Stories about Human Rights from February, 2016
Can Goodwill Gestures Help End Burundi's Political Crisis?
Two blocked radios are permitted back on the air, arrest warrants were lifted and some prisoners to be freed -- yet many remain unconvinced about the government's good intentions.
Ukraine's Eurovision 2016 Entry Is About Stalin’s Repressions. Russia Isn't Thrilled.
Ukraine’s entry for the Eurovision 2016 music contest is a song about the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by the Stalin regime. So why are Russian officials upset?
Macedonians Protest to ‘Defend the Constitution from the Constitutional Court Justices’
"Apparently it's perfectly legal to do election fraud, and whatever crimes you commit as long as the court approves it"
Colombia Edges Closer to Signing Peace Agreement
The final and hopefully definitive phase of a peace process is underway and the Colombian government is preparing for post-conflict reconciliation with its new plan “Peace for Colombia.”
Macedonian Court Rejects Appeal by Activist Sentenced for Defaming Pro-Government TV Host
Five years after the case first began, Macedonia's judiciary has finally rejected an appeal by an activist convicted defaming a pro-government television show host.
Belgrade Mayor Stands By Police Chief Who Interfered in Journalists’ Work
Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali has refused to comply with the request of Serbia's Ombudsman to fire the chief of the Communal Police, who interfered with the work of journalists.
Saudi Arabia Sentences Twitter User to 10 Years in Prison and 2,000 Lashes for Apostasy
Saudi Arabia has sentenced a Twitter user to 10 years in prison in addition to 2,000 lashes for publishing 600 tweets "which spread atheism" online.
Sexual Violence a Crime Against Humanity, Guatemalan Court Rules in Historic Verdict
In a historic ruling, a Guatemala court sentences former military men for murder, rape and enslavement of indigenous women, categorizing the offenses as crimes against humanity.
The Malaysian Insider News Website Blocked by Authorities for Posting ‘Unverified’ Report on Government Corruption
"Such unilateral action could also be construed as an attempt to intimidate the media against running critical news reports."
Efforts Continue to Free Indigenous Activist and Ex-Director of Community Police in Mexico
Thirty months after Nestora Salgado's arrest, efforts to free her continue. The charges against her haven't been dropped even though international bodies have recognized her detention is illegal and arbitrary.
The Fight Continues to Free Detained Central American High Schoolers in the US
"Children who are doing the right things, who are in school, who are living at home with their parents, are not a priority in my opinion."
Want to Arouse a Peruvian's Passions? Just Talk about Terrorism—or Food
"The only other matter that reliably inflames the passions of Peruvians are the attempts by our southern neighbors to claim the Pisco Sour or the Suspiro Limeño as their own."
Journalists Find Themselves the Target of India's ‘Anti-National’ Narrative
"As goons in black robes rampaged through the Delhi court house where Kanhaiya Kumar is being tried, they assaulted journalists not just on day one, but then once again..."
An Exiled Scholar Says Thailand's Junta Is Harassing His Family
"I already found this injustice unbearable. But to go after my family who had nothing to do with me — this is absolutely unacceptable."
UN Human Rights Official Pulls No Punches in Assessment of Hungary
After a nine-day visit, UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forst highlighted the disheartening conditions human rights activists face in Hungary.
Egyptian Writer Ahmed Naji Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for His ‘Sexually Explicit’ Novel
Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji has been sentenced to two years in prison for publishing a chapter of his "sexually explicit" novel in a magazine.
Aqeela Asifi: A Teacher in Exile Continues the Struggle
Imagine teaching for 23 years in a small Afghan refugee camp, and then, one day, learning that Stephen Hawking himself has lauded you and your work
Unexpected Border Closure Leaves Thousands of Afghan Refugees Stranded in Greece
In Idomeni, a small village next to the Greek-Macedonian border, the only hope seems to be a passport.
Asylum Seeker ‘Baby Asha’ Becomes a Rallying Point for Opponents of Australia's Offshore Detention
Australia's immigration minister confirmed that 1-year old asylum seeker ‘Baby Asha’ would not be deported back to Nauru.
Eviction in Calais Refugee Camp Poses Special Threat for Unaccompanied Minors [Updated]
For the hundreds of unaccompanied minors living in Calais' "Jungle" refugee camp life is extremely hard, and the eviction of camp residents by French authorities won't make it easier.
Indian Tribal Activist Soni Sori, ‘an Inconvenient Woman Who Speaks Inconvenient Truths’, Attacked
"Attack on Soni Sori is another attempt to muzzle the voice of dissent. One might disagree with one's views but this is no way to deal with."
