Stories about Human Rights from February, 2015
Video Project Documents the Life and Struggles of West Papuans
"They are the stories behind the conflict: the struggles for education, the environment, equality, and dignity."
Cuban LGBT Activist Takes On Conservative ‘Family Code’
An article published in the state newspaper Granma has fueled a debate about the obsolescence of the Cuban Family Code.
President Obama's Countering Violent Extremism Summit Divides American Muslim Activists
America's "Counter Violent Extremism" policy is accused of heavily targeting Muslims.
#SaveSaman: A Final Effort to Save Iran's Saman Naseem from Execution
There has been an urgent call to action to stop the state execution of juvenile prisoner Saman Naseem, arrested at 17 years of age (now 22), for his membership in an armed opposition group. Amnesty International has been leading a call to action to stop the execution slate for today (February 19th).
Argentina Creates Registry of Interpreters of Indigenous Languages
Argentina creates the Registry of Interpreters of Indigenous Languages, following the case of Reina Maraz after being in prison for three years without knowing why, for not having Quechua language interpreter in the country.
Japan Seizes Syria-Bound Photographer's Passport Amid ISIS Fears
This follows the brutal murder of two Japanese nationals by ISIS in January. There is now a vague sense in Japan that some places that are not acceptable for travel.
Trolls Target Brazilian Woman After She Shares Her Traumatizing Rape Story on Facebook
Ten years after she was raped, Viviane Teves publicized her struggle to move on. Trolls got a hold of her phone number and began to harass her on WhatsApp.
Bangladeshi Publisher Faces Death Threats Over Translation of Controversial Iranian Writer's Book
Riaz Khan pulled the Bangla translation of "23 Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Muhammad" after its publication sparked outrage from hardline religious groups, but the threats continue.
Moroccan Forces Accused of Abusing Sub-Saharan Migrants
"There were six buses waiting for us, we were ordered to climb. Then we drove for several hours into the desert. We had no indication where we were going."
Turkey Mourns a Female Student's Brutal Death
News of the horrific murder of a female student last week opened up the discussion about gender-based violence in Turkey, and public anger came steaming out.
Egypt in Mourning Over Brutal Execution of 21 Coptic Christians by ‘ISIS in Libya’
Egyptians mourn the loss of 21 Coptic Christians after Libyan branch of ISIS posts gruesome video of their beheading.
Teddy Bears Face Off with Police as Bahrain Marks its Fourth Anniversary of Anti-Regime Protests
Copycat teddy bears soon popped up across villages in Bahrain, and were placed at barricades put up by the protesters to protect themselves from police attacks.
Wave of Arrests in France for ‘Advocating Terrorism’ After Charlie Hebdo Attack
Over 100 criminal charges have been filed for "terrorism advocacy" since the attacks, occasionally against minors, oftentimes for reasons that have little to do with the true fight against terrorism.
Japan Needs Apartheid, Says Influential Conservative Author
Noted Japanese author and conservative political activist Ayako Sono advocated in a newspaper column that immigrants to Japan be separated by race and forced to live in special zones.
The Western Hemisphere's Deadliest Country for Journalists
Mexico received the second lowest ranking (after Cuba) in the Americas on the World Press Freedom Index for in 2014.
Some Right-Wing Groups in India Have No Love for Valentine's Day This Year
Hindu Mahasabha says it will force couples making public displays of affection on Valentine's Day to marry, while Kalinga Sena plans to film couples and send the videos to parents.
In Putin's Russia, a Retweet Can Lead to a Jail Term
Even a retweet of an image or a republished post may cost Russian citizens unfettered access to the Internet—and often, their freedom.
One Simple Infographic to Understand Political Repression in Thailand
Prachatai's infographic lists some of the ordinary activities the authorities have suppressed over the past nine months. The junta's paranoia runs deep.
#Douma_Exterminated as the World Turns Its Back on Horrific Attacks on Ghouta in Syria
Over five days, Assad forces killed about 143 civilians in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta province in Douma as the world watched in silence.
The Caribbean Is Stuck in a ‘Blame the Victim’ Mindset
A couple of recent cases reveal that one of the most disturbing aspects of the region's complicated relationship with sex and gender is alive and well.
RuNet Watchdog ‘Baffled’ by Twitter's Refusal to Block Kremlin's Opponents
Alexandr Zharov, head of Roscomnadzor, told journalists that Twitter "has consistently refused to adhere to the demands of Russian legislation, including those aimed at combatting extremism."