Imagine being jailed for simply blogging about your conversion to Christianity or for criticizing your government or your religion, but this is exactly what is happening in countries that have no respect for freedom of speech. From Egypt to Burma, people are being thrown in jail for just that, blogging or writing about subjects the government will not tolerate.

In Burma (Myanmar) 2 bloggers are languishing in jail for crimes against the government. What were those alleged crimes? Nay Phone Latt was arrested and sentenced to 20 plus years for possession of a video deemed subversive by the Myanmar junta. Owner of 2 internet cafes in Rangoon, he also blogged about the Saffron Revolution in 2007, which I’m sure was also a factor in his arrest.

Although he has eye problems, he is being refused medical care. Zarganar, a comedian, was arrested (back in 2007) for blogging about his support of the peaceful demonstrations by the Burmese Buddhist monks, and then re-arrested, this past year, for speaking with the BBC and blogging about the government’s pathetic handling of the aftermath of CycloneNargis. He was sentenced to 45 years, and then handed an additional 14 years, no-one knows why. To sign a petition for their release, please click here.

In Saudi Arabia, a Christian convert, Hamoud Bin Salehm had his blog banned, and was arrested for blogging about his conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer (aka Abelkareem Nabil Soliman) has been in jail since 2007, sentenced to 4 years in prison for the following:

(1) Spreading data and malicious rumors that disrupt public security; (2) Defaming the President of Egypt;
(3) Incitement to overthrow the regime upon hatred and contempt;
(4) Incitement to hate “Islam” and breach of the public peace standards;
(5) Highlighting inappropriate aspects that harm the reputation of Egypt and spreading them to the public.

He was disowned by his own parents who said he should repent or be killed.

In Iran, multiple bloggers have been arrested, tortured and jailed, some for merely criticizing other bloggers for being incarcerated.

In Lebanon, in 2005, journalist Samir Kassir was blown up by a bomb in his car because of his criticism of Syria’s meddling in Lebanese affairs.

This is happening all over the world, bloggers and journalists are being jailed, tortured, sued and sometimes even killed as a result of expressing something someone happens to disagree with or finds offensive.

Keep free speech alive. Keep blogging.