Stories about Human Rights from December, 2019
2019: A year of flipping scripts and changing narratives in Africa
2019, a year of changing narratives in Africa: Revolutions. Internet shutdowns. Tree-planting. Migration. Feminist songs. Media crackdowns. Cyclones and climate change. Opposition rising. Cultural icons dying. Illness, cures, and healing.
As Global Voices celebrates its quinceañera, 15 ‘coming-of-age’ posts from the Caribbean
Happy 15th birthday, GV! The Caribbean team picks 15 of its best posts from 2019, starting with violent street protests, a refugee crisis, and an inspiring story of justice. Part 1 of 5.
Indian police accused of brutality after violently dispersing student-led anti-CAA protest in Delhi
Protests and marches are set to continue across India condemning the police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University as-well-as demanding the scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Internet blocked as protests intensify in northeast India against the Citizenship Amendment Act
"India leads the world in internet blackouts. We all know what fascist governments do in the dark. Don’t be a bystander; speak now & speak loudly."
Gambian minister brought Myanmar to The Hague ‘in the name of humanity’
"...No one put pressure on President Jammeh to stop his atrocities. ... We don't want others to feel our pain or our fate," said The Gambia's Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
Anti-street harassment campaign in Trinidad & Tobago: ‘It's high time men are taught to do better’
Street harassment is all too common in Caribbean societies, but the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has begun an educational campaign to inspire behavioural change.
The extrajudicial killing of four accused rapists in India leads to debate about justice system
Many are applauding the police in Hyderabad for acting as judge, jury, and executioner.
Interview with Bektour Iskender, co-founder of Kyrgyz outlet under attack for corruption investigation
The story's whistleblower was shot dead in Istambul in November, and Kloop.kg battles a defamation lawsuit.
Taxing dissent: Uganda’s social media dilemma
Uganda’s social media tax essentially amounted to an internet shutdown, driving thousands offline and silencing dissent for others.
Protests against a media house in Pakistan mount
Pakistan's leading English-language daily Dawn Newspaper has increasingly been under threat with politically motivated attacks.
Battle-scarred: The lasting impact of the PolyU campus siege on Hong Kong’s protesters
"As the siege dragged on, reports emerged of the deteriorating mental conditions of the PolyU holdouts – which included erratic behaviour, paranoia, and even self-harm."
‘Burning books and burying scholars': Book burning causes uproar on Chinese social media
"How come young people just talked about the environmental impact of burning books? Are they not aware of the historical symbolism of “book burning and scholar burying”?"
India's citizenship bill fuels anti-Muslim prejudice fears
As India's ruling BJP pushes for the 'anti-Muslim' citizenship amendment bill, critics say that it violates India's secular constitution and threatens the very essence of India's plurality.
‘Creating Suspension Between Contradictory States': An interview with artist Parastou Forouhar
"I try to create the potential for suspension between contradictory states that will emotionally and psychologically engage viewers and make them ask questions."
11 birthdays in a prison: Interview with the daughter of Vietnamese dissident Tran Huynh Duy Thuc
"Whether by appeal for cassation review or by a resubmission request, we will fight until his release, to ensure that human rights are honored in Vietnam."
Ahead of 2020 elections in Ghana, citizens fight against extreme surge in data costs
The increased Communication Service Tax to 9% will create a huge barrier to affordability, increase existing digital inequalities and will be disproportionately felt in rural areas and among women.
Will Algeria disrupt internet access as election day nears?
With protesters taking to social media to spread information about what is happening on the ground, the Algerian authorities repeatedly resorted to disrupting access to networks and social media platforms.
#StandWithYuli: Solidarity for deported Indonesian domestic worker Yuli Riswati who covered Hong Kong protests
"We condemn this action which may be intended to intimidate non-permanent residents and deter them from involvement in or documenting and commenting on political events in Hong Kong."
Hong Kong protest artwork: Yellow Objects
"The exhibition 'Yellow Objects' is a mockery of the brutal and ruthless authority that refers to human being as objects, and a reminder to defend and uphold human dignity."
Tears with truth: The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
President Barrow’s triumph at the polls set the stage for "righting the wrongs" of the past. For Gambians, this interim leadership provided a reset button for transitional justice, following years of brutality.
Join Global Voices’ #WritingTowardFreedom Twitter chat on December 11, 2019
How has ethnic hate speech, mis- and disinformation and internet shutdowns become insidious threats to online freedom of expression in Africa? Join us for this discussion in a Twitter chat.