Stories about Human Rights from May, 2014
Maldives’ Morality Police Target Youth
Maldives has one of the most youthful populations in the world with more than half of the population under the age of 25. But a lot of them are being increasingly harassed by moral policing by the society and the authorities, reports Dhivehi Sitee blog.
Macedonian Blogger Warns About Resurgent Neo-Nazi Iconography
Commemorating Victory in Europe Day, Macedonian blog Anfas (“en face“) recently documenting images used by Facebook users to warn about resurgent fascism in a post titled “Images of shame – Current Macedonian Neo-Nazi Iconography”. The blogger also explained the importance of raising awareness of resurgent neo-Nazi iconography in Macedonia: Овој...
Death and Twitter: Reports from Ukraine
Today Russian journalist Ilya Azar reported on Twitter that members of Ukraine's newfangled National Guard had fired on civilian bystanders in Krasnoarmeysk.
It is a Tough Job Being an Opposition Leader in Zambia
Gershom Ndhlovu explains why it is a tough job being an opposition leader in Zambia: It is really a tough job to be an opposition leader in Zambia. You have to daily face the police, risk being teargased or even locked for doing the job that you must do —...
‘Worsening’ Human Rights Situation in Vietnam
The Vietnam Human Rights Network released its 2013 report about the ‘worsening’ human rights situation in Vietnam: …the human rights situation in Vietnam took a turn for the worse in 2013. The number of people detained for political views contrary to those of the ruling party increased, unabated police violence...
Dictatorship is Over But Press Freedom Still Under Threat in Myanmar
The Irrawaddy underscored the continuing difficulties experienced by Myanmar journalists despite the reforms implemented by the government …despite the ostensible changes in the way the government treats the media, the underlying mindset is much the same as in the past: Journalists have been given greater “space” within which to work,...
Why Blogging is a Threat to the Ethiopian Government
Beza Tesfaye explains why blogging is a threat to the Ethiopian government following the arrests of nine Ethiopian bloggers: As I write this, I am eerily reminded that in Ethiopia, expressing your views can get you a first class ticket to prison. From April 25 to 26, 2014, nine Ethiopian...
México: Senate Appoints the Seven Commissioners to the New IFAI
The Mexican Senate appointed the seven members of the new IFAI. There are some appointments among the political class.
Mauritanian Police Clamps Down on Black Protest
On May 4, 2014, Mauritanian police broke up [ar] a massive gathering in Nouakchott. People were commemorating [ar] the return of a group of Mauritanian blacks [ar] from Senegal in 2008 [en] , after being subjected to forced displacement in the aftermath of the bloody events [en] which occurred between 1989 and 1991. On April...
Saudi Blogger Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, 1000 Lashes
Yesterday, a Saudi court sentenced Raif Badawi to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes for setting up a liberal website.
50th Anniversary of Dictatorship in Brazil: A French Torturer in South America
Documents obtained by a researcher in France shed light on the activities of Paul Aussaresses, the executioner of Algiers, military attaché in Brazil in the 1970s.
Erykah Badu Still Plans to Perform for Gambian Dictator Yahya Jammeh
US singer Erykah Badu has become the target of criticism over a planned performance for President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia.
Alleged Human Rights Violations During Agrarian Strike in Colombia
The website People's Congress publicly denounces [es] human rights situation during the ongoing agrarian strike [es] in Colombia. They report alleged human rights violations in different regions: Catatumbo and Cúcuta, San Pablo–Bolívar, Sogamoso – Boyacá, Northern Santander- Hacarí, Yopal- Casanare, Boyacá, Berlín – Santander, Pinchote – Santander y Arauca. They...
Hong Kong: Domestic Worker Slapped, Kicked and Forced to Work 21 hours a Day
Another foreign domestic worker abuse case was exposed. The victim Rowena Uychiat was allegedly forced to work 21 hours a day (6am till 3am) without a day off. She claimed to have been slapped, kicked, verbally abused and had her hair pulled. Tom Grundy reported the case in detail.
China Detains Human Rights Lawyer After Tiananmen Meeting
This isn't Pu Zhiqiang's first detention. As an outspoken critic of the Chinese government's policies, he is monitored by security forces.
Trinidad & Tobago: An Argument for Gay Rights
One Trinidad and Tobago-based blogger, who is also a Director of the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, debates the issue of gay rights with a zealous religious group.
It's Not Easy Being Black in Cuba
The worst news for black and mixed-race Cubans is that there are no independent legal institutions that protect them in the face of government neglect. Iván's File Cabinet reports that non-whites are still marginalized in Cuba.
Universal Values, Foreign Money: Local Human Rights Organizations in the Global South
Despite local support, human rights organizations in the Global South depend on foreign funds. To better access local resource pools, LHROs will have to rethink strategies, perhaps reconsider some activities.
The Pakistani Blogger Who Couldn't Walk But Inspired Others to Run
Sarmad Tariq never let his paralysis stop him from traveling the world as a motivational speaker and marathon athlete. He died April 30 at age 38 in Pakistan.
Caribbean Joins Fight to #BringBackOurGirls
If our own children were to go missing we would want the world to come to a standstill and help us find them. We…ask that…you consider why so often women’s bodies become the battlefields upon which wars are fought. This is not a problem that involves a small town in...
