Stories about Human Rights from December, 2016
These Short Films by Young Cambodian Men Aim to Stop Sexual Harassment
Why stop sexual harassment? Young amateur filmmakers from Cambodia explored this question to encourage the public -- especially men -- to understand the impact of sexual harassment.
Military Trials of Journalists Cast Light on the Taboo of Criticizing the Army in Tunisia
Laws allowing military courts to handle cases involving citizens, including journalists and bloggers, continue to hold back Tunisia's democratic reforms.
Opposition-Minded Venezuelans Have Their Say on the Legacy of Cuba's Fidel Castro
Few countries were as in thrall to Castro as Venezuela, where many accuse him of enabling the abuses of the socialist government.
Two Young Activists Get 10 Years in Jail Each After Graffiti on Azerbaijan Patriarch's Statue
"I don’t want to be remembered by apologising in my final statement. I refuse to see myself as a prisoner. I am a lover of freedom."
Activist Arrested on Royal Insult Charges for Sharing BBC Article About Thailand's New King
Almost 2,500 Facebook users shared the post, but the police singled out an activist calling for the restoration of democracy in Thailand.
The Bengali New Year’s Celebration of Democracy and Diversity Is Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage
"As long as Bangladesh lives, there will be this type of New Year's celebration...This is the image of a secular Bangladesh.
Sudanese Government Targets Activists, Stifles Media Coverage of Civil Disobedience
The civil disobedience action began on 27 November after the government removed subsidies on electricity, fuel and medicine.
Egyptian Authorities Are Using Travel Bans to Crack Down on Human Rights Activists
"The government has been working for the last two years on restructuring the legislative system to violate the constitution. Even in the time of Mubarak we didn’t see this."
Russian Blogger Launches Campaign to Annul Anti-Extremism Law He Was Convicted of Violating
Blogger Anton Nossik wants to annul Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, a catch-all statute that prohibits "ctions aimed at the incitement of hatred or enmity."
Sleeping or Dead – Part 5: This Farce Called a Homeland
"You’re lucky, as some were transferred out today, before we had shifts for standing and sitting....we are managing by squatting and sleeping on each others’ shoulders.”
Filipino Activists Hold Solidarity Fast in Support of Political Prisoners
"They are persons caring for the marginalized sectors of the society but they were jailed for trumped up charges."
Vietnamese Court Upholds Jail Sentence for Land Rights Activist
"The Vietnamese government should urgently amend the land law and its grievance processes to protect farmers’ rights."
A Bangladeshi Railway Employee Saves a Man, Finally Gets Recognition
"The world seems better and nicer because of acts of a few brave and earnest people. My respect to Gateman Billal for his act of humanity."
Russia Ratchets Up Pressure on Google
Roskomnadzor, the agency that regulates Russian media, has issued instructions that will force Google to change its registration by the end of March.
Gambia Shocks the World With Peaceful Presidential Polls, Opposition Wins
The presidential election results and consequent concession of Yahya Jammeh came as a pleasant surprise to many Gambians -- and the rest of the world.
Dismantling Patriarchy at the Roots – One Video, One Conversation at a Time
Why are the aspirations of young girls’ treated differently from those of young boys? Why are girls prepared for housework from an early age and boys are allowed to play?
Attack on NGO Fighting for Rights of Textile Workers in Macedonia Highlights Dangers to Civil Society
An attack on the premises of an NGO that champions textile workers' rights, has undermined attempts to improve the terrible working conditions in Macedonia's garment industry .
Russia, China, and the Push for ‘Digital Sovereignty’
Russia and China's cyber cooperation is a marriage of convenience that reflects a shared priority: regime stability.
Netizen Report: China's New Cybersecurity Law Hardcodes Surveillance Practices Into Law (And Technology)
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Polls Open Amid Communications Blackout in The Gambia
The Gambia has shut off all external communications as citizens cast their votes in the country's presidential elections, by blocking both the internet and international phone calls.
Award-Winning Chinese Citizen News Site Founder Detained Amid Crackdown on Human Right Defenders
The founder of a Chinese citizen news site has been detained in what one human rights organization is calling "the escalation of President Xi Jinping’s relentless crackdown on civil society."