Stories about Human Rights from September, 2016
Netizen Report: Swiss Citizens Say Yes to Surveillance
Swiss activists lose referendum on privacy, Jordanian authorities ban media coverage of writer’s assassination, and Mexico is spending even more money on surveillance tools than was previously known.
An Iranian-Canadian Academic Is Released, but Iran's Crackdown on Women's Rights Activists Continues
Efforts to increase women's participation in February's parliamentary elections were met with a campaign of repression from hardline institutions in Iran.
In Defense of My Right to Abortion in Macedonia
"Choosing not to bear a child for whom a nurturing environment cannot be guaranteed isn't a denial of responsibility— it's the ultimate assumption of responsibility for oneself and the world."
Mexico's Attorney General Secretly Purchased Costly Spyware (Again)
The Mexican government, for many years, allocated millions of dollars to acquiring highly intrusive digital spy technology without being transparent on how they were using it.
I Am Lucky to Have a Syrian Passport
"Do I appear fidgety? Maybe it is because I don’t understand how someone would ever answer “Yes” to the question: 'Are you a member of a secret banned organization?'"
Kuwait Detains Activist Sara Al-Drees for Insulting the Country's Ruler
The pro-democracy activist has previously served jail time for the same charge.
The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast: We, the People
This week, we speak to our contributors Elizabeth Rivera, Giovanna Salazar and Juan Tadeo about popular discontent with politics in Mexico.
Fidencio Sanchez’s Inspiring Story Highlights the Best of Social Media—and the Plight of Latino Immigrants
"At a time when Donald Trump is calling Mexican immigrants drug dealers and rapists, the image of this hard-working Mexican immigrant has become a defiant symbol that challenges hateful stereotypes."
Vietnamese Land Activist Cấn Thị Thêu Has Braved Violence, Arrest and Prison
"I will live in a way that they will see that their brutality will never threaten our will to fight. We will hold on to our land until the end."
Artist Draws Attention to the Plight of Child Laborers and Young Women in Myanmar
"Art becomes more important for the people to see and feel the reality, and motivate them to make changes in society."
Animations, TV Shows, and Personal Testimonies Help Colombians Understand the (Possible) End of Conflict
"Every time nations go through a peace process, humanity as a whole takes a step forward."
What Will Happen to Colombia's Youth in the Aftermath of War?
"I'm a direct victim of war and armed conflict. Yet if I have to give my hand to the murderers, I'm ready to do so because I believe in forgiveness."
Jordanian Authorities Impose Media Gag After Writer's Killing
Jordanian authorities have banned media coverage of the assassination of Nahed Hattar, a writer who was shot dead on September 25 by a gunman in the capital Amman.
Two Years and Still No Justice, but Mexico Has Not Forgotten Ayotzinapa's Students
"Mexican institutions' standard: 111 detained in the #Ayotzinapa case and no one knows for sure what actually happened. How stupid, right?"
Allegations of Rigged Ethnic Hungarian Voting in Croatia’s Latest Election
The number of people who registered to vote as ethnic Hungarians dramatically increased between Croatia's last two elections. Why?
Polish Lawmakers Move Forward With a New Abortion Ban That Critics Say Will Be ‘Hell for Women’
Poland's “Black Protest” movement picks up steam, after lawmakers vote to proceed with legislation that will criminalize abortions in nearly all circumstances, threatening women and doctors with prison.
9 Things to Love About Afghanistan
Some of the world's best bread, melons and pomegranates, plus a diverse people for whom hospitality is second nature. What could possibly go wrong?
Sudanese Authorities Use ‘Pornography’ as Evidence in Criminal Trial of Human Rights Advocates
Sudanese authorities are using what they deem as "pornographic" and "immoral" evidence in a trial of ten civil society activists, six of whom are facing capital punishment charges.
Iran Executes Hundreds of People Each Year in Its UN-Funded War on Drugs
Those who are executed are often individuals who are marginalized in Iranian society, such as undocumented migrants and refugees from neighbouring Afghanistan and ethnic and religious minorities.
Reformist Editor Arrested Ahead of Iranian President’s Trip to the United Nations
Sadra Mohaghegh, the social affairs editor of the reformist Shargh newspaper, is well known for his reports on environmental issues and informative social media postings.
Poles Dress in Black to Protest Legislation That Would Mean a Near Total Ban on Abortions
Thousands of Poles share photos of themselves dressed in black to protest against legislation that would criminalize almost all kinds of abortion and toughen the country's already severe anti-abortion laws.
