Uganda: the “anti-human rights bill”
The proposed anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda threatens free expression not only for the gay community, but for all says Risdel Kasasira (more…)
Iran: protesters arrested over torn Khomeini picture
Several people have been arrested in Tehran over the tearing up of a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, during anti-government demonstrations last week. State television broadcast footage of what it claimed were opposition supporters tearing up and trampling on a picture of Khomeini during an anti-government student-led demonstration. All of those arrested are currently being held in detention although Iranian authorities have refused to give names or numbers. Read more here
Blogger faces death penalty in Vietnam
Blogger and pro-democracy activist Nguyen Tien Trung is facing the death penalty after being charged with “trying to overthrow the government” and is due to be tried at the end of the month. Trung was arrested in July on a charge of propaganda against the state which related to blogs he had posted including an open letter to the government on education policy. According to his father he is now facing the more serious charge of “subverting the people’s administration”. His supporters believe the charges are intended to intimidate students who are calling for more press freedom. Read more here
Facebook closes Rage Against the Machine no1 group
Social networking site Facebook has apparently closed a group advocating 90s group Rage Against the Machine’s Killing In The Name Of as Christmas number 1 single. The group, which had over 750,000 members, was set up in opposition to TV talent sho The X Factor’s perceived monopolisation of the Christmas chart.
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