Democracy Digest » Bloggers

Dissident blogger Ali Abdulemam’s escape from Bahrain

Demdigest — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:35:09 +0000

After more than two years in hiding, Ali Abdulemam (right), a globally renowned blogger and free-speech advocate, has been freed from the Kingdom of Bahrain, writes Thor Halvorssen, president of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation. Abdulemam is now safely …

UN experts criticize Russian NGO law: Kremlin ‘paradigm shift’ to arbitrary police power

Demdigest — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:57:49 +0000

Russia should revise a law that is having “obstructive, intimidating and stigmatizing effects” on the country’s non-governmental organizations, three United Nations experts said today. The report coincides with growing concern that a former Kremlin ideologue’s resignation signals that the regime …

Social media fuel civil challenge to China’s ruling party?

Demdigest — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:43:34 +0000

Last month’s deadly earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province may have generated political as well as geological seismic shocks that could ultimately present a “fundamental threat” to the ruling Communist party, analysts suggest.

“The rapid grass-roots response to the …

Saudi Arabia: new rights group faces harassment

Michael Allen — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:50:14 +0000

“Four Saudi activists are under investigation after forming a human rights group on April 3, 2013, and could face prosecution for ‘establishing an illegal organization,’ Human Rights Watch said today:

Saudi authorities should immediately cease harassing the four founding …

Pakistan’s General Elections 2013: Stakes and Prospects

Demdigest — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:40:04 +0000

Pakistan’s forthcoming elections will be “severely compromised” unless the interim government takes measures to ensure the safety of candidates and party activists threatened by the Taliban and other militant groups, according to a new report.

On May 11, 2013, …

Free Press – The Cornerstone of Democracy

Demdigest — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:17:57 +0000

“Today marks two decades since the United Nations General Assembly designated May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to celebrate press freedom and raise awareness about threats to media independence around the world,” write Jill Moss and Mark Koenig from …

Underground networks changing Cuba, says dissident, as autocrats endorse regime

Demdigest — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:52:38 +0000

“A thriving underground social media network is challenging the Communist government’s grip on power and information in Cuba and beginning to bring change, a leading dissident said on Thursday,” Reuters reports:

“There is a network of clandestine information, the …

Anwar raises voter fraud fears ahead of Malaysia poll

Demdigest — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:27:37 +0000

“Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (right) said on Thursday that tens of thousands of ‘dubious’ voters may have been flown in to key states to boost the government’s chances in this weekend’s election,” Reuters reports:

He accused the government …

Cuba’s dissidents need assistance, says Ladies in White leader

Demdigest — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:03:37 +0000

“The leader of Cuba’s dissident Ladies in White today called for maintaining the U.S. trade embargo and limiting travel to the island until the Raúl Castro government respects human rights,” The Miami Herald reports:

Berta Soler acknowledged …

After Boston: will Russia get a ‘free pass on human rights’?

Demdigest — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:49:17 +0000

“The close cooperation between Moscow and Washington on the Boston bombing investigation raises new questions about the issue of human rights in Russia,” says analyst Amy Knight:

Will the US government now turn a blind eye to Russia’s increasingly …