Stories about Human Rights from February, 2021
Saudi court reduces sentence of prominent doctor held since 2017
Unfamiliar pressure from the U.S. is seen to drive a breakthrough in the case of Dr Fitaihi, who was arrested, tortured, and banned from travel since 2017.
Some Western observers share Central Asia's misgivings about Alexey Navalny
"Western policy-makers even turn a blind eye to the fact that Navalny’s foreign and security policies run directly counter to Western objectives. Maybe they think it’s worth the gamble."
Alexey Navalny's views on migrants run counter to his pro-democracy discourse
Alexey Navalny has emerged as a rallying figure for liberal Russians and a symbol of Russian opposition, but his image among Central Asians – including Russia's migrant workers – is more contentious.
China blocks Clubhouse after netizens discuss Xinjiang and Tiananmen
For a brief moment in time, Clubhouse cracked the Great Firewall.
‘You messed with the wrong generation’: Daily protests pose strong challenge to Myanmar coup
"Today the people of Myanmar are rising up against the military regime, demanding democracy. This is no longer a protest. It's an uprising."
Indian farmers’ protests: Twitter withholds, then restores, prominent accounts by government order
Twitter restored the accounts after concluding they were "speech and newsworthy," a decision the Indian government decried: "Twitter cannot assume the role of a court and justify non-compliance."
Nearly a hundred Kurdish activists detained by Iran's security forces in 2021
An interview with Switzerland-based KMMG’s director reveals how recent arbitrary detentions of Kurds and other minorities coincides with the regime’s bid to fortify its rule amidst piling internal challenges.
Citizens launch civil disobedience campaign on second day of Myanmar coup
"Than Pone means iron bucket. Than Pone Tee means Playing Iron Buckets. In our tradition, playing Iron Buckets means casting out evil spirits."
Supreme Court steps in after sexual assault verdict leads to public outcry in India
Judge courts controversy by stating ‘no skin contact means no sexual assault’ in case of a child groping victim.
What happened in Myanmar on the first day of the coup
"People are disheartened by the news and mostly sharing information about each other’s whereabouts and safety measures. We have all seen this coming but it’s surreal when it actually happens."
Hong Kong to launch real-name registration of mobile SIM cards
If the bill passes, mobile companies would have to set up a database with their subscribers' data, which they'd have to store for at least 12 months after the SIM expires.