Stories about Human Rights from March, 2015
Film Documents Alleged Human Rights Crimes by Peru's Military in the 80s
Recovering Latin American historical memory and raising awareness of the atrocities committed in the past are crucial steps to take in order to ensure they are never repeated and that, instead, we continue to work towards strengthening our democracies. To that end, film can play a crucial role in compiling...
Indigenous Activists Threatened and Attacked in El Cauca, Colombia
Several indigenous communities in Colombia continue to be victims of human rights violations and threats by paramilitary groups. Moreover, activists also report being attacked by public security forces and ESMAD, Colombia's mobile anti-riot squad, as exposed by Ama Pachamama in a Facebook post from March 11, 2015: […] A la fecha, se reportan...
Wife of a Former World Champion Speaks Out in Bahrain: ‘He Was Arrested for Buying Cigarettes and Milk’
Former Bahraini gold medal holder in Brazilian jujitsu Mohamed Mirza was sentenced to 10 years in prison "for going out to buy cigarettes and milk," tweets his wife.
The Campaign to #SaveShafqat, the Pakistani Sentenced to Death at Age 14
Children aren't allowed to be given death sentences in Pakistan. But the police recorded his age as 23 when they arrested him. That record has never been corrected.
Back-to-Back Murders of Journalists Raise Concerns in Colombia
The murders of Colombian Edgar 'Quintin' Quintero and Luis Peralta highlight the dangers journalists face in Colombia today.
Open Letter Asks UN Human Rights Council to Probe Abuses in Vietnam
An open letter signed by 27 groups and 163 individuals is asking the United Nations Human Rights Council to probe the human rights abuses committed by the Vietnamese government. The signatories are also demanding the removal of Vietnam's membership in the UN human rights body. We urge member states to...
For Nepali Migrant Workers, the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar Is a Game of Death
"FIFA: DROP QATAR!! Nepal's slaves are dying like flies!" Over a third of the migrants building the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are Nepalis. Their story is harrowing.
Bahrain Court Postpones Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab's Case to April 15
A Bahrain court today [March 15, 2015] postponed its verdict in an appeal made by leading Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab against a six-month prison sentence until April 15. The case concerns comments he made about ISIS on Twitter. Rajab was initially convicted of “denigrating an official body” in tweets that...
Bahrain's Leading Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Faces Prison for ISIS Tweets
As life grows increasingly intolerable for the country's Shia majority, one of the few people prepared to defend their rights faces jail.
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Awaits Sentence
Nabeel Rajab is scheduled to be sentenced in a case brought against him by the Bahraini government on March 15, concerning comments about ISIS that he made on Twitter. Convicted of “denigrating an official body” in tweets likening Bahrain's security apparatus to an “incubator” for ISIS fighters, Rajab was initially sentenced to six...
Memory Banda Escaped Child Marriage in Malawi, but Her 11-Year-Old Sister Wasn't so Lucky
Eighteen-year-old Memory Banda has managed to escape the cycle that turns half the girls in her southern African nation into brides, and usually mothers, by her age.
Access to Grani.Ru and Other Censored News Websites Restored by Digital Activists
As part of Operation Collateral Freedom, activists used the technique known as mirroring to duplicate the nine censored sites and place their copies on the servers of large Internet companies
The Ban on “India’s Daughter” Brings India’s Sons into Focus
The documentary about the horrific 2012 Delhi rape case wasn't perfect, but any thoughtful critiques were shoved aside when India's government banned the film and asked YouTube to block it.
Leaked Wiretaps Appear to Confirm Election Fraud Suspicions in Macedonia
As Macedonia's wiretapping scandal develops into a full political saga, newly leaked conversations among government officials have revived allegations of fraud during the 2014 election.
Solidarity Arises from the Rubble of a Demolished House in Madrid
"They think they won but what they don't know is that many beautiful people will rebuild."
Gender Perspective Comes to Puerto Rico's Public School System
"Even though it isn't an end in itself, this step is a tremendous instrument in favor of human rights in Puerto Rico."
Diary of Journalist Pedro Canché Herrera, ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ in Mexico
Pedro Canché Herrera is awaiting sentencing on sabotage charges, after recording video and interviewing protesters. He describes his experience and thoughts on free expression on social media.
International Women's Day: One Date, Billions of Contexts
Although International Women's Day was first spearheaded by socialist groups, and focused on working women, the day has now taken on distinctive forms in different locations all over the world.
China Harasses Women Activists on the Eve of International Women's Day
Women protesting sexual harassment on public transport ahead of International Women's Day fell victim to a different type of harassment: police harassment.
Does Tajikistan Need Sex Education?
In a country where a girl is expected to be a virgin before marriage, the idea of sex education in schools is controversial. But it is going ahead anyway.
Macedonia’s Massive Illegal Wiretapping Operation Allegedly Monitored Journalists and Diplomats
As a four-year-long wiretapping scandal unravels in Macedonia, online users draw attention to the lack of media coverage and the history of the characters behind the story.