Stories about Human Rights from December, 2014
Protests, Blackouts, and a Bill of Rights for the Internet: Advox in 2014
In 2014, the Global Voices Advox team covered more stories than ever before. From Egypt to Ethiopia to Tajikistan to Turkey, our authors wrote what they saw on the ground,...
A Presidential Birth Certificate Controversy Provokes Social Unrest in Gabon
Protests against president Bongo broke out in Gabon last week provoking one death and several arrests.
From #ReclaimYourMosques to #ReclaimPakistan, Pakistanis Call for an End to Extremism
Horrified by the attack on a Peshawar school by Taliban militants, who killed more than 130 students, Pakistanis are protesting for an end to violent radicalism.
Central Asia's 2014: Lots of Alarms but only a Few Surprises
In 2014 Global Voices' Central Asia team wrote about Sochi, Afghan elections, Tajikistan behaving strangely, a Kazakh currency devaluation, an Uzbek Princess' fall and a volleyball tournament in Taiwan. What?
New Protest Facebook Page Already in Place as Kremlin Moves Navalny Verdict Forward
As thousands of Russians joined a January 15 protest against the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Navalny, the court suddenly moved the verdict announcement to tomorrow, December 30.
A 17-Year-Old Rape Victim's Demand for Justice Gains Momentum in Nepal
Puja Bohara's open letter to Nepal's law minister has resonated with many in the mountainous country, where rape and other kinds of violence against women are prevalent.
The Christmas When the French City of Angoulême Built Cages Against Its Homeless People
The holiday spirit in the French city of Angoulême this year meant taking measures against homeless people. The outrage was swift, but will it last?
Cuban Dissidents Harbor Hope, Fear and Fury Over US-Cuba Reconciliation
"Cuba is not a computer in which you can install new software and expect it to work differently," says one prominent human rights advocate.
So Much More Than the World Cup Happened in Brazil in 2014
From a soap opera's groundbreaking gay kiss to a national debate on racism and vigilante justice, 2014 was a busy year in Latin America's largest country.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Dr. Mukwege: ‘How Can One Stay Silent’ in the Face of Sexual Violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege moved some European parliament members to tears with his speech accepting the 2014 Sakharov Award on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Facebook and Twitter ‘Won't Block’ Navalny in Russia, As Kremlin Continues to Block Protest Mentions
Tv Rain reports Facebook and Twitter have decided not to block any more Navalny protest pages, aware that this might mean their whole websites may be blocked in Russia.
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
Mexican Soap Opera's Gay Couple Thrown Back into the Closet on Brazilian TV
Brazilian SBT channel has cut out scenes and changed dialogue in its rebroadcast of the Mexican telenovela “Sortilegio” in order to hide the romantic relationship between two male characters.
#Ferguson Killing Inspires Street Art Throughout the US
A new wave of art with messages of justice have flooded Ferguson, Missouri, in the wake of the police killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
‘Ferguson Is Here': Black Brazilians Bear the Brunt of Deadly Police Violence
Hundreds marched in São Paulo, not only to support rallies in the US, but also to underline the country's dark reality: Brazilian police systematically target and murder black people.
Murder of LGBTQ Activist Renews Venezuela’s Human Rights Debate
The murder of Giniveth Soto, a gender-equality activist, has launched at least two major, nationwide public debates about urban violence and threats same-sex couples face in Venezuela.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.
The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Hong Kong Police's Arrest of Teen ‘Shopping’ Protesters Sparks Concern
Human rights activists worry that Hong Kong police are targeting minors participating in "shopping" pro-democracy protests. Young activists may not be aware of their legal rights.
Castro and Obama Open New Chapter on US-Cuba Relations
Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits are overwhelmed, elated, speechless. But as both presidents noted, the embargo is codified in legislation that only the US Congress can change.
