The UN Convention of Human Rights exists to protect people from this kind of action by their Governments, apparently.

Sadly, unless one has a considerably higher profile than most online journalists, the implication of protections in UN Convention of Human Rights can serve more as an attractive nuisance than as any real protection.  Perhaps the representatives of the "advanced" nations in the west should explain to their more "backward" colleagues that they should lighten up, as few pay any attention to these critics and leaving them alone can give the government the appearance of being more "progressive."  

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."