Stories about Human Rights from October, 2016
WhatsApp and Viber Blocked on Election Day in Montenegro
Parliamentary elections in Montenegro had been marred with allegations of irregularities, reported via social networks, and a temporary ban on use of Viber, WhatsApp and similar messaging apps.
An Animated Video Explains the Powers of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Not sure what the court does? This video might help.
More Naughty Than Nice: The Dutch Government’s Approach to the Black Pete Tradition
Evidence shows that the tradition of Black Pete is having a negative impact in the Netherlands, especially on young people, but the Dutch government has failed to tackle the problem.
The U.S.'s Deportation of Haitians Shows That Asylum Applicants Are Far From Equal Under the Law
"Events like the 2010 earthquake should be basis for humanitarian asylum. Does sending people back to a country without a working infrastructure and facing famine and disease constitute justice?"
She Needs Justice: The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast
This week, we’ll introduce you to women seeking or achieving justice in Poland, Uruguay, Russia and Syria.
A Transgender Woman’s Modest Election Win Is a Huge Victory for Brazil’s Trans Community
"No one cried for us. On the contrary. To many families, as it still is today, it’s a relief when they kill us or when we die."
Only ‘Foreign Agents’ Share Stories About Happy Times in the U.S., Says Russian Court
The American Alumni Club joins a list of 146 organizations that have been designated as "foreign agents" by the Russian Ministry of Justice. The club's crime? Reposts on social media.
Ethiopia's State of Emergency: ‘The Last Sequence of a Brutal Authoritarian Regime'?
"We all know what #StateOfEmergency means,The usual suspects (our friends and activist we know) r in eminent danger now.It is sad."
New Abortion Ban Proposals in Poland Mean the ‘Black Protest’ Movement Isn't Over Yet
"I am counting on another Black Protest against the barbaric statement of Kaczyński who wants to create a hell. A protest that will defeat him."
Hong Kong Citizens Express Dismay as Macau's Border Control Turns Them Away
Some were former activists, which has led many to question whether the Hong Kong government has a broad black list, which it shares with Macau authorities and Chinese authorities.
Former Guantanamo Prisoner Risks Death From Hunger Strike in Effort to Be Reunited With Family
"They have closed the doors on me and left me without any solution and this is the only path that I've found."
Will Pakistan Carry Out a Threat to Expel 2.5 Million Afghan Refugees?
After decades of mixed hospitality, Islamabad says it can no longer host refugees from its war-torn neighbour.
Following a Big Scoop, Prominent Journalist Cyril Almeida Is Barred From Leaving Pakistan
"Am concerned, possibly convinced, more than 24hrs after the travel ban was imposed that govt is planning to take further, uglier actions."
Blinded, Married, and Turned Loose in the Ring: Three Stories of Girls in Modern-Day India
Global Voices reviews a few stories covered by the Video Volunteers community's citizen journalists, showing how girls in India face and cope with various gender-related challenges.
Ethiopian Authorities Shut Down Mobile Internet and Major Social Media Sites
Those close to the situation fear this may be the beginning of a dangerous new phase after 12 months of protests.
Activists, Students, and Survivors Commemorate Thailand’s Forgotten Massacre
"We can never forget – 40 years on, and still no one has been found responsible. They were violent, and unbelieavably cruel."
Indonesia Drafts New Ban on Cyberbullying, But Activists Say They're the Target
"The cyber law is used as an effective tool to spread fear against voices who want to unmask injustices in this country."
WhatsApp Reportedly Blocked in Yemen, Mobile Operator Cites ‘Technical Issues’
Censorship of online content has surged in Yemen since the beginning of the conflict opposing Houthi rebels and forces loyal to president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
Airstrikes by Saudi-Led Coalition Kill At Least 140 in Yemen, Injuring Hundreds More
Airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting a funeral left at least 140 people dead, making this the single largest massacre since the start of Yemen's civil war in 2015.
Russia Remembers Slain Journalist Anna Politkovskaya, Ten Years On
Today Russians remember Anna Politkovskaya, one of the country's leading investigative journalists who was shot and killed in the elevator of her apartment building ten years ago.
Bangladesh Introduces ‘Smart’ National Identity Cards
Collecting massive amounts of personal and biometric data opens up thorny issues around security and surveillance. As the database is built up, who will gain access to it?