Stories about Human Rights from December, 2024
What Russian soldiers wrote to their loved ones before their death
Holod Magazine published final messages that some Russian soldiers sent to their loved ones before dying and descriptions of the deceased provided by their relatives
How the UN Cybercrime Convention 2023 can pose a threat to human rights defenders and exiled journalists
The convention must include mandatory dual criminality clauses, respect human rights safeguards, establishing that no cooperation will be provided in cases that could result in violations of fundamental rights.
Christianity's impact on Chepang Indigenous spirituality in Nepal
As young people in Nepal's Indigenous Chepang community convert to Christianity, many Indigenous spiritual practices and traditions are being lost, leading to tension within the community.
South Africa’s air pollution crisis: Contributing factors and solutions
The South African High Court ruled that the poor air quality violates citizens' constitutional right to an environment that is safe for their health and well-being.
Greek state suppresses peaceful protestors commemorating 2008 police killing of a boy
On December 6, Greek police intervened in demonstrations commemorating the death of a 15-year-old boy fatally shot by police back on December 6, 2008. The intervention led to the arrests of over 100 people.
How to stop battery-operated rickshaws from causing new problems on Dhaka's roads
The rapid rise of makeshift battery-powered rickshaws and government bans has sparked controversy, highlighting challenges in regulation and raising concerns about employment issues in Bangladesh.
Closed borders in Azerbaijan: Security measure or a violation of human rights?
The authorities changed their narrative around closed borders for the first time following a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow in March 2024.
Mali adopts openly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
In Africa, there is a growing trend towards the criminalization of homosexuality. The recent change in Malian legislation is a prime example.
New documentary explores Sri Lanka’s Buddhist supremacy and minority communities
Sri Lankan Filmmaker Sulochona Peiris talks about her latest documentary, which explores how contested religious sites incite complex ethnic tensions between Sri Lanka's Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamil communities.
Malaysia’s Mufti Bill sparks debate on religious plurality and accountability
"Policies shaped by restrictive fatwas could marginalize non-Muslims and discourage intellectual and religious discourse."
Surprising developments from Ghana’s 2024 elections and other elections in Africa
Increasingly, citizens are prioritizing accountability and performance over party loyalty, using their votes and voices to demand change from governments that fail to address corruption, inefficiency, and unmet promises.
Turkey's environmental activist is among BBC's 100 inspiring and influential women
Experts say while climate change or excessive weather conditions may have had a role to play, environmental disasters were the result of poor planning and incorrect decisions at government level.
In Jamaica's Rio Cobre oil spill case, activists and civil society say there are outstanding issues
'The public deserves full transparency and accountability [and the] assurance that environmental laws will be enforced openly, vigorously and with due regard for environmental standards, principles and best practices.'
A reactive approach? Examining Pakistan government’s measures in response to alleged Umrah Visa abuse
Pakistan's Umrah Visa crackdown appears superficial, addressing symptoms rather than the deep-rooted economic challenges driving desperate citizens to seek alternative survival strategies.
Kenyan money lending apps invade borrowers’ privacy to recover debts
A report by the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) at Strathmore University revealed that most lending apps collect far more data than necessary.
Women in public positions in North Macedonia are easy targets of hate speech
Despite visible progress in the fight for women’s rights, increased representation in politics and greater attention to issues affecting women, the tendency to express contempt and insult them persists.
Turkey’s main opposition political party protests the detention of its elected mayor
According to documentation by local civil society, since 2016, the ruling government has removed over 140 mayors, replacing them with government appointed trustees.
There is urgent need to reopen the Benin–Niger border
A diplomatic crisis fueled by political tension between Niger and Benin is hampering the economic activities of people in both countries.
Protests continue in Georgia despite police crackdown
In response to ongoing protests and the ruling Georgia Dream government's disproportionate and violent response, several countries have issued sanctions against high ranking government officials.
Death of grandson of Cuba’s national poet draws attention to imprisoned activists
Cuba has the second highest rate of incarceration in the world and more than a thousand political prisoners.
Saydnaya: In Syria, a legacy of pain looking for an honorable cleansing
"For those of us who cherish the beauty and history of the town of Sydnaya, its prison’s notoriety has been a painful stain on a proud identity."
