Stories about Human Rights from March, 2017
Jamaican Activist Arrested Under Cybercrime Law Amid Her Campaign Against Sexual Violence
"If the Tambourine Army believe they have exhausted all avenues of ‘proper’ ways to advocate, then I say do what you must, but please don’t give up the fight."
UAE Authorities Arrest One Rights Activist and Extend the Detention of Another
On 20 March police arrested human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor from his home. Meanwhile, UAE authorities have refused to release Osama al-Najjar, despite him having served out his prison sentence.
Brazil’s Deadly Prison System and the Internet Comedians Cheering It On
A crisis in Brazil's prisons has raised alarms about systemic violence, and also highlighted a vocal segment of Brazilian society apparently cheering on the bloodshed.
‘Those Who Tortured Him [Should] Tell Us the Truth': Tunisian Commission Hears Net Freedom Testimonies From Dictatorship
The Truth and Dignity Commission is investigating rights abuses committed during the dictatorship era, including internet freedom violations.
India Fights to Bring ‘My Freedom Day’ to Its 12 Million Slaves
This year, roughly 12 million slaves in India couldn't celebrate My Freedom Day. That number could rise to 18 million, if more isn't done to help India's most vulnerable.
In Northern Sri Lanka, Incidents of Military Intimidation Threaten Reconciliation
"There was clearly anger from the side of the military that people were getting their land back."
Alleged Attacks on Online Media Follow the Tragic Death by Fire of Young Women in Guatemala
A local media outlet that published testimonies of some of the victims of the shelter fire suffered a DDoS attack.
A Visit to a Moscow Mental Health Center
Vera Shengelia, a Russian journalist and a mental health activist, recently visited a young man at a residential care center for adults in Moscow. The experience shook her.
Photography Project Urges Mexicans Never to Forget Crimes that Have Gone Unpunished
"State crimes in our country remain unpunished since the same system that committed them covers them up. Without justice they remain as open sores."
UAE Court Sentences Jordanian Journalist Tayseer al-Najjar to Prison
UAE authorities took issue with a Facebook post that Tayseer al-Najjar published before he had even moved to the country.
Netizen Report: Azerbaijani Bloggers Targeted with Legal Threats, Spearphishing
Censorship is up in France, China is censoring scientists (again), and Facebook tells developers to stop using network data for surveillance.
A Syrian Activist's Japanese-Language Message to the People of Japan
"Syria is witnessing a revolutionary call for freedom and dignity for its entire people." Will Japan help?
Guatemala Mourns Dozens of Girls at a Children’s Shelter Left to Die in a Fire
“The girls rebelled and set fire to their mattresses so they would be allowed out of their rooms.” But they weren't.
Syrian Civil Society in Douma Navigates a Tough Crackdown
Fundamentalist backlash to a magazine article has thrown civil society in Douma and Eastern Ghouta into turmoil, as activists and journalists struggle to get back to work.
Macedonians Mourn Folk Singer Vanja Lazarova, Whose Plight Inspired Facebook Activism
Vanja Lazarova became part of digital activism history in Macedonia after her tough circumstances late in life inspired the innovative use of Facebook as a tool to petition the government.
In Kyrgyzstan, Prosecutors Sue Media for Offending President
"By advising him to sue internet publications, they are really doing him a bad turn."
Indonesians Gleefully Welcome Saudi King, But Activists Are Wary of Riyadh's Influence
"Saudi learns pluralism from Indonesia. We learn Wahhabism from Saudi. We're even," wrote a Twitter user during the visit.
South Africans Want Their Government's Hands Off Social Media
South Africa's Minister of State Security announced that his government is contemplating regulating social media to counter false narratives and the spread of fake news.
Jaysh Al-Islam Is Leading Peace Talks in Geneva, While Clamping Down on Speech in Syria's Eastern Ghouta
The group controlling the region has shut down a magazine and five well-known civil society organisations, according to activists.
