Stories about Human Rights from April, 2015
Lebanon Celebrates its Armenian Heritage in Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Lebanon was among the nations that welcomed Armenian refugees fleeing the genocide of 1915 and is now celebrating their rich contributions to Lebanese culture.
Singaporean Teenager Arrested for Making Videos Deemed ‘Offensive’
"Apart from the problems of using handcuffs on minors, is this really a proportional response to a YouTube video?"
Until You Change: ‘Dehomosexualization’ the Ecuadorian Way
Ecuador's government is trying to close or regulate an army of private rehabilitation centers that claim to be able to change individuals' sexual orientations and gender identifications.
How Blogging is Held Hostage by Ethiopian Politics
"Why is there just a single—and poorly functioning—Internet service provider for Ethiopia’s 90 million people? We know better than to ask this of public officials."
GV Face: Breaking Pakistan's Silence on Balochistan
Public discussions on Balochistan's war are rare. Nationalists think silence on Balochistan is their patriotic duty, others self-censor out of fear of Pakistan's powerful military.
Lesbian Fleeing Persecution in Cameroon Finally Receives Asylum in Spain
Although Spain is one of the world's more tolerant countries in regards to LGBT rights, its governmental institutions are not as inclined to granting asylum.
US Ambassador Kennedy Visits Hiroshima Acknowledging Legacy of Atomic Destruction
US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy visited Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Museum and laid a wreath at the cenotaph for A-bomb victims - unprecedented for a US ambassador.
Tanzania's Cyber Crime Bill Gives More Power to Police, Less to People
Leading opponents of the legislation from civil society say they will take the government to court if the president signs the bill into law.
China Jails Prominent Journalist Gao Yu for Leaking ‘State Secrets’
She was sentenced to seven years in prison. Observers believe the "state secrets" refer to a Chinese Communist Party directive that lists "seven speak-nots" for university professors, including press freedom.
Japan's ‘Vagina Artist’ Denies Obscenity Charges
Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, nicknamed "The Vagina Artist" by the Western media, says there's nothing obscene about artwork based on her genitalia.
A Filipina Woman Shares How She Ended Up on Indonesia's Death Row for Drug Trafficking
"We believe that Mary Jane was a victim of large drug syndicates who take advantage of the unawareness, vulnerability and desperation of our people."
Is South Africa Off Limits to Other Africans?
South Africa has witnessed xenophobic attacks involving beatings, killings, and burning and looting shops and property owned by foreigners. Five people have been killed, including a 14-year-old boy.
Tajik Authorities Hunt the Hijab and Battle the Beard
"They got to me too… Today, three policemen took me to Khujand police station and shaved my beard forcedly. This country does not have a future!"
Cuba at the Summit of the Americas: The Struggle for Voice and Representation
The Summit of the Americas shined a spotlight on the political divisions that characterize Cuban civil society inside the country and abroad.
Ugandan Peace Advocate Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
This is Uganda (ThisIs256) is a platform of talented writers from Uganda who are determined to write positive stories about their country, banishing stories about poverty porn, hunger, Ebola, and tribalism, among others. They seek to represent an authentic, reflective, honest, and objectively balanced study about Uganda that you will...
Bengali New Year Takes a Colorful Stand Against Religious Extremism in Bangladesh
Among the fun and festivities for Bengali New Year in Bangladesh was a serious message, "Burn many lights in the darkness of hearts," to commemorate bloggers and activists recently murdered.
China Finally Releases Five Detained Feminist Activists
But they are not free yet. The five will be under police surveillance for a year.
Google Denies Russian Media Claims on Data Localization Move
Google representatives have denied Russian media reports that Google was bowing to Russia's demands and moving to store Russian users' data on servers inside the country, calling them "inaccurate."
Unseasonal Gaza Hailstorm Draws Attention to Palestinian Refugees’ Plight
Netizens are reporting unseasonal snowfall in Gaza today. Others say it's just hail. But for many the suffering of Gaza's 108,000 homeless and internally displaced refugees comes to mind.
Egypt's Nationality Laws Are Sexist: Men Can Pass on Nationality to Their Wives, While Women Can't
While Egyptian men could pass on their nationality to their wives, Egyptian women don't have the same right. One Twitter user, Salma El-Daly, vows to fight this law.
Malaysia’s New Law Targets Online Sedition
"This latest curtailment of freedom of expression further restricts public discourse and will create a void in Malaysian social media and a deafening silence in news forums."