5 Countries Where Your Online Comments Could Land You in Jail

free jabbar savalan facebook page

When you log onto Facebook, you might expect to hear from long-lost friends or to see pictures from the latest family reunion. Maybe you follow Amnesty on Facebook or Twitter, read and comment on this blog, or keep a blog yourself.

But when you log off at the end of the day, you probably don’t expect the police to come knocking on your door. For people in some countries, that’s exactly what can happen. A 2011 study by Freedom House examining 37 countries found that 23 of them had arrested a blogger or internet user for their online posts. These encroachments on internet freedom – regardless of laws – come at a time of explosive growth in the number of internet users worldwide. Governments are clearly terrified because they know that information is power.

Here we highlight five countries and cases (although there are many more than just 5!) where your online activity, no matter how peaceful, can land you in jail:

China: Online activists have long been at risk in China. But following the revolutions in the Middle East earlier this year, government fears of a “Jasmine Revolution” have led to dozens of government critics, lawyers, activists, bloggers, artists and “netizens” arrested or missing since February, some for as little as mentioning ‘Jasmine Revolution’ on Twitter.

Ran YunfeiOne of those activists is Ran Yunfei, a writer and blogger who gained notoriety for his internet “guerrilla” tactics – appearing and disappearing on as many online account names as possible to keep the censors confused. He was held last February on suspicion of “subversion of state power” and later put under “residential surveillance”. Other internet activists remain detained and at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. This massive clampdown shows that the Chinese government is rattled by the example of people’s movements abroad using the internet to fight for their freedoms.

jabbar savalan dislike injustice

Azerbaijan: Authorities in Azerbaijan have a history of using trumped-up charges–from drug possession to tax fraud–to jail those critical of the government. Last February, Jabbar Savalan, took to Facebook calling for protests against the government. Hours after posting, then 19-year-old Jabbar Savalan told his family he was being followed. The next evening, police brought him to a police station where they “discovered” marijuana in his outer coat pocket. Questioning him without a lawyer for two days, police reportedly hit and intimidated him to make him sign a confession.

If there was ever a need for a “Dislike” button on Facebook, this is it. Register your “Dislike” of Jabbar’s imprisonment by signing the petition demanding his freedom. [Update: After thousands of you took action, Jabbar was freed from prison on December 26th!]

Maikel_Nabil_SanadEgypt: Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested last March at his home in Cairo, tried in a military court and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for publicly insulting the army through comments he made on Facebook, and for allegedly spreading lies and rumors about the armed forces on his blog. This wasn’t the first time Sanad was arrested for speaking out online. He was arrested in November 2010 for posting a statement in favor of conscientious objection on his website.

Sanad is one of thousands of Egyptians tried for “political activity” (some for as little as commenting to Facebook!) before military courts since the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Tal al-MallohiSyria: Freedom of speech and association are strictly controlled in Syria. Human rights defenders and government critics face constant harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention. Young people in particular have been targeted in recent years for what they say and do on the internet, including Kareem ‘Arabji who served time in prison for moderating an internet youth forum.  Another person caught up in the crackdown is Tal al-Mallohi, a high school student and blogger sentenced to 5 years in prison for “revealing information to a foreign country.”

Since pro-reform protests began in mid-March the situation has only gotten worse with the government detaining people on even the slightest suspicion of opposition to the government.

Vietnam: Freedom of speech, association and assembly are severely restricted in Vietnam. Dozens of people, including bloggers, lawyers, writers, labor activists, business people, and supporters of opposition groups, are serving long prison terms under legislation which criminalizes peaceful dissent.

Nguyen Hoang HaiTake Nguyen Hoang Hai, co-founder of the independent Free Vietnamese Journalists’ club who has written articles critical of China’s foreign policies with regard to Viet Nam and taken part in peaceful protests. His articles and blog posts led to imprisonment on trumped up charges and how he faces further charges for “conducting propaganda” against the state.

So next time you post something online–a comment on this blog, a status update on Facebook, a link on Twitter–be grateful you can do it without fear. And take action for those who can’t!

AIUSA welcomes a lively and courteous discussion that follow our Community Guidelines. Comments are not pre-screened before they post but AIUSA reserves the right to remove any comments violating our guidelines.

148 thoughts on “5 Countries Where Your Online Comments Could Land You in Jail

  1. Many of prisoners where jailed in Bahrain just for "like" an article on Facebook or posting tweets in Twitter.

    • How many? Why?

      The country is at a point when they are under threat of Invasion by the USA and by Israel and by NATO. Iran has much to fear! Let's understand the fear in Iran because of this horrid attitued by the USA/NATO/Israel.

      Also, the ICI Ministries that operate in Iran are very suspect for a few reasons.

      Iranian Christians International
      P.O. Box 25607, Colorado Springs, CO 80936, U.S.A.
      (719) 596-0010 … (719) 574-1141 … http://www.iranchristians.org … Email: ICI@IranChristians.org

      "… In the last days … I shall restore the fortunes of Elam (Iran), declares the Lord."
      Jeremiah 49:39
      Would one wonder why?

      Amnesty loves to back the USA over Iran. How much does Amnesty know about the occupation of Iran from 1953 to 1979? How much does Amnesty know about the killing of democracy in Iran in 1953 and the putting in of the puppet Shah while the CIA/MI6 and possibly MOSSAD terrorized Iranians that tried to get back their democracy. SAVAK run by the outsiders killed many, many Iranians as many other Iranians caste a blind eye!

  2. I wonder why Iran is not mentioned, Iran has the most weblogger in prison than any other countries.?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. You forgot the UK, where people got 4 year prison sentence for posting on facebook about having a riot during the recent riots. There was no riot as a result of their post, it was just an expression, but they still got sentenced. I thought the UK allowed freedom of expression before, but….

  4. I dont understand why amnesty is not doing any thing about this.
    Actually why dont you cry about it? Saddle bags!!!!!

  5. Many of prisoners where jailed in Bahrain just for “like” an article on Facebook or posting tweets in Twitter.

  6. I think this means where a lot of different comments that seem innocuous can lead you in jail. You can, for instance, get in jail for comments calling for crimes in any country. And it considers those countries were people have really been arrested for their comments and not those where there have been threats.

  7. What about the great country Eritrea? Let alone write on the web, they will jail you accusing you of" thought to write on the web"

  8. I wonder why Iran is not mentioned, Iran has the most weblogger in prison than any other countries.?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. You forgot the UK, where people got 4 year prison sentence for posting on facebook about having a riot during the recent riots. There was no riot as a result of their post, it was just an expression, but they still got sentenced. I thought the UK allowed freedom of expression before, but….

  10. This is why the Avaaz campaign to oppose bills in the US Congress that would allow attacks on websites, youtube and the 'net are important. Sign the Avaaz petition to protect freedom of speech in the US as well as take action here for freedeom speech abroad. BOTH are IMPORTANT!

  11. I dont understand why amnesty is not doing any thing about this.
    Actually why dont you cry about it? Saddle bags!!!!!

  12. I think this means where a lot of different comments that seem innocuous can lead you in jail. You can, for instance, get in jail for comments calling for crimes in any country. And it considers those countries were people have really been arrested for their comments and not those where there have been threats.

  13. What about the great country Eritrea? Let alone write on the web, they will jail you accusing you of” thought to write on the web”

  14. This is why the Avaaz campaign to oppose bills in the US Congress that would allow attacks on websites, youtube and the ‘net are important. Sign the Avaaz petition to protect freedom of speech in the US as well as take action here for freedeom speech abroad. BOTH are IMPORTANT!

  15. Thanks for all your comments, everyone. I didn't intend for this to be a complete or exhaustive list of countries where peaceful online activity is limited or punished–I just wanted to highlight a few cases from a few different countries, and let people know about a few ways to take action, such as participating in Write for Rights (www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon).

    Amnesty International's 2011 Annual Report has quite a bit of information on freedom of expression (including online) for each country. This page has an overview of the issue: http://www.amnesty.org/en/freedom-of-expression

  16. not just germany, but in many countries in europe, you can be jailed for just saying you don't believe the holocaust happened. even in australia, fredrick toben was put in jail for having a website with evidence against the official story of the holocaust. that was a website though.. i don't know of just making comments around the place has ever lead to imprisonment, or even a police visit.

  17. Thanks for all your comments, everyone. I didn't intend for this to be a complete or exhaustive list of countries where peaceful online activity is limited or punished–I just wanted to highlight a few cases from a few different countries, and let people know about a few ways to take action, such as participating in Write for Rights (www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon).

    Amnesty International's 2011 Annual Report has quite a bit of information on freedom of expression (including online) for each country. This page has an overview of the issue: http://www.amnesty.org/en/freedom-of-expression

  18. Thanks for all your comments, everyone. I didn't intend for this to be a complete or exhaustive list of countries where peaceful online activity is limited or punished–I just wanted to highlight a few cases from a few different countries, and let people know about a few ways to take action, such as participating in Write for Rights (www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon).

    Amnesty International's 2011 Annual Report has quite a bit of information on freedom of expression (including online) for each country. This page has an overview of the issue: http://www.amnesty.org/en/freedom-of-expression

  19. @Jungle: Cuba? Really?!

    I just saw Yoani and Macho Rico head to "la shopping" to buy all the expensive imported items the lumpen here in Havana could never afford (this after posting and tweeting using hotel Wifi at $6/hr in a country where average salary hovers around $20/month).

    "Dissident" bloggers are amongst Cuba's burgeoning nouveau riche and blog freely.

  20. It has become quite "normal" thing in my country (Azerbaijan) that people are being arrested for just saying what they think about the ruling regime. Making comments or writing blog articles could certainly end you up in jail. Jabbar is just one the many young patriots who have been suppressed for their political visions. If you just walk outside with a few people and shout aloud freedom or down with the regime you will certainly get detained, and then even be jailed for long with false "evidences" of something illegal… But nowadays I started to notice that our society is also changing. I run my own blog (www.ravilasadov.wordpress.com) and I haven't faced any problem so far. Only minor comments trying to scare, but it is not a problem for me at the moment. And I know many other youth who also do the same. I hope we will have our liberation from this regime and we will be the one who plans our future and makes our country a better place to live. It is really to live here with so much injustice..

  21. Watch out guys! Right now we can post mostly anything on the internet but the government has been trying to take controls over it, a lot of corporations have been trying to "buy" it.

  22. not just germany, but in many countries in europe, you can be jailed for just saying you don’t believe the holocaust happened. even in australia, fredrick toben was put in jail for having a website with evidence against the official story of the holocaust. that was a website though.. i don’t know of just making comments around the place has ever lead to imprisonment, or even a police visit.

  23. Thanks for all your comments, everyone. I didn’t intend for this to be a complete or exhaustive list of countries where peaceful online activity is limited or punished–I just wanted to highlight a few cases from a few different countries, and let people know about a few ways to take action, such as participating in Write for Rights (www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon).

    Amnesty International’s 2011 Annual Report has quite a bit of information on freedom of expression (including online) for each country. This page has an overview of the issue: http://www.amnesty.org/en/freedom-of-expression

  24. It has become quite "normal" thing in my country (Azerbaijan) that people are being arrested for just saying what they think about the ruling regime. Making comments or writing blog articles could certainly end you up in jail. Jabbar is just one the many young patriots who have been suppressed for their political visions. If you just walk outside with a few people and shout aloud freedom or down with the regime you will certainly get detained, and then even be jailed for long with false "evidences" of something illegal… But nowadays I started to notice that our society is also changing. I run my own blog (www.ravilasadov.wordpress.com) and I haven't faced any problem so far. Only minor comments trying to scare, but it is not a problem for me at the moment. And I know many other youth who also do the same. I hope we will have our liberation from this regime and we will be the one who plans our future and makes our country a better place to live. It is really to live here with so much injustice..

  25. It has become quite "normal" thing in my country (Azerbaijan) that people are being arrested for just saying what they think about the ruling regime. Making comments or writing blog articles could certainly end you up in jail. Jabbar is just one the many young patriots who have been suppressed for their political visions. If you just walk outside with a few people and shout aloud freedom or down with the regime you will certainly get detained, and then even be jailed for long with false "evidences" of something illegal… But nowadays I started to notice that our society is also changing. I run my own blog (www.ravilasadov.wordpress.com) and I haven't faced any problem so far. Only minor comments trying to scare, but it is not a problem for me at the moment. And I know many other youth who also do the same. I hope we will have our liberation from this regime and we will be the one who plans our future and makes our country a better place to live. It is really to live here with so much injustice..

  26. @Jungle: Cuba? Really?!

    I just saw Yoani and Macho Rico head to “la shopping” to buy all the expensive imported items the lumpen here in Havana could never afford (this after posting and tweeting using hotel Wifi at $6/hr in a country where average salary hovers around $20/month).

    “Dissident” bloggers are amongst Cuba’s burgeoning nouveau riche and blog freely.

  27. Watch out guys! Right now we can post mostly anything on the internet but the government has been trying to take controls over it, a lot of corporations have been trying to “buy” it.

  28. It has become quite “normal” thing in my country (Azerbaijan) that people are being arrested for just saying what they think about the ruling regime. Making comments or writing blog articles could certainly end you up in jail. Jabbar is just one the many young patriots who have been suppressed for their political visions. If you just walk outside with a few people and shout aloud freedom or down with the regime you will certainly get detained, and then even be jailed for long with false “evidences” of something illegal… But nowadays I started to notice that our society is also changing. I run my own blog (www.ravilasadov.wordpress.com) and I haven’t faced any problem so far. Only minor comments trying to scare, but it is not a problem for me at the moment. And I know many other youth who also do the same. I hope we will have our liberation from this regime and we will be the one who plans our future and makes our country a better place to live. It is really to live here with so much injustice..

  29. That's why all the people around the world need to unite, rise up, and throw ALL the elite off of this runaway train they have us held hostage on…Laws are made to protect THEM against US…Even the infrastructure, real & virtual are monitored by THEM; traps they set for us to unknowingly fall into! WE'VE BEEN PHUCKED WITH TOO LONG, LET'S ALL CALL THEM ON THEIR BS, WITH ONE UNITED VOICE! MJ WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SANG 'ALL I GOTTA SAY IS THAT THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US!' Their actions speak louder than words but we succumb to their apologies and ignore the unending list of wrongs imposed on the general population that no amount of money in the world could ever provide restitution for. On that note, money IS the de facto shackle, & the world just needs to go on a mass strike so that, A. they see we mean business (hate that B-word; i.e. what can I do to get $ out of the public); B. we all can focus on working on common sense approach of the use of resources for the benefit of all; & C. we show that money is grease for a greaseless application. Otherwise, we will all be assimilated into the transhumanism agenda's attempt to make the elite immortal & the rest of us, a processor experiment using our brainpower to power computers and the rest of our bodies, useless. If we were all marooned on a deserted planet, I somehow don't think we would be looking for ways to 'make money' off of each other, then why do we do it now? Put that in your pot & stew it! -DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE MOCK IS COOKIN???

  30. That’s why all the people around the world need to unite, rise up, and throw ALL the elite off of this runaway train they have us held hostage on…Laws are made to protect THEM against US…Even the infrastructure, real & virtual are monitored by THEM; traps they set for us to unknowingly fall into! WE’VE BEEN PHUCKED WITH TOO LONG, LET’S ALL CALL THEM ON THEIR BS, WITH ONE UNITED VOICE! MJ WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SANG ‘ALL I GOTTA SAY IS THAT THEY DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT US!’ Their actions speak louder than words but we succumb to their apologies and ignore the unending list of wrongs imposed on the general population that no amount of money in the world could ever provide restitution for. On that note, money IS the de facto shackle, & the world just needs to go on a mass strike so that, A. they see we mean business (hate that B-word; i.e. what can I do to get $ out of the public); B. we all can focus on working on common sense approach of the use of resources for the benefit of all; & C. we show that money is grease for a greaseless application. Otherwise, we will all be assimilated into the transhumanism agenda’s attempt to make the elite immortal & the rest of us, a processor experiment using our brainpower to power computers and the rest of our bodies, useless. If we were all marooned on a deserted planet, I somehow don’t think we would be looking for ways to ‘make money’ off of each other, then why do we do it now? Put that in your pot & stew it! -DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE MOCK IS COOKIN???

  31. there should not be discrimination against human right, any one's human right. I am 100% DISLIKE it. but this is nothing new to Tibetans inside Tibet, a Tibetan student was arrested for simply having a picture of the Dalai Lama on his computer, let alone calling for protest. and nobody knows what happened to him. so where is Amnesty then, is that because this just happened in a country that is occupied by a powerful country like China. But I still support Amnesty's outstanding achievement in protecting human right while I also stubbornly appeal to you not to be hesitated by how powerful the violator of human right is, such as China.

  32. This might seem very weird but TRINIDAD & TOBAGO…the nation has been under a very suspect State of Emergency for months and all rights have been suspended. They just ended the curfew a few days ago. A Facebook user was threatened with jail on television for speaking her mind.

    You would never think anything is wrong, it's business as usual. Christmas and Carnival are coming so it's business as usual. But people's rights have been suspended.

    People have not gotten used to the SOE….they are just scared to say or post anything against the govt.

  33. AND DO NOT FORGET BAHRAIN

    SO MANY BLOGGERS JAILED AND TRIED ON MILITARY PROSECUTIONS AND SOME OF THEM SENTENCED TO SOME YEARS JUST BECAUSE OF THERE OPINION ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK

  34. there should not be discrimination against human right, any one’s human right. I am 100% DISLIKE it. but this is nothing new to Tibetans inside Tibet, a Tibetan student was arrested for simply having a picture of the Dalai Lama on his computer, let alone calling for protest. and nobody knows what happened to him. so where is Amnesty then, is that because this just happened in a country that is occupied by a powerful country like China. But I still support Amnesty’s outstanding achievement in protecting human right while I also stubbornly appeal to you not to be hesitated by how powerful the violator of human right is, such as China.

  35. This might seem very weird but TRINIDAD & TOBAGO…the nation has been under a very suspect State of Emergency for months and all rights have been suspended. They just ended the curfew a few days ago. A Facebook user was threatened with jail on television for speaking her mind.

    You would never think anything is wrong, it’s business as usual. Christmas and Carnival are coming so it’s business as usual. But people’s rights have been suspended.

    People have not gotten used to the SOE….they are just scared to say or post anything against the govt.

  36. AND DO NOT FORGET BAHRAIN

    SO MANY BLOGGERS JAILED AND TRIED ON MILITARY PROSECUTIONS AND SOME OF THEM SENTENCED TO SOME YEARS JUST BECAUSE OF THERE OPINION ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK

  37. Sometime Back (around 3 – 4 years back), we who live in Jaffna were shot dead if we went against the terrorists of LTTE. But, not any more !!

  38. Sometime Back (around 3 – 4 years back), we who live in Jaffna were shot dead if we went against the terrorists of LTTE. But, not any more !!

  39. U realy Abnormal!!!
    Army chief is jailed again for speaking out over war crimes
    Sri Lankan general gets three years for alleging that atrocity was ordered by President's brother

    "I reject this decision with disgust," Mr Fonseka said. "I believe that the fair-minded people will correct this mistake one day, otherwise it will remain a black mark in the history of our judiciary." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/army

    Earlier this year, a report completed by a UN panel said there were "credible allegations" that both Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE committed war crimes in the final stages of the conflict.

    It suggested tens of thousands of Tamil civilians had been killed and called for an independent inquiry. Sri Lanka has rejected such calls and is instead is holding its own inquiry.

    Last night Suren Surendiran, of the Global Tamil Forum, said: "The fact that the army commander who led the war alleged that war crimes were committed itself warrants an international independent investigation."

  40. U realy Abnormal!!!
    Army chief is jailed again for speaking out over war crimes
    Sri Lankan general gets three years for alleging that atrocity was ordered by President's brother

    "I reject this decision with disgust," Mr Fonseka said. "I believe that the fair-minded people will correct this mistake one day, otherwise it will remain a black mark in the history of our judiciary." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/army

    Earlier this year, a report completed by a UN panel said there were "credible allegations" that both Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE committed war crimes in the final stages of the conflict.

    It suggested tens of thousands of Tamil civilians had been killed and called for an independent inquiry. Sri Lanka has rejected such calls and is instead is holding its own inquiry.

    Last night Suren Surendiran, of the Global Tamil Forum, said: "The fact that the army commander who led the war alleged that war crimes were committed itself warrants an international independent investigation."

  41. U realy Abnormal!!!
    Army chief is jailed again for speaking out over war crimes
    Sri Lankan general gets three years for alleging that atrocity was ordered by President's brother

    "I reject this decision with disgust," Mr Fonseka said. "I believe that the fair-minded people will correct this mistake one day, otherwise it will remain a black mark in the history of our judiciary." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/army

    Earlier this year, a report completed by a UN panel said there were "credible allegations" that both Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE committed war crimes in the final stages of the conflict.

    It suggested tens of thousands of Tamil civilians had been killed and called for an independent inquiry. Sri Lanka has rejected such calls and is instead is holding its own inquiry.

    Last night Suren Surendiran, of the Global Tamil Forum, said: "The fact that the army commander who led the war alleged that war crimes were committed itself warrants an international independent investigation."

  42. U realy Abnormal!!!
    Army chief is jailed again for speaking out over war crimes
    Sri Lankan general gets three years for alleging that atrocity was ordered by President’s brother

    “I reject this decision with disgust,” Mr Fonseka said. “I believe that the fair-minded people will correct this mistake one day, otherwise it will remain a black mark in the history of our judiciary.”
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/army-chief-is-jailed-again-for-speaking-out-over-war-crimes-6264631.html

    Earlier this year, a report completed by a UN panel said there were “credible allegations” that both Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE committed war crimes in the final stages of the conflict.

    It suggested tens of thousands of Tamil civilians had been killed and called for an independent inquiry. Sri Lanka has rejected such calls and is instead is holding its own inquiry.

    Last night Suren Surendiran, of the Global Tamil Forum, said: “The fact that the army commander who led the war alleged that war crimes were committed itself warrants an international independent investigation.”

  43. The Sri Lankan editor trapped in his office for the last five years
    New freedoms promised by the end of 25-year civil war are still being denied journalists in Sri Lanka, where many who have taken an unbiased stance have paid with their lives http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-

    It is not simply dedication to his job that has led newspaper editor MV Kaanamyl-nathan to not leave his office for five-and-a-half years. In the spring of 2006, gunmen stormed into the building and sprayed automatic fire that killed two employees and left bullet holes in the walls and the table in the conference room that remain to this day.

    Since then, two police officers have been assigned to permanent duty outside the building and Mr Kaanamylnathan and his wife have left their three-bedroom home in the city and moved into a small space next to the newsroom. "I don't go out. The only exception is to go and see my doctor, a heart-specialist, once every three months," Mr Kaanamylnathan said. "For that, I have to make to make special arrangements.

    The plight of Mr Kaanamylnathan and his newspaper Uthayan, (Rising Sun in Tamil), where six members of staff have been killed in the past decade and many others attacked, threatened and harassed in incidents that continue today, is a frightening window into the world of journalism in Sri Lanka.

  44. The Sri Lankan editor trapped in his office for the last five years
    New freedoms promised by the end of 25-year civil war are still being denied journalists in Sri Lanka, where many who have taken an unbiased stance have paid with their lives http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-

    It is not simply dedication to his job that has led newspaper editor MV Kaanamyl-nathan to not leave his office for five-and-a-half years. In the spring of 2006, gunmen stormed into the building and sprayed automatic fire that killed two employees and left bullet holes in the walls and the table in the conference room that remain to this day.

    Since then, two police officers have been assigned to permanent duty outside the building and Mr Kaanamylnathan and his wife have left their three-bedroom home in the city and moved into a small space next to the newsroom. "I don't go out. The only exception is to go and see my doctor, a heart-specialist, once every three months," Mr Kaanamylnathan said. "For that, I have to make to make special arrangements.

    The plight of Mr Kaanamylnathan and his newspaper Uthayan, (Rising Sun in Tamil), where six members of staff have been killed in the past decade and many others attacked, threatened and harassed in incidents that continue today, is a frightening window into the world of journalism in Sri Lanka.

  45. The Sri Lankan editor trapped in his office for the last five years
    New freedoms promised by the end of 25-year civil war are still being denied journalists in Sri Lanka, where many who have taken an unbiased stance have paid with their lives http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-

    It is not simply dedication to his job that has led newspaper editor MV Kaanamyl-nathan to not leave his office for five-and-a-half years. In the spring of 2006, gunmen stormed into the building and sprayed automatic fire that killed two employees and left bullet holes in the walls and the table in the conference room that remain to this day.

    Since then, two police officers have been assigned to permanent duty outside the building and Mr Kaanamylnathan and his wife have left their three-bedroom home in the city and moved into a small space next to the newsroom. "I don't go out. The only exception is to go and see my doctor, a heart-specialist, once every three months," Mr Kaanamylnathan said. "For that, I have to make to make special arrangements.

    The plight of Mr Kaanamylnathan and his newspaper Uthayan, (Rising Sun in Tamil), where six members of staff have been killed in the past decade and many others attacked, threatened and harassed in incidents that continue today, is a frightening window into the world of journalism in Sri Lanka.

  46. The Sri Lankan editor trapped in his office for the last five years
    New freedoms promised by the end of 25-year civil war are still being denied journalists in Sri Lanka, where many who have taken an unbiased stance have paid with their lives
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-sri-lankan-editor-trapped-in-his-office-for-the-last-five-years-6266336.html

    It is not simply dedication to his job that has led newspaper editor MV Kaanamyl-nathan to not leave his office for five-and-a-half years. In the spring of 2006, gunmen stormed into the building and sprayed automatic fire that killed two employees and left bullet holes in the walls and the table in the conference room that remain to this day.

    Since then, two police officers have been assigned to permanent duty outside the building and Mr Kaanamylnathan and his wife have left their three-bedroom home in the city and moved into a small space next to the newsroom. “I don’t go out. The only exception is to go and see my doctor, a heart-specialist, once every three months,” Mr Kaanamylnathan said. “For that, I have to make to make special arrangements.

    The plight of Mr Kaanamylnathan and his newspaper Uthayan, (Rising Sun in Tamil), where six members of staff have been killed in the past decade and many others attacked, threatened and harassed in incidents that continue today, is a frightening window into the world of journalism in Sri Lanka.

  47. Dear Long name titled LTTE Terrorist !!

    I was only brining in to the lime light the harresment I had to go through during the brutal LTTE era. I am sorry is the comment upsetted you.

    I agree that Sarath F was sent to jail unlawfully, however, I also would like to mention that what landed him in Jail was not an Online comment he made. May be you have got your tails twisted on that aspect !!

  48. When I consider the ugly violence routinely employed by the U.S. government, against people who are every bit as valuable, intrinsically, as U.S. citizens, i.e. when I consider the moral bankruptcy of the U.S. government, I can not put any depraved act beyond it. Blowing people apart is censorship of people–not merely of words, but of people themselves.

  49. When I consider the ugly violence routinely employed by the U.S. government, against people who are every bit as valuable, intrinsically, as U.S. citizens, i.e. when I consider the moral bankruptcy of the U.S. government, I can not put any depraved act beyond it. Blowing people apart is censorship of people–not merely of words, but of people themselves.

  50. Prison always murder chamber for Tamils in sri lanka

    Unforgettable Maweerargal day celebration for Tamil prisoners at Anuradhapura prison http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2emAC000aXlA

    According to the sources prison officers of the Anuradhapura prison carried out attack against the Tamil prisoners this evening.

    Officers fail to provide food for Tamil prisoners on Maweerargal day allegedly carried out attack against them at 4.30pm in the evening.

    Group of prions officials lead by another officer named Gunadasa invited the Tamil prisoners for special party. When the prisoners arrived to the room byusing the iron bars officers carried out attack against them sources said.

    Several prisoners named Arigaran(Jaffna),Sasi(Vavuniya)Nixson(Trincomalee)and Thaya(Vadakatchchie) was severely injured from this attack.

    Sources further said Sinhala prisoners also carried out various attacks against the Tamil prisoners detained at the Anuradhapura prison.

  51. Prison always murder chamber for Tamils in sri lanka

    Unforgettable Maweerargal day celebration for Tamil prisoners at Anuradhapura prison http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2emAC000aXlA

    According to the sources prison officers of the Anuradhapura prison carried out attack against the Tamil prisoners this evening.

    Officers fail to provide food for Tamil prisoners on Maweerargal day allegedly carried out attack against them at 4.30pm in the evening.

    Group of prions officials lead by another officer named Gunadasa invited the Tamil prisoners for special party. When the prisoners arrived to the room byusing the iron bars officers carried out attack against them sources said.

    Several prisoners named Arigaran(Jaffna),Sasi(Vavuniya)Nixson(Trincomalee)and Thaya(Vadakatchchie) was severely injured from this attack.

    Sources further said Sinhala prisoners also carried out various attacks against the Tamil prisoners detained at the Anuradhapura prison.

  52. Prison always murder chamber for Tamils in sri lanka

    Unforgettable Maweerargal day celebration for Tamil prisoners at Anuradhapura prison http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2emAC000aXlA

    According to the sources prison officers of the Anuradhapura prison carried out attack against the Tamil prisoners this evening.

    Officers fail to provide food for Tamil prisoners on Maweerargal day allegedly carried out attack against them at 4.30pm in the evening.

    Group of prions officials lead by another officer named Gunadasa invited the Tamil prisoners for special party. When the prisoners arrived to the room byusing the iron bars officers carried out attack against them sources said.

    Several prisoners named Arigaran(Jaffna),Sasi(Vavuniya)Nixson(Trincomalee)and Thaya(Vadakatchchie) was severely injured from this attack.

    Sources further said Sinhala prisoners also carried out various attacks against the Tamil prisoners detained at the Anuradhapura prison.

  53. Prison always murder chamber for Tamils in sri lanka

    Unforgettable Maweerargal day celebration for Tamil prisoners at Anuradhapura prison
    http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2emAC000aXlA43edBBAA3acd5Kc3d4AYz42c24mTc240YOxd22eoMOb2

    According to the sources prison officers of the Anuradhapura prison carried out attack against the Tamil prisoners this evening.

    Officers fail to provide food for Tamil prisoners on Maweerargal day allegedly carried out attack against them at 4.30pm in the evening.

    Group of prions officials lead by another officer named Gunadasa invited the Tamil prisoners for special party. When the prisoners arrived to the room byusing the iron bars officers carried out attack against them sources said.

    Several prisoners named Arigaran(Jaffna),Sasi(Vavuniya)Nixson(Trincomalee)and Thaya(Vadakatchchie) was severely injured from this attack.

    Sources further said Sinhala prisoners also carried out various attacks against the Tamil prisoners detained at the Anuradhapura prison.

  54. Hello, I need your help. I called the FBI months ago. I have a feeling others have called. In 2008 a P.I. may have called after I hired him. I am a German citizen. I live in Orinda CA. I moved to the Usa to Bakersfield in 1992. If my FBI case is so big they must have been tracking me since then. I was born in Santa Cruz Bolivia and traveled the world in the oil business. I fear the FBI and American government will take away my rights. I think they are making too many mistakes and using lies and aggressive techniques on everyone associated with my case or file. I suspect they are covering up their own crime. I am an abuse VICTIM. I have been raped several times in 3 different places in CA. I will not say how many times but yes from different people. I have been used for insurance fraud with MR.MIP a CA state run health insurance program. MR. MIP are lying and taking money. I have been prescribed every class of drug for different misdiagnosis for 10 years. I have been abused bruised and someone shoved a tampon in me without a period in John Muir Mental Health Concord, CA. They had ripped my clothes off and shoved a needle in my right thigh before I woke up with the tampon the next day. No period though. I have many more details. No one is helping me. The FBI is using me. They are setting me up for failure. Their reports must be lies for a purpose. I have contacted the German consulate who lied to the police are wrote a police report that consisted of lies by Mrs. Metz in S.F. I cannot get through to anyone by phone or email internationally. Even the U.K. will not respond. Too many unusual occurances. The Orinda police are involved and failed to take reports from me FOR 9 years. Orinda police are criminals. They must be contacting other police friends in other counties. Pass this on to every organization any organization that can help. Please God Bless you always. Erika Bollweg

  55. Hello, I need your help. I called the FBI months ago. I have a feeling others have called. In 2008 a P.I. may have called after I hired him. I am a German citizen. I live in Orinda CA. I moved to the Usa to Bakersfield in 1992. If my FBI case is so big they must have been tracking me since then. I was born in Santa Cruz Bolivia and traveled the world in the oil business. I fear the FBI and American government will take away my rights. I think they are making too many mistakes and using lies and aggressive techniques on everyone associated with my case or file. I suspect they are covering up their own crime. I am an abuse VICTIM. I have been raped several times in 3 different places in CA. I will not say how many times but yes from different people. I have been used for insurance fraud with MR.MIP a CA state run health insurance program. MR. MIP are lying and taking money. I have been prescribed every class of drug for different misdiagnosis for 10 years. I have been abused bruised and someone shoved a tampon in me without a period in John Muir Mental Health Concord, CA. They had ripped my clothes off and shoved a needle in my right thigh before I woke up with the tampon the next day. No period though. I have many more details. No one is helping me. The FBI is using me. They are setting me up for failure. Their reports must be lies for a purpose. I have contacted the German consulate who lied to the police are wrote a police report that consisted of lies by Mrs. Metz in S.F. I cannot get through to anyone by phone or email internationally. Even the U.K. will not respond. Too many unusual occurances. The Orinda police are involved and failed to take reports from me FOR 9 years. Orinda police are criminals. They must be contacting other police friends in other counties. Pass this on to every organization any organization that can help. Please God Bless you always. Erika Bollweg

  56. I feel we are all at risk, no matter what country we live in. We are divided and suppressed by governments and religions around the world, and above all by "class". The trinity issue globally that silences us all is, "class, race, and gender", yet being silenced can happen for any reason it seems, which brings us all to the real core issue, who has, owns, and controls "power". To me, if you work for any government agency, you have no right to marginalize anyone for any reason. Just because you are part of a government, does not make you better than anyone else. Just because you think you have the right to make up laws, does not make you a God. My greatest fear is that peaceful resolutions may just not work, and that a armed world revolution may be the only answer, "to overthrow all governments". I truly hate to say it, but the governments of the world just don't care, about anyone, but themselves.

  57. I feel we are all at risk, no matter what country we live in. We are divided and suppressed by governments and religions around the world, and above all by “class”. The trinity issue globally that silences us all is, “class, race, and gender”, yet being silenced can happen for any reason it seems, which brings us all to the real core issue, who has, owns, and controls “power”. To me, if you work for any government agency, you have no right to marginalize anyone for any reason. Just because you are part of a government, does not make you better than anyone else. Just because you think you have the right to make up laws, does not make you a God. My greatest fear is that peaceful resolutions may just not work, and that a armed world revolution may be the only answer, “to overthrow all governments”. I truly hate to say it, but the governments of the world just don’t care, about anyone, but themselves.

  58. Sri Lankan government gave orders to commit war crimes, new evidence shows http://www.theinternational.org/articles/184-excl
    The Sri Lankan army ordered extra-judicial killings and assassinations during the final days of the country’s civil war, according to allegations made by a former member of the army. The source made the statements in an affidavit, obtained by The International as a part of an investigative report on the civil war, published today. The allegations were also accompanied by statements made by a witness who claims that he saw a number of serious war crimes being committed against civilians.

  59. Sri Lankan government gave orders to commit war crimes, new evidence shows http://www.theinternational.org/articles/184-excl
    The Sri Lankan army ordered extra-judicial killings and assassinations during the final days of the country’s civil war, according to allegations made by a former member of the army. The source made the statements in an affidavit, obtained by The International as a part of an investigative report on the civil war, published today. The allegations were also accompanied by statements made by a witness who claims that he saw a number of serious war crimes being committed against civilians.

  60. Sri Lankan government gave orders to commit war crimes, new evidence shows http://www.theinternational.org/articles/184-excl
    The Sri Lankan army ordered extra-judicial killings and assassinations during the final days of the country’s civil war, according to allegations made by a former member of the army. The source made the statements in an affidavit, obtained by The International as a part of an investigative report on the civil war, published today. The allegations were also accompanied by statements made by a witness who claims that he saw a number of serious war crimes being committed against civilians.

  61. Sri Lankan government gave orders to commit war crimes, new evidence shows
    http://www.theinternational.org/articles/184-exclusive-sri-lankan-government-gave-ord
    The Sri Lankan army ordered extra-judicial killings and assassinations during the final days of the country’s civil war, according to allegations made by a former member of the army. The source made the statements in an affidavit, obtained by The International as a part of an investigative report on the civil war, published today. The allegations were also accompanied by statements made by a witness who claims that he saw a number of serious war crimes being committed against civilians.

  62. As far as I can tell, none of those countries have ever started a war nor even supported a war. i think amnesty should take a long hard look at itself before it is accused of being used as a pawn

  63. As far as I can tell, none of those countries have ever started a war nor even supported a war. i think amnesty should take a long hard look at itself before it is accused of being used as a pawn

  64. @ Bill

    Germany and Holocaust denial??????? Please get some information before posting such nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!

  65. @ Bill

    Germany and Holocaust denial??????? Please get some information before posting such nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!

  66. Why do you have to pick up only third world countries that are opposed to Wetern Hegmony. Try what ever you want to say In the US on face book. A worst punshment for Americans is haveing no Job you will be fired from work …your employer will be asked to fier you and the next thing you know will not be hired by any one…… may be you will work as an eglish teacher in Kprea or one Godsken ripoff expert NGO

  67. Why do you have to pick up only third world countries that are opposed to Wetern Hegmony. Try what ever you want to say In the US on face book. A worst punshment for Americans is haveing no Job you will be fired from work …your employer will be asked to fier you and the next thing you know will not be hired by any one…… may be you will work as an eglish teacher in Kprea or one Godsken ripoff expert NGO

  68. Thomas,

    why should Amnesty take a look at its own pawn? These countries never started a war? Well, firstly, better inform yourself before writing such things. China has attacked Tibet, East-Turkestan, Mongolia and India and is now the biggest threat in the world as being a fascist terror dictatorship. This just as one example.
    Secondly, it doesn't matter if these countries have caused a war or not, you missed the topic here.
    "5 Countries Where Your Online Comments Could Land You in Jail"
    And not: 5 countries that started a war.
    It's about freedom of speech. And it's a fact that in these mentioned countries you go to jail for online comments that the government sees as a threat to their authority!

    And Bill:
    Holocaust denial itself doesn't get you to jail in Germany or other EU countries. If you do it with emphasis you will get a sentence but normally just a fee, as it is normally seen as sedition. But you definitely go to jail for attacking people physically who tell you that Holocaust Denial is complete bullshit, and that's what it actually is!!! The proves are there, 5 million deaths can't lie! And it's not only Jews who were murdered, also Communists, Sinthi and Roma and handicaped people. And it's not ok to deny these facts, as it offends the victims and in some way also the survivors and all the ancestors.
    And that Stalin was also a pervert criminal is beyond all question, but it's a serious issue to ask "Why is this creep again so popular in nowadays Russia (among the 5 most popular Russians of the 20th century)? Why is this chapter of darkest russian history still not treated in school in the same way as the Naziterror in Germany?"
    And with this creep along go monsters like Pol Pott, Ho Chi Minh, Mao Zedong, Perón, Pinochet, Franco, Saddam Hussein, Bin Laden, and, to name some monsters still alive, Bush, Putin, Wen Xiabao, Hu Xintao, Li Peng, Ahmadinejad, Assad, Mubarak, Lukashenko, Mugabe or Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo from Equatorial Guinea, just to name a few.
    80% to 90% of all countries in the world are not really democracies, so let's help them become real democracies.
    And now, as this is an international plattform, 80% to 90% of the people here might ask me: What is real democracy?
    And I have to say, it's yet to define, I only have a definition for it of my own and maybe you wouldn't like it 🙂

  69. Alibira

    "Try what ever you want to say In the US on face book."

    If the US wouldn't like facebook, an american company, they would simply forbid it.

    Of course, the PA was reminding on laws in dictatorships or the McCarthy era, but I'd still prefer to live in the US than in eg. in Russia, China or Zimbabwe, if I were a human rights activist! 😉

    We need to create social justice all over the world, but honestly, I think rather elephants will climb on palms on the South Pole 😉

  70. Thomas,

    why should Amnesty take a look at its own pawn? These countries never started a war? Well, firstly, better inform yourself before writing such things. China has attacked Tibet, East-Turkestan, Mongolia and India and is now the biggest threat in the world as being a fascist terror dictatorship. This just as one example.
    Secondly, it doesn’t matter if these countries have caused a war or not, you missed the topic here.
    “5 Countries Where Your Online Comments Could Land You in Jail”
    And not: 5 countries that started a war.
    It’s about freedom of speech. And it’s a fact that in these mentioned countries you go to jail for online comments that the government sees as a threat to their authority!

    And Bill:
    Holocaust denial itself doesn’t get you to jail in Germany or other EU countries. If you do it with emphasis you will get a sentence but normally just a fee, as it is normally seen as sedition. But you definitely go to jail for attacking people physically who tell you that Holocaust Denial is complete bullshit, and that’s what it actually is!!! The proves are there, 5 million deaths can’t lie! And it’s not only Jews who were murdered, also Communists, Sinthi and Roma and handicaped people. And it’s not ok to deny these facts, as it offends the victims and in some way also the survivors and all the ancestors.
    And that Stalin was also a pervert criminal is beyond all question, but it’s a serious issue to ask “Why is this creep again so popular in nowadays Russia (among the 5 most popular Russians of the 20th century)? Why is this chapter of darkest russian history still not treated in school in the same way as the Naziterror in Germany?”
    And with this creep along go monsters like Pol Pott, Ho Chi Minh, Mao Zedong, Perón, Pinochet, Franco, Saddam Hussein, Bin Laden, and, to name some monsters still alive, Bush, Putin, Wen Xiabao, Hu Xintao, Li Peng, Ahmadinejad, Assad, Mubarak, Lukashenko, Mugabe or Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo from Equatorial Guinea, just to name a few.
    80% to 90% of all countries in the world are not really democracies, so let’s help them become real democracies.
    And now, as this is an international plattform, 80% to 90% of the people here might ask me: What is real democracy?
    And I have to say, it’s yet to define, I only have a definition for it of my own and maybe you wouldn’t like it 🙂

  71. Alibira

    “Try what ever you want to say In the US on face book.”

    If the US wouldn’t like facebook, an american company, they would simply forbid it.

    Of course, the PA was reminding on laws in dictatorships or the McCarthy era, but I’d still prefer to live in the US than in eg. in Russia, China or Zimbabwe, if I were a human rights activist! 😉

    We need to create social justice all over the world, but honestly, I think rather elephants will climb on palms on the South Pole 😉

  72. If everyone reading this could just select one topic from Amnesty each day and share it on their facebook page, it would help so much.
    Remember, Facebook has about the 5th largest 'population' in the world today. (not certain of the numbers, but it's HUGE!)
    Please – if you do nothing else, do that!

  73. If everyone reading this could just select one topic from Amnesty each day and share it on their facebook page, it would help so much.
    Remember, Facebook has about the 5th largest ‘population’ in the world today. (not certain of the numbers, but it’s HUGE!)
    Please – if you do nothing else, do that!

  74. Abductions on rise in Vanni, Red Cross joins SL Police in refusing to register complaints http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

    A 23-year-old Tamil youth was abducted Tuesday night by armed men who came in a white van while the youth, Ganeshamoorthy Rathan, was talking to his friends along roadside in Kaadduvinayaakar temple area of his native village, Mu'l'liyava'lai of Mullaiththeevu district. Mr. Rathan was brought to his house and instructed to park his bicycle at his house. When the mother of the victim suspected that her son was under pressure by unknown men who accompanied him, the men pulled out a gun and said they were from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the SL Police and instructed Mr. Rathan to get into the van. When the family members went to the SL Red Cross office situated in Mullaiththeevu, the officials at the office refused to accept the complaint and said they do not register such complaints.

  75. Abductions on rise in Vanni, Red Cross joins SL Police in refusing to register complaints http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

    A 23-year-old Tamil youth was abducted Tuesday night by armed men who came in a white van while the youth, Ganeshamoorthy Rathan, was talking to his friends along roadside in Kaadduvinayaakar temple area of his native village, Mu'l'liyava'lai of Mullaiththeevu district. Mr. Rathan was brought to his house and instructed to park his bicycle at his house. When the mother of the victim suspected that her son was under pressure by unknown men who accompanied him, the men pulled out a gun and said they were from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the SL Police and instructed Mr. Rathan to get into the van. When the family members went to the SL Red Cross office situated in Mullaiththeevu, the officials at the office refused to accept the complaint and said they do not register such complaints.

  76. Abductions on rise in Vanni, Red Cross joins SL Police in refusing to register complaints http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

    A 23-year-old Tamil youth was abducted Tuesday night by armed men who came in a white van while the youth, Ganeshamoorthy Rathan, was talking to his friends along roadside in Kaadduvinayaakar temple area of his native village, Mu'l'liyava'lai of Mullaiththeevu district. Mr. Rathan was brought to his house and instructed to park his bicycle at his house. When the mother of the victim suspected that her son was under pressure by unknown men who accompanied him, the men pulled out a gun and said they were from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the SL Police and instructed Mr. Rathan to get into the van. When the family members went to the SL Red Cross office situated in Mullaiththeevu, the officials at the office refused to accept the complaint and said they do not register such complaints.

  77. Abductions on rise in Vanni, Red Cross joins SL Police in refusing to register complaints
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=34685

    A 23-year-old Tamil youth was abducted Tuesday night by armed men who came in a white van while the youth, Ganeshamoorthy Rathan, was talking to his friends along roadside in Kaadduvinayaakar temple area of his native village, Mu’l’liyava’lai of Mullaiththeevu district. Mr. Rathan was brought to his house and instructed to park his bicycle at his house. When the mother of the victim suspected that her son was under pressure by unknown men who accompanied him, the men pulled out a gun and said they were from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the SL Police and instructed Mr. Rathan to get into the van. When the family members went to the SL Red Cross office situated in Mullaiththeevu, the officials at the office refused to accept the complaint and said they do not register such complaints.

  78. Not quite the same issue, but apparently the Indian government has asked Internet companies and social media sites like Facebook, to pre-screen user content from India. Please see the link above for more details.

  79. Not quite the same issue, but apparently the Indian government has asked Internet companies and social media sites like Facebook, to pre-screen user content from India. Please see the link above for more details.

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  84. In our modern era, long lost friends could find very easily. That was very incredible before when were not social networking sites like facebook, twitter etc.

  85. You forgot the USA!
    Funny how Amnesty forgets the USA so damned often!!!
    (SALEM / RICHMOND) – A decorated U.S. Marine who served his nation in two wars, Brandon Raub, of Richmond Virginia, was arrested for airing his critical views of the U.S. government on Facebook this weekend. We just reported yesterday that a Human Rights activist in Bahrain is being prosecuted for six Twitter messages. Politically, this country is increasingly resembling Bahrain and other nations that arrest those who speak out critically over federal policy.

    USA:
    Who's watching your moves on Facebook? Employers, stalkers, federal agents, and even insurance companies have been known to scan Facebook profiles for information. Just as troubling are reports of Facebook account hackers, who put users at risk for identity fraud. Even if you safeguard personal information with a "Friends Only" setting, there is a chance you've friended someone whom you barely know or have never met.

    And, how many don't we know about?

  86. Okay. What are they arrested for in Iran with regard to facebook posts?

    Who is this Shoreh who gets to wilfully spam here with a link that goes nowhere?

  87. Have you noticed that contries that put you in jail but are friendly with the us government are not showing up on this list?