Bytes for All (B4A)

Articles by Bytes for All (B4A)

Pakistani activists rally to condemn the "disappearance" of human rights activist Salman Haider, in Karachi, 9 January 2017, AP Photo/Fareed Khan

Monthly round-up: Attacks on secular voices, transgender and land rights in Asia

In January: “Disappeared” bloggers, activist in Pakistan; LGBT community rights threatened in Indonesia; new independent outlets in Hong Kong; activists see no justice in Cambodia.

Pallbearers carry the body of Faisal Arefin Deepan, a publisher of secular books, during his funeral in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1 November 2015. Deepan was hacked to death and three other people wounded in attacks in Bangladesh's capital that were claimed by Muslim radicals., A.M. Ahad

Religious fundamentalism restricts space for free expression in Asia, report finds

“Cases of violations studied in the report are a result of state and non-state action in the name of defending religion. Ironically, these restrictions on free speech in fact violate freedom of religion,” says the author of the report.

Pallbearers carry the body of Faisal Arefin Deepan, a publisher of secular books, during his funeral in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1 November 2015. Deepan was hacked to death and three other people wounded in attacks in Bangladesh's capital that were claimed by Muslim radicals., A.M. Ahad

Religious fundamentalism restricts space for free expression in Asia, report finds

“Cases of violations studied in the report are a result of state and non-state action in the name of defending religion. Ironically, these restrictions on free speech in fact violate freedom of religion,” says the author of the report.

Imprisoned journalist Faisal Hayyat

Bahrain must cease judicial harassment of Faisal Hayyat and other Bahraini journalists

48 human rights organizations have signed a letter asking King Hamad to cease its judicial harassment of human rights defenders and its violation of their right to freedom of expression.

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Wikimedia

Parliament must defend health of Turkish democracy

Over 40 organisations call for Turkey’s national assembly to end the national state of emergency, extended for three months on October 19th.

A man explores social media on a computer at an internet club in Islamabad, 11 August 2016, REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

Pakistan’s cyber crime law set to raise havoc

“Too little too late” from opposition parties as new law is set to criminalize dissent of all types.

Bahrain must end reprisals and harassment of human rights defender Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman

IFEX members call on the Government of Bahrain to stop the and judicial harassment and reprisals against Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman.

Bytes for All

“Troubling” state of cyberspace in Pakistan, finds new report

Bytes for All, Pakistan, has raised concern over the declining state of fundamental rights in online spaces highlighting the government’s strategy of fighting terrorism by infringing upon civil liberties.