25 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
The BBC and Facebook websites have been partially blocked. The news comes just a month after the authorities began installing tracking software on publicly accessible computers in Vietnam. The software is designed to track user’s activity for 30 days. Local reports suggest that the software has been installed to monitor the number of people accessing digital content discussing democracy, justice, peace and freedom, issues which are counter to the political objectives of the communist state. Internet users in Ho Chi Minh City told the Asia News agency that the government was attempting to block all “radical” sites.
25 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
A Tirana court has ordered Albania’s Top Channel TV to pay €400,000 compensation to Ylli Pango, the former Minister of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sport after broadcasting hidden camera footage of him, asking a female job applicant to remove her clothes. Investigative programme, Fiks-Tarif, had sent undercover reporters to investigate allegations that, whilst in office, Pango was offering employment in return for sexual favours. When giving judgement, the court said they found in favour of Pango because the recordings had been obtained illegally.
25 Jun 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Lawyer and human rights activist Muhannad al-Hassani was sentenced to three years in prison by the Damascus Criminal Court on Wednesday 23 June. Having publicly called for the immediate release of political prisoners and condemned their unfair trials, al-Hassani was convicted of “weakening national sentiment” and “conveying within Syria false news that could debilitate the morale of the nation”. In May 2010, al-Hassani was the winner of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award in recognition of his human rights work. An appeal is being considered.
16 Jun 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, News and features
On 13 June, Cairo security forces arrested 32 demonstrators, angry at alleged police involvement in the death of activist Khaled Mohammed Said. Clashes broke out outside the Egyptian Interior Ministry, where around 200 protestors gathered to argue that Said, who was outspoken about police corruption, had been tortured to death by undercover officers. Human Rights Organisations, including Amnesty International, have expressed concern at Said’s death. However the police deny any involvement, claiming that he died of a drug overdose, consumed prior to their arrival.
