· February, 2011

Stories about Human Rights from February, 2011

Bahrain: Protests Block National Assembly Building

Anti government protesters on Monday morning blocked the National Council building where both Parliament and the Shura (Consultative) Councils hold their weekly sessions. The reason for the protest in front of the National Assembly is to topple the bicameral system in addition to the protesters' other demands for a new constitution and the toppling of the regime.

28 February 2011

Haiti: Preventable Suffering

“The earthquake did not kill people. Bad buildings killed people. Lack of medical care killed people. Lack of infrastructure killed people. Lack of caring government officials kill[s] people”: Dying in...

28 February 2011

Trinidad & Tobago: The Death Penalty

“Faced with a major problem with serious crime in Trinidad & Tobago, the current government is ( rather predictably) pushing for the reimplementation of the death penalty”: Globewriter is heartened...

28 February 2011

Cuba: Watching from Within

“There has not [been] enough coverage or information to even begin to address the complexity of these events and the numberless perspectives interpreting them”: Graham Sowa blogs at Havana Times...

28 February 2011

Singapore: Human rights record

Spotlight on Singapore compares the human rights record of Singapore with Hong Kong and comments that Singapore is trailing in the area of political freedom.

28 February 2011

Oman: Protests Continue in Sohar

The waves of Arab revolt have reached the shores of Oman as hundreds of Omanis take to the streets in calls for reform and the end of corruption in different areas across the Sultanate. The killing of protesters by riot police sparked more anger - as protesters burned property in retaliation.

28 February 2011

Libya: “The only thing we want is our freedom” (Audio)

Sunday, February 27 brought another day of bloodshed in Libya, as an uprising against Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi's 40-year rule continued into the 11th day. Phone calls with Libyans that have been shared online and translated, show that citizens are still struggling with even basic security.

28 February 2011

Azerbaijan: Great People's Day

Activists in Azerbaijan have opened a Facebook page, 11 March – Great People's Day in Azerbaijan / 11 Mart – Böyük Xalq Günü, to attract support for their plans to...

27 February 2011

Azerbaijan: Join Us

Pro-opposition activists in the Armenian Diaspora are starting to use rap music to communicate their message ahead of next week's demonstration in Yerevan while youth movements in Azerbaijan have long...

27 February 2011

Armenia: Homophobia as propaganda?

Unzipped: Gay Armenia, one of two blogs written by Mika Artyan, comments on remarks by a major opposition politician linking emigration to homosexuality ahead of this week's rally to call...

27 February 2011

Bangladesh: Clinical Trial Of A Cholera Vaccine Raises Questions

The world's largest trial of a cheap oral cholera vaccine made by an Indian pharmaceutical company is being conducted in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Bloggers notice the information blackout in local media and raise several questions regarding the clinical trial.

26 February 2011

China: Jasmine Revolution, Week Two

Following dozens of arrests since an anonymous blog post called for revolutionary gatherings in cities across China last Sunday, a second round of gatherings is scheduled for today. Has the heavy-handed government response turned what many insist was a stunt into something more powerful?

26 February 2011

Yemen: “I beg you to help us NOW”

While much of Yemen protested peacefully, the country's military used tear gas and fired live weapons on protesters in the sea port of Aden. President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the demonstrations had been hijacked by separatists. But those on the ground claim non-violent protesters were shot and killed.

26 February 2011

Bahrain: Minor Ministerial Changes

Ministerial changes were announced in Bahrain last night to appease protesters calling for reforms since February 14. Here are reactions to the changes, which are yet to be officially announced.

26 February 2011

Cameroon: Police Use Brute Force Against Protesters

Opposition groups in Cameroon organized protests on Wednesday Wednesday, February 23, 2011 to call for President Paul Biya to leave office. President Paul Biya, who is running for re-election later this year, has been in power for 28 years. Paul Biya's Special Intervention Brigade crushed the protest with brute force.

26 February 2011