Stories about Human Rights from September, 2020
Al Jazeera Balkans crew attacked at a right-wing opposition party protest in Skopje
Assaulted female journalist insisted on reporting the incident to the police and tracking the attacker, as a way to stand up to a culture of impunity for violence against journalists.
A Chinese city withdraws ‘civility code’ following online criticism
Suzhou – a Chinese city near Shanghai – launched a “civility code” in early September to rank citizens’ civility. As negative comments flooded in, the city called an end to the testing.
Website exposing military corruption blocked in Myanmar
"It shows the increased intolerance by the government on freedom of expression and that they are trying to cover up the crimes and corruption of the military."
In DR Congo, will new legislation protect citizens’ digital rights?
In Democratic Republic of Congo, a citizen movement is underway to reclaim digital rights that have been violated for years under a vague and outdated legislation.
Why Malawi urgently needs a data protection law
In January 2018, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) announced a mandatory national sim card registration exercise tied to the national ID process.
Thousands of Salvadorans endure COVID-19 without running water to wash their hands
"I am so frustrated and angry that I am considering leaving El Salvador once the pandemic is over. "
Historic peace deal in Sudan signed during historic flooding
A historic peace deal with rebel groups in Sudan also comes during historic flooding that has ushered in a humanitarian disaster. What are the government’s plans to make life easier?
How churches became entangled in Belarus’ political crisis
As the crisis drags on, the leader of Belarus' Catholics was denied entry into the country and his Orthodox counterpart was replaced. Both had publicly criticised the crackdown on protesters.
Indian scientists pen letter against government slashing of environmental protections
The letter says the updates to the Environmental Impact Assessment norms will encourage projects with no prior clearance to commence operations and eventually get regularised by paying a fine.
What's happening in Thailand? Youth activists rally to protect democracy, freedom of speech
An explainer about the ongoing youth-led protests in Thailand.
Surveillance in Lebanon: A crisis of privacy
Intrusions on citizens’ privacy in Lebanon are pervasive and often conducted without proper judicial oversight.
For Asian activists, boycotting Disney's ‘Mulan’ says no to China's nationalist propaganda, censorship and police brutality
"What we're boycotting is the Western commercialization (Disney) of Chinese nationalism. . . which points to how intertwined and convoluted the interests of global capital really are."
Myanmar activist poet convicted for protesting against internet shutdown
The protest featured the unfurling of a banner that read: “Is the internet being shut down to hide war crimes and killing people?”
COVID-19 leaves Indian tea workers struggling for survival
The Indian tea industry is facing losses that hamper the already tenuous well-being of labourers, whose stark economic reality has led them getting back to work during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Julian Assange supporters rally to defeat extradition to United States
"The extradition to the US of a publisher and journalist, for engaging in journalistic activities while in Europe, would set a very dangerous precedent."
In Sri Lanka, affected families resist climate of fear on International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Thousands of people, primarily ethnic Tamils, are believed to have been forcibly disappeared while in state custody during the final years of the 1983-2009 civil war. Their families still seek answers.
‘Khon Kaen has had enough': Pro-democracy activists protest in northeast Thailand
The youth-led protest actions in Thailand are not just happening in the capital Bangkok. Here's a report of a major rally in the country's northeast region.
Netizens across former Yugoslavia celebrate 75 years of women's suffrage
"And women managed to win that right -- be careful not to faint -- under communism."
Detention of Chinese-Australian TV presenter Cheng Lei by China called out as ‘hostage diplomacy’
"Canberra should be doing all it can to ensure she [Cheng Lei] is released from “residential surveillance” as soon as possible"
Child rape victim doxxed by anti-abortion protesters in Brazil
Brazil registers around six abortions per day among girls aged from 10 to 14 years old who become pregnant after being raped.
‘We could present our revolution at a design festival': a Belarusian artist reflects on protest imagery
Many of the banners and placards waved by Belarusian protesters are works of art in their own right. Theirs is a mass movement with an artistic sensibility, says Darya Sazanovich.