Stories about Human Rights from October, 2020
For journalists in Kenya, ‘2020 is the worst year on record’
Since the novel coronavirus outbreak in Kenya in March, more than 47 cases of arbitrary arrest, assault and harassment have been perpetrated against bloggers, online activists and human rights defenders.
Thailand's democracy protests reflect rising dissatisfaction over the monarchy
Criticizing the monarchy is a crime in Thailand yet protesters, especially young activists, continue to organize rallies calling for monarchy reforms.
The Caribbean's case for reparations: Part III
Reparatory justice can play an important role in dealing with challenges like disease, climate change and COVID-19, all of which pose existential threats to the region.
Myanmar's election commission censors speeches of political parties in run-up to election
"This censorship seems like something the dictatorship did. They shouldn’t mess with the party’s tone. Shouldn’t there be freedom of expression?"
Understanding pandemic fatigue
As we continue to struggle to maintain safety measures, it is important for us to shift from a culture of blaming to one that supports and leads with kindness.
‘A Fearless Song': Guatemalan women protest violence against women through music
"We sing without fear, we ask for justice; we shout for every disappeared woman"
New book tells stories of suffering and resistance from Iran’s female prisons
In "White Torture," Narges Mohammadi interviews 12 female political prisoners—and shares her own experiences in an Iranian jail, where she spent eight and a half years.
The struggle to end Nigeria's brutal SARS police unit continues
The question of control over SARS has not been adequately answered. The constitution vested control of the police to the presidency under the police chief. But that chain-of-command has broken.
The Caribbean's case for reparations: Part II
"We transformed these broken colonies into functional democracies without any support […] and now we have this debt crisis because we were abandoned by those who plundered our wealth."
‘Lazy’ Nigerian youth mobilize #EndSARS protest from social media to the streets
Described as ‘lazy’ by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, with a significant number unemployed, stereotyped as ‘unserious’, these digitally savvy youth have proved critics wrong.
Facebook to include Holocaust denial in its definition of banned hate speech
Human rights organizations and academic institutions praised Facebook's decision to address Holocaust denial and related conspiracy theories through enhanced self-regulation.
Hong Kong civil servants forced to choose between freedom of expression and their jobs
Following the enactment of the national security law, Hong Kong authorities included a "loyalty clause" in civil servants' employment contracts.
A new book honors female resistance during Brazil's 21-year dictatorship
A new book brings together 15 profiles of women who had leading roles in the resistance against the 1964 military dictatorship in Brazil.
Vietnamese activist and journalist Pham Doan Trang arrested for ‘anti-state propaganda’
"I don’t need freedom just for myself, that would be too easy. I want something much greater: freedom and democracy for all of Vietnam."
The Caribbean's case for reparations: Part I
"When a wrong has been committed, it must be repaired. If you recognise that colonization has been a source of massive crimes against humanity, then reparations are legitimate."
Rights groups in Tunisia mobilize against police protection bill
Article 7 of the bill grants security forces immunity from prosecution for the use of excessive and lethal force against citizens in situations “they deem dangerous.”
In rural Malawi, inadequate health care facilities is a matter of life or death
Malawi's new government under the Tonse Alliance was elected on a range of promises, including the delivery of essential health care in the country.
New evidence indicates Hong Kong police helped China arrest 12 activists fleeing for Taiwan
On August 23, the activists fled Hong Kong by speedboat for Taiwan, where would seek asylum, but were intercepted by the Chinese coast guard and are now detained in Shenzen.
Thai ‘Bad Students’ protest against abuse in schools, call for Education Minister to resign
The protest highlighted the abuses inflicted on students in several Bangkok schools
Ignored by the Pope, Hong Kong cardinal leaves Rome vowing to protest appointment of Beijing-blessed bishop
As the Holy See normalizes relationships with Beijing, a battle over the appointment of a new Hong Kong bishop ensues.
Facebook denies accusations of fuelling hate speech and pro-BJP bias in India
On September 16, Facebook India’s chief issued a statement denying accusations that the social media giant is making profits by giving a platform to hate speech in India.