Stories about Human Rights from May, 2015
Despite Protests, Malaysia Still Plans to Build a Mega Dam That Could Displace 20,000 Indigenous People
"It is built for the benefit of others rather than those who live in Baram and for the long term good of the Baram."
‘Lipstick Protester’ Jasmina Golubovska: Macedonians Want to ‘Start from Scratch’
A Reuters photo turned Golubovska's lipstick into a symbol of the mass protests in Macedonia. But there is nothing cosmetic about citizens' demand for change.
Atena Farghadani Goes on Trial Tomorrow in Iran for Her Cartoon About Access to Contraception
The cartoon that sparked her arrest depicts members of parliament as animals. She is charged with spreading propaganda against the system, insulting members of parliament and insulting the supreme leader.
The Stateless of the Dominican Republic: The Story of Juliana Deguis
In September 2013, the Dominican Republic’s Supreme Court passed a ruling that rendered stateless some 200,000 Dominicans with Haitian roots.
Iran's Evin Prison to Become a Park
This post first appeared on iranhumanrights.org and is published here in collaboration with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said last week that the Tehran Municipality is prepared to enter negotiations with the Iranian Judiciary to convert the Evin Prison complex in northwestern Tehran into a...
Rohingya Boat Refugees Rejected by Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia
"Action on #Rohingya is a real test of character for #ASEAN. Are we compassionate or heartless nations?"
Afghan Rapper Escaped Teen Marriage by Singing About It
Sonita Alizadeh is now living and going to school in the US, and she’s still making music about social justice in Afghanistan.
Ethiopian Blogger Atnaf Berahane: Young, Courageous, and in Jail
This 26-year-old Ethiopian blogger's passion for free speech left him in chains.
Under a Shaky Ceasefire, Yemenis Struggle to Stay Connected to the World
Frequent electricity cuts, bombings and a dire humanitarian situation could exacerbate and completely isolate Yemen should internet and telecommunications services be cut.
Public Anger Only Grows After Guatemala Appoints Controversial Vice President
Guatemala has a new vice president, elected by the majority of government: Magistrate Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre, who in 2013 declared all the genocide proceedings against former dictator Rios Montt invalid.
Bahrain Court Upholds Six Month Sentence Against Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Over Tweet
A Bahrain court today upheld a six-month sentence for human rights defender Nabeel Rajab over a tweet. Rajab is already in custody under investigation for other tweets.
An Egyptian Official Resigns After Saying Garbage Collectors’ Sons Cannot Become Judges
In Egypt, a janitor's son cannot become a judge, says the country's Minister of Justice Mahfoodh Saber, whose comments spurned a social media storm, forcing him to resign.
‘They Belong in the Classroom, Not in Prison': Myanmar's Detained Student Protesters
"They belong in the classroom, not in prison. That's why I painted their portraits."
Suspended Algerian Satirical TV Show Vows to Make a Comeback Online
''Eldjazairia weekend'' an Algerian satirical TV show, co-hosted by GV contributor Abdou Semmar, was suspended from air on April 24, due to political pressure.
Human Rights Abuses in Azerbaijan: We Can’t Stay On The Sidelines Anymore
Arzu Geybullayeva calls on Western leaders to speak out on political prisoners in Azerbaijan as the country prepares to host the European Games.
Ten Years on from Andijan Massacre, an Uzbek Pleads for Freedom
"I am not a terrorist. I have never done anything like that."
Open Letter to President Obama From a Bahraini Human Rights Defender
AlMahafdah, a former political detainee in Bahrain, asks President Obama to "be the voice of the people of Bahrain" when he meets the crown prince of the kingdom on Wednesday.
Hong Kong Citizens Want Legal Protections for Their Metadata
Should government agencies really be able to look at Hong Kongers' telephone metadata without any oversight from the courts?
Ananta Bijoy Das Becomes Third Free-Thinking Blogger Killed This Year in Bangladesh
Das promoted critical thinking about religion, which sparked the ire of Islamic hardliners in Bangladesh. He was hacked to death by a group of masked people with machetes.
Human Rights Defender’s Hunger Strike Protests Torture in Infamous Bahraini Prison
Abulhadi Al-Khawaja has been on hunger strike for more than three weeks to call attention to the continuing violations and torture of inmates in Jaw prison.
The Humanitarian Crisis You Haven't Heard of in Burundi
Following Burundi President Nkurunziza's announcement of his candidacy for a third term (unconstitutional by Burundi's existing law), a massive humanitarian crisis has hit the country as at least 50,000 refugees have fled the country after scenes of violence were reported in several cities. The occurrence of violence were often posted...
