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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from March, 2018
‘They Beat Me Everyday With an Electric Cable…They Smashed My Head Into the Walls’
Lensa, who is from Ethiopia, is one of many migrant domestic workers in Lebanon forced to work and live in difficult conditions under Lebanon's notorious "kafala" (meaning sponsorship) system.
How English-Language Pronouns Are Taught Around the World
Globally, close to 1 billion people are learning English as a Foreign Language and all of them encounter binary gender pronouns from the earliest lessons.
Tunisian MPs Propose Legislation Criminalising ‘Cyber Defamation’
"This bill is the result of a repressive mindset restrictive of freedoms, reflecting a nostalgia for the dictatorship era".
A Muslim Scholar Seeks to Link Israel and Indonesia Through the Hebrew Language
"I told my family that what I'm doing might have uncertain consequences, but it's something that needs to be done."
On World Poetry Day, Some Verses Straight From Persia's Heart
"The sadness in my heart, like a mountain/The heart under your chest, like a stone."
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of March 12-18, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from the majority of the world's countries. Number 99 on the list? Ghana. And number 20? Madagascar.
Ghouta's Youth Become War Reporters to Shine a Light on Suffering Civilians
"I want to be a journalist to convey the innocents' suffering or study chemistry to make medicine to the people." - Noor, 12 years old, Eastern Ghouta
Iranian Detainees Face Privacy Violations, Public Smear Campaigns
Two cases in Iran highlight new signs of violations of due process and in how personal electronic devices are seized and the right to privacy is violated.
Netizen Report: Internet Censorship Bill Looms Large Over Egypt
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Is Censorship Coming Back to Tunisia? Court Order Bans ‘Blue Whale’ Online Game
The implications of this decision, if upheld on appeal, would set a new precedent for internet censorship in Tunisia.
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of March 5-11, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 208 countries. Number 159 on the list? Guyana. And number 15? Kazakhstan.
For Jordanian Women, a Year of Hard-Won Progress and Continuing Challenges
Despite a successful campaign to repeal a legal loophole allowing rapists to marry their victims, there is plenty left to do in the struggle to achieve gender equality in Jordan.
Evidence Says Iran Throttled Telegram Connections After January Protests
User reports and various data suggests even after the Iranian government removed censorship on the popular messaging and social media platform, they were still slowing down speeds.
A Record Number of African Athletes Participated in Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
"A matter of pride for the african continent which doesn’t make light of the difficulties faced by African athletes to get here."
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of February 26-March 4, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 204 countries. Number 129 on the list? Martinique. And number 13? Taiwan.
In Effort to Lift FIFA Ban, Iraq Hosts Saudi Arabia for First Time in Nearly 40 Years
"Iraqis raise the Saudi and Iraqi flags with love unseen in 30 years."
In Damascus, Solidarity with Besieged East Ghouta is Dangerous
"There is nothing we can do. They have military might on their side. Even the UN and international community have proved inept. We are trapped in our helplessness."
‘May It Be a Quick Death!’ The Testimony of East Ghouta Dentist Aous Al Mubarak
"It is difficult for me to describe the exhaustion, the disaster and the horrors, and their cumulative effect over the past seven years..."
The 2018 Lebanese Elections: What Led to Them?
Many are now wondering whether independent parties have a chance in the upcoming Lebanese elections, but nothing can be certain when it comes to politics in Lebanon.
Iran's Ahwazis Continue to Suffer as Two More Disappeared Activists are Executed
The cruelty, injustice and lack of due process against Iran's Ahwazis continue: several deaths remain shrouded in mystery, with the added horror of families being denied burial rights.
Morocco-EU Fisheries Deal Ignores Occupation of Western Sahara
"The trade agreement between EU and Morocco concerning fishery and agricultural products is an important part of turning the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara into a profitable one."
About our West Asia & North Africa coverage
