Stories about Law from December, 2014
Protests, Blackouts, and a Bill of Rights for the Internet: Advox in 2014
In 2014, the Global Voices Advox team covered more stories than ever before. From Egypt to Ethiopia to Tajikistan to Turkey, our authors wrote what they saw on the ground, on the Internet, in court and behind bars. Here are some highlights from this incredible year of advocacy for free...
With Protesters Under Threat, Hong Kong Must Increase Transparency on Personal Data Requests
Protester arrests highlighted the opaque practices under which the city's law enforcement agencies and online service providers handle Internet user data.
New Protest Facebook Page Already in Place as Kremlin Moves Navalny Verdict Forward
As thousands of Russians joined a January 15 protest against the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Navalny, the court suddenly moved the verdict announcement to tomorrow, December 30.
Will Death of Cartoonist Prompt Introduction of Better Traffic Laws in Bermuda?
A beloved Bermudian political cartoonist dies after being struck by a motorist's car while on his way to deliver his latest drawing to the newspaper where he worked. The Beach Lime blog notes that “the Corporation of Hamilton speedily acted to move the pedestrian crossing away from the roundabout, in...
New Taxes in Macedonia Send Freelancers and Part-Time Workers Into the Streets
In a country where unemployment sits at nearly 29 percent, freelancing and working part-time is all that's available to many people.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
Washington's $60 Million for Russian Democracy Promotion Is ‘Essentially a Recommendation’
A source in Washington says, “The authorization language is essentially a recommendation, and we’re not expecting it to result in any new appropriations for Russian media or civil society.”
Thousands to Attend Unsanctioned Protest Outside Kremlin Against Putin-Critic's Verdict
Whether it takes place on January 14 or 15, the demonstration promises a conflict with Moscow police, as its organizer isn’t planning to ask the government's permission.
Murder of LGBTQ Activist Renews Venezuela’s Human Rights Debate
The murder of Giniveth Soto, a gender-equality activist, has launched at least two major, nationwide public debates about urban violence and threats same-sex couples face in Venezuela.
Cuba: More Money Means More Technology, With or Without State Reforms
What Wednesday's changes mean for Internet access and mobile telephony in Cuba? There are a few things we can glean from what both leaders have said—and haven’t said—so far.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.
The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Hong Kong Police's Arrest of Teen ‘Shopping’ Protesters Sparks Concern
Human rights activists worry that Hong Kong police are targeting minors participating in "shopping" pro-democracy protests. Young activists may not be aware of their legal rights.
Serbia Arrests 11 Foreign Human Rights Activists Ahead of Protest
Amnesty International has requested that Serbian authorities release eleven activists from Bulgaria, Finland, and Slovakia who were in Serbia to hold peaceful protests during the CEE-China Summit in Belgrade.
Murdered Teen’s Father Rallies Support for ‘Tijana’s Law’ on Serbian Social Media
After the murder of 15-year-old Tijana Jurić, citizens are pushing the Serbian government to adopt a law that would allow police to search for missing minors immediately and more efficiently.
‘Spain Is a Corruptocracy': Netizens Slam Google News Tax
News aggregator Google News has announced the shutdown of its Spanish subsidiary starting December 16, 2014 due to the tax imposed by the new Intellectual Property Law.
Does the Caribbean Have a Rape Culture?
Is Caribbean society doing everything it can to protect women from rape? Some activists have had enough with the region's passive acceptance of a rape culture.
Behind Prison Walls, Violence Against Women Is Often Ignored in Argentina
Women in lockup in Argentina face humiliating searches, lack of prison amenities in comparison with men, poor health care, and a lack of interpreters if they don't speak Spanish.
Serbian Government Agency Publishes Personal Data of Over 5 Million Citizens
A link from the official website of the Privatization Agency of the Republic of Serbia began circulating on social networks in early December 2014. The link led to 19 gigabytes of text files on the agency's site that revealed the personal information of over 5 million Serbian citizens who had...
After Grozny Gun Battle, Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya Under Attack
Joint Mobile Group is one of Chechnya's last remaining human rights organizations. If it's forced from the republic, the loss to the local population would be difficult to exaggerate.