Stories from February, 2018
Netizen Report: Mexican NGOs Push for Independent Investigation of Malware Attacks
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
India's Investigation Agency ‘Defines’ Duties of a Journalist After Arresting Kashmiri Photojournalist Kamran Yousuf
"Indian authorities must stop trying to crush the independent press in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Authorities should immediately release Kamran Yousuf."
Australian MP George Christensen's Joke Gun Photo Denounced as Threat Against ‘Greenie Punks’
Just days after the Parkland Florida student massacre, an Australian politician posted a photo of himself firing a pistol asking, “You gotta ask yourself, do you feel lucky, greenie punks?”
Laughing in the Face of an Internet Shutdown In Bangladesh
"To stop the leaks, better to cancel the exam rather than shutting the internet down. Then you won't have to worry about leaks anymore."
Censorship in Serbia Hits a New Low After Newspaper ‘Edits’ an Obituary
A Serbian newspaper censored part of an obituary of a graphic artist, which noted that one of his last works was a book about censorship.
Tunisian Security Forces Target Journalists Covering Anti-Austerity Protests
The press in Tunisia is "too free," Tunisian president Essebsi said at a joint press conference with French president Macron on 31 January.
As Leaders Step Down, a Cautious Hope Rises on the African Continent
After the resignation of Zuma and Desalegn, "the mood on the continent is one of hope, on the one hand, and of palpable restraint and scepticism on the other."
Generations of Peasants Have Occupied Land in Paraguay's Neglected Countryside to Survive
Mariano Castro fought to create a home for his family the traditional way, by occupying land and forming settlements. For his sons, it went terribly wrong.
Men's Health Magazine in Kazakhstan Says Nuts to Women's Health
"If there are feminist campaigns, there should be jokes about feminist campaigns, otherwise it is discrimination against men."
Serbian Journalists Face Harassment for Investigating Spending by Defense Minister (and His ‘Aunt From Canada’)
In spite of threats, investigative journalists keep demanding accountability from Serbian Minister of Defense Aleksandar Vulin.
Protests in Trinidad's Capital as Residents Face Off with Police
Police say they shot and killed a man in a shootout, protestors claim it was an extrajudicial killing, wider society has no sympathy, and no solutions are being put forward.
“Do Others Know We Exist?”: A Nurse's Testimony from Syria's Besieged Eastern Ghouta
"We were crying for Umm Muhammad, and because we were afraid. We wondered whether we were going to face the same fate, and whether our children would be rendered motherless."
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of February 12-18, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 209 countries. Number 68 on the list? Honduras. And number 139? Somalia.
#ThemToo: Syrian Women Tell Stories of Rape in Regime Prisons
"Raped women are caught between the anvil of the regime and the hammer of society."
#MehfoozBachpan: Pakistani Activists Demand Policy to Safeguard Children from Sexual Abuse in 2018 Elections
"Protected childhood is a collective dream, each of us is responsible for our children...We will vote for protected childhood in next election."
At Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara Festival, Music Professionals Ask: Can One Song Really Change the World?
"This is an issue with the rights of all musicians to speak out. This tells me how powerful music is. If it wasn’t this strong, it wouldn’t be so feared."
Malaysian Government Ad Used Barking Rooster to Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dog
"This department needs to be more cultured or exposed to the understanding of other cultures. This is really embarrassing and reflects the ignorance of your department."
‘Voices for Momos’ Campaign Seeks to Protect Myanmar’s Last Remaining Elephants
Myanmar’s wild elephant population is estimated to be between 1,400 to 2,000.
As Some March to Honor a Pro-Nazi General in Sofia, Others Rally to Decry Fascism
"Lukov...was one of the fiercest advocates of Bulgaria’s Nazi-inspired 'Law for the Protection of the Nation' that, among other things, forced the country’s 50,000 Jews to wear yellow stars."
20 Years After the Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Ecuador, the LGBTI Community Continues to Be Punished
In the first part of this series, we gather testimonies that show how the forced confinement of LGBTI people contradicts recent legal evolutions that affirm citizens' rights.
Chinese State TV Lambasted for ‘Racist’ Lunar New Year Sketch Featuring Blackface
"My first Chinese New Year watching the annual CCTV spring gala and they trot out a Chinese lady in blackface...with a pet "monkey" (played by a man from Cote D'Ivoire)..."