Stories about Human Rights from March, 2016
Chinese Police Tear Families Apart Over Letter That Demanded President's Resignation
An open letter urging China President Xi Jinping to resign has triggered a rash of political persecution against the family members of Chinese dissidents living abroad. Germany-based writer and Deutsche Welle reporter Chang Ping reported on March 27 that police in China burst into his father's birthday celebration and detained…
#Justice4Morocco: Human Rights Defenders’ Trial Postponed Again
Among those charged is Hicham Khribchi aka Hisham Almiraat, a medical doctor and long-time member of the Global Voices community.
China Shuts Down Communist Party News Site, Arrests 20 Over Call for Xi Jinping's Resignation
Though the letter was only online for a few hours, it is viewed as a direct challenge to Xi Jinping's leadership from party insiders.
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."
Netizens Mock Mark Zuckerberg's Love Affair with China
"Mark, you have six people in your running team. Did you apply for authorisation to run on the street? If not, this is illegal in China."
#WhereisBassel: Imprisoned Syrian Technologist Is Still Missing
Five months ago, Syrian web developer Bassel Khartabil disappeared from a Damascus prison, where he had spent four years since his 2012 arrest. Join supporters and ask: #WhereisBassel?
Bahrain Arrests Activist Zainab Al Khawaja Along with her One-Year-Old Baby
Bahrain arrested human rights activist Zainab Al Khawaja along with her 15-month-old toddler. The arrest comes on the fifth anniversary of the arrival of Saudi troops to crush pro-democracy protests.
Kurdish Reporter Faces Jail Time in Turkey for Twitter and Facebook Posts
Turkish authorities increasingly "conflate coverage of banned groups and investigation of sensitive topics with outright terrorism or other anti-state activity."
A Mexican Public Servant Is Using Periscope to Expose Lawbreakers, but Not Everyone Approves
"I’m in favor! The root of our problem is that corruption and illegality are socially accepted. Periscope encourages a change in mindset."
Netizen Report: Facebook VP Arrested in Brazil for Refusing to Give Police WhatsApp Data
A Facebook executive is arrested in Brazil, Bolivia’s President says he wants to regulate social networks, and China shuts down 580 social media accounts for “misleading the public”.
Graphic Artists Launch Online Poster Campaign to ‘Free the Media’ in Malaysia
"We feel that the time has come for Malaysians to demand for media and internet freedom in light of the latest assault on freedom of speech in Malaysia."
