Stories about Human Rights
Nepal's Sapana Roka Magar, who provides Hindu funeral rites for unclaimed bodies, listed in BBC's 100 Women of 2020
With COVID-19 disproportionally affecting homeless people in Nepalese cities, Sapana's work became vital to this vulnerable population, who are so often deprived of dignified funerals.
Pressure mounts on Egypt to release prominent human rights defenders
Three senior members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), one of Egypt’s most prominent human rights groups, were arrested earlier this month on charges of terrorism.
Student protests in Philippine universities hit government for bungled Typhoon disaster response
"We halt our classes and academic work to amplify our call for justice and for the ouster of Duterte."
Controversy over Thanksgiving celebration in a Chinese university highlights a growing culture of political snitching
A dormitory supervisor at Harbin Institute of Technology wanted to give out chocolate treats to students on Thanksgiving Day. A student threatened to report her to the school's authorities.
Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert freed from Iranian jail in prisoner swap
"It’s far past time for democratic allies — indeed all responsible governments — to work together to end state sponsored hostage taking once and for all, beginning with #Iran"
Between commemoration and rage: Haitians confront a growth in fatal kidnappings
“The proliferation of armed men, the uncontrolled circulation of illegal firearms, and growing insecurity touch every aspect of life in Haiti"
From #BlackLivesMatter to #VidasNegrasImportam: Call to end colonial legacy of police brutality
"Police brutality is universal, white supremacy is global, and colonialism is not forgotten, which is why Black people every day, around the world, are being killed."
Hong Kong pro-democracy trio defiant in face of upcoming jail sentence
The trio, all former members of the now-disbanded political party Demosisto, faces a number of different charges.
Trinidad & Tobago deports Venezuelan women and children as matter of ‘national security’
The deportation of 16 Venezuelan minors and nine women shortly before they were supposed to have a habeas corpus hearing has prompted energetic debate in Trinidad and Tobago.
Can secularism be compatible with Islam?
"Islam has become an insecure identity that is always undermined by criticism from the Christian or godless, but always colonial, West."
In Pakistan, social media platforms risk bans under new ‘draconian’ rules
New rules vesting the government with the power to regulate online content and ban entire platforms drew criticism from human rights groups and tech companies.
Rubber ducks in Thai protests inspire solidarity and memes
"The image of Thai authorities, armed to the teeth with riot gear and shields, facing off against…rubber ducks…highlights the sheer asymmetry of the battle between protester and state."
Activists protest dam construction in northwest Georgia
A planned US$800 million hydropower project, the largest in Georgia, is meeting resistance from residents of the Rioni River valley
Report into Australian special forces war crimes in Afghanistan ‘gut-wrenching’
"Heinous violence such as war crime cannot be concealed forever, no matter how much efforts are made to do it, as the Australian case shows."
How a grassroots revolt restored democracy in Peru
The protests were massive, with everyone united around the common goal of showing their indignation against the corruption of the political class.
In the Middle East, words escape prison walls to inspire freedom and hope
"Why is our homeland so small and tight, and why am I considered a criminal or an enemy that threatens it!”
Voices in a Bangkok rally a day after police used water cannon and tear gas against protesters
"I feel that I have to come out to demand my rights. My friends, my younger siblings, or my children in the future should have a better life than this."
An internet with borders: A perspective from Pakistan
Pakistan recently adopted new rules imposing fines and bans on services that fail to take down and restrict content within short time frames.
