhiyong and the Long Road for China's Human Rights Activists
Oiwan Lam argues that the conviction of human rights activist Xu Zhiyong, a pioneer of civic organizing online, is emblematic of the new era of government repression towards Chinese activists.
Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Cyber Libel Law
The Philippine Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of an online libel policy, disappointing and angering media freedom advocates
Collecting Data About Possible Web Censorship in Venezuela
Global Voices authors are crowdsourcing information about web blocking Venezuela -- and they need your help!
Sudan: Blogger Remains in Detention for Criticizing Presidents
Tajeldin Arja was arrested at a press conference last December, after he criticized the Sudanese and Chadian Presidents for their actions surrounding the conflict in Darfur.
Love in the Time of Code Era: A Poem About Secure Communication
"It's been a year you first whispered in my ear that PGP is of no use anymore."
Venezuela: Protests Leave Three Dead as Threats to Media Escalate
Venezuelan citizens took to the streets to demand the release of student protester arrested in previous demonstrations concerning public safety and food shortages. Media organizations covering the protests are facing...
February 11: Activists Say No to “Cyber Martial Law”, Digital Surveillance in Philippines
On Feburary 11, Filipino activists and netizen groups renewed their opposition to the anti-cybercrime law which they described as a "dangerous measure that would legitimize cyber martial law in the...
Brazilian Activists Fight Back Against Mass Surveillance
As the world comes together to take a stand against mass surveillance on February 11, 2014, Brazilian citizens, organizations and collectives are bringing momentum to #TheDayWeFightBack campaign.
Privacy vs. Free Speech? Questioning the Conflict
"In the Arab world...we are still struggling to have our voices heard. I cannot accept the idea that the fight has now moved to the area of surveillance and away...
Iran on the Day to End Mass Surveillance
On the "Day We Fight Back", one digital rights group urges the world not to forget that pervasive surveillance has long been part of everyday life in Iran.
The Day We Fight Back, à la Française
After Edward Snowden's leaks became public, France's practices of Internet surveillance soon appeared in plain sight. This Tuesday, French citizens will join the global effort to stop mass government surveillance.
February 11: The Internet Says No to Mass Surveillance
On February 11, people all over the world will come together to take a stand against mass surveillance. Anyone, anywhere can participate -- whether you're taking to the streets, or...
Some Kazakh Bloggers Dine With Mayor, Some Get Jail Terms
Three Kazakh bloggers have been sentenced to 10 days in jail for protesting outside a restaurant where a mayor was meeting with other local bloggers.
Indonesia: Twitter Defamation Case Casts Shadow on Media Landscape
Media freedom advocates call for a revision of Indonesia's 'draconian' Internet law after a local Twitter celebrity was found guilty of defaming a politician.
Four Months in Jail and Counting for Algerian Blogger Who Criticized President
Algerian blogger Abdelghani Aloui has been in prison since September 2013. His charge? Posting on Facebook photos and caricatures deemed offensive to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
