Stories about Human Rights from July, 2014
“The Zone 9 Bloggers are Writing from the Outer Ring of the Prison, the Nation Itself”
The charges against the bloggers give a sense of what the Ethiopian government is fighting: dissent, not terror.
#FreeZone9Bloggers: Today, We Tweet for Human Rights — and Human Beings
If convicted, they will find themselves in the company of at least eighteen other journalists who have suffered the same fate. All remain in prison today.
Tajik Blogger: “We Must Prove our Professionalism and Close the Case Against Alexander Sodiqov”
Global Voices community member Alexander Sodiqov has been released from jail, but still faces wrongful charges of treason. This blogger - his former student - hopes for Alexander's swift release.
Thai Junta Issues New Gag Order Against Media
A new order from the Thai military government bans "criticism of operations of the [Junta], its officials, or any related individual," among other things.
Israel Struggles to Win “Hearts and Minds” in Media War on Palestine
Israeli social media strategist Niv Calderon is waging a war of words on Palestine. “There is a media war, and each citizen, each computer user, is a soldier,” he says.
Fear, Love and Iran's Favorite Internet Enemy (it's Facebook)
On July 13, eight young Iranians were dealt long prison sentences for their activities on Facebook. Activists both in and outside the country know little more about the case.
Zone 9 Bloggers Charged With Terrorism in Ethiopia
The nine bloggers and journalists, four of them Global Voices members, have rejected the charges and are preparing a defense for their August 8 trial.
The World Shouts #FreeAlexSodiqov During Global Vigil
Global Voices' community member Alexander Sodiqov is not a British spy. And #FreeAlexSodiqov is an international movement. This vigil - a month after his arrest - proves it.
Vietnamese Government ‘Opinion Shapers’ Target Activist Facebook Pages
The Facebook accounts of prominent Vietnamese activists have been suspended after being reported for abuse by suspected government supporters known as 'opinion shapers'.
7 Cases That Prove Online Activism is Under Siege in Saudi Arabia
Learn about Gulf Center for Human Rights efforts to raise awareness about online activists facing harassment and legal challenges in Saudi Arabia.
Blocking Facebook: A Hot New Trend in Southeast Asia?
More and more governments in Southeast Asia are becoming aggressive in their efforts to block Facebook, especially during crisis moments. Netizens should respond by remaining vigilant.
As Rockets Rain on Gaza, Facebook Does Nothing to Stop Hate Speech Against Palestinians
A Facebook page featuring multiple posts in Hebrew calling for violence against Palestinians and Arabs has been active for three weeks.
Saudi Human Rights Lawyer Waleed Abu Al-Khair Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Abu Al-Khair was charged with “insulting general order” and “inflaming public opinion”.
‘The Tajik Government Has Made an Honest Mistake': Scholars in Washington DC Discuss Alexander Sodiqov's Detention (+Audio)
On June 27 scholars gathered at different universities as part of an international discussion on the wrongful arrest and detention of Global Voices community member Alexander Sodiqov in Tajikistan.
