Human Rights Watch

A government spokesperson recently proclaimed the importance of women in Chinese society; but the detention of 10 women’s rights activists on this year’s holiday tells a different story.

The draft Law on Public Security would limit when and where protests may take place, and impose steep fines on those who hold spontaneous protests.

The bill aims to ban the dissemination of any information promoting “non-traditional sexual relations” or “homosexual lifestyles” in a “positive” way. It would apply to the press, television, radio, and the Internet, as well as to public assemblies.

A thorough and impartial investigation is needed, but early signs aren’t encouraging.

Since November 2014, Ansar Allah, a northern armed group, has taken effective control of Sanaa and other areas which sparked protests on January 25 and the days leading up to February 11, the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising.

Prominent blogger Alex Au Wai Pang faces a fine and imprisonment when he is sentenced on 5 March.

Algerian courts have sentenced nine labor rights activists to prison since late January 2015 for engaging in peaceful protests to support unemployed workers.

Jordan’s State Security Court sentenced a senior opposition figure on February 15, 2015, to 18 months in prison for criticizing the United Arab Emirates (UAE).