Stories from January, 2018
Russians are Baffled by the United States Treasury's Latest Sanctions List
Russia’s political elite registered a collective smirk at the seemingly toothless report.
Crowdfunded Rescue Saves French Mountaineer on Pakistan's Nanga Parbat, but Her Climbing Partner Is Left Behind
"The Heroes of Nanga parbat Polish climbers who stopped their K2 climb and saved life on killer mountain in the darkness...You showed the world what a human life means"
Myanmar Digital Activists Come Together to Protect People's Rights Online at #DigitalRightsMM
Myanmar's mobile penetration rate has soared from 2.5 percent to more than 90 percent, bringing a wave of developments and difficulties in the digital rights realm.
A Victim of Police Brutality in Myanmar Seeks Justice While Confronting Racist Comments on Social Media
Hate speech comments attacking the complainant based on his facial appearance, skin color, and ethnic identity became more prominent than the original issue of police brutality.
The ‘Girls of Revolution Street’ Protest Iran's Compulsory Hijab Laws
"With religion and hijab there should be no force."
Meet ‘Uyatman’, the Kazakh Superhero out to Stop Women Behaving Indecently
"Uyat in Kazakhstan...can be creative and destructive. In the first instance, it is to educate children. In the latter, it is about harassment and aggression."
Who Is Responsible for Ending Sexual Violence in Somalia?
Although the rape issue has attracted attention from the Somali government, sexual violence against women and children remains rampant and the number of assault cases continues to grow.
Uzbekistan and its Migrants: A Tale of Two Presidents
"People have to look for jobs in other countries because we have not created conditions for them."
Polarized by Populism, Czech Society Braces for a Second Round of Presidential Elections
The election has driven ardent debates among citizens on and offline. As a parliamentary republic, the president has very limited executive powers, yet the election has polarized the nation.
Iranian Calligraphy Meets Comic Books and Western Pop Culture in Jason Noushin's Art
"Obviously, the influence of pop culture and traditional Persian calligraphy are at odds with each, but their combined visual impact is harmonious."
Iran Suspends Thousands of Drug-Related Death Sentences After Years of Human Rights Advocacy
"Ninety percent of the prisoners on death row for drug crimes were just unfortunate mules carrying drugs to pay for their daughter’s dowry or an operation for their mother."
Netizen Report: Can Brazil’s Government Use Google to Manipulate Public Opinion?
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Rejected by Australia and Condemned to Detention in Indonesia, Refugees Protest Life in Limbo
"Australian NGOs have denounced this 'Indonesian Solution', arguing that their government is paying Jakarta “hundreds of millions of dollars to detain and warehouse asylum seekers."
#MeToo Has Hit China's Universities, Despite Efforts of Internet Censors
After months of censorship, a student's viral account of sexual misconduct by a renowned university professor has forced the discussion into the open.
Afghanistan Reels From Two Deadly Attacks in Less than a Week
"A cowardly and heinous attack by a bunch of terrorists on a humanitarian organization that serves the Afghan children."
Veto Viber? Tax Telegram? Such Are Tajikistan's Tech Company Conundrums
Once asked why the government was raising a tax on mobile phone companies, the tax chief responded: "Now even barefooted ones have a mobile phone."
Offering ‘Beer, Meat and Oppression,’ A Carnival Group Wants To Celebrate Brazil's Military Dictatorship
The Public Ministry of São Paulo will investigate the organizers of the event which, according to the prosecutors, insults the rights to truth and memory and promotes apology for the crime of torture.
Would Amnesty for Drug Kingpins Achieve Peace in Mexico? Depends Who You Ask
A presidential candidate proposes amnesty as a solution to Mexico's internal conflict. Such a proposition is not novel in the region -- nor is the controversy it sparks.
#JusticeForAsifa: A Young Girl's Murder Shocks Jammu And Kashmir Residents — But Not the National Media
Nationally, reactions to the incident have been sporadic, with many Indians refraining from commenting or staging protests against the heinous crime.
Ugandans Grow Anxious Over Incidents of Deadly Viral Fever
The death of nine-year-old Bridget Nalunkuuma in the central Ugandan town of Nakaseke has rattled residents who fear the girl may have suffered from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever. Eight other people have...
Protests Underscore the Potential Power of Iran's Access to Information Law
This is an opportune time to fully enforce efforts towards transparency after Iran's December-January protests. The first step must be a full implementation of Iran’s Access to Information law.
