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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from September, 2021
Qatar urged to release 21 detainees held for protesting ‘discriminatory’ election laws
The laws, ratified by the Qatari ruler to regulate the upcoming vote, bars citizens who are classified as "naturalized" rather than "native" from running in elections, voting, or both.
Can LGBTQ+ rights activism be the key to reversing retrogressive policies in the Middle East?
"From Egypt to Turkey to Iran, governments are pushing back against LGBTQ+ inclusion, even resorting to social media and mobile phones to track and target the community."
In Turkey, a citizen sentenced to prison for insulting the president
Since getting elected as president in 2014, some "100,000 people have been accused of defaming the president," based on Article 299 of the Penal Code in Turkey.
Turkish students protest as rent prices skyrocket
In an effort to solve this crisis, a group of students launched the Movement of the Unsheltered, demanding lower housing and rent prices.
Turkey’s Uyghur dilemma in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
As economic ties between Ankara and Beijing strengthened, Turkey's policies on the treatment of Uyghurs in China weakened.
Syrian migrants fall victims to “human trafficking mafia” in Libyan prisons
'The EU is responsible for Libya’s barbarism directly, or by turning a blind eye to its actions, as armed groups profiting from migrants are funded, and complicity in these crimes go unpunished.'
In Turkey, environmentalists struggle to preserve the city's remaining green spaces
Since 2014 the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been fighting to open the grove to development projects, much to the ire of community environmentalists.
Saudi's first batch of women military graduates encourages more debate on gender roles
Reactions on social media varied between those welcoming the decision, others who praised Saudi rulers for enabling it, and those who consider women unfit for combat or cited religious bans
In Turkey, first large anti-vaccine rally gets green light from the local government
The rally that took place at one of Istanbul neighborhoods, was approved by Istanbul Governor Office and was attended by well known vaccine opponents.
In Turkey, religious cleric joins calls to censor social media
Ali Erbas, the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Turkey suggests using Islamic jurisprudence to control social media platforms.
Turkey and China in the eastern Mediterranean: Partners or competitors?
China and Turkey continue to collaborate on their visions for trans-continental integration, though should Ankara's political and military ambitions increase, Beijing might reconsider its role as a reliable BRI partner.
Renewed calls for government protection after another Kuwaiti man kills woman relative
Activists call for shelters for women facing abuse at home, and the abolishing of article 153 in Kuwait's penal code which reduces the punishment for honor killings.
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party turns 20
Two decades into AK Party rule, its popularity is dwindling and its ties with western governments have deteriorated significantly as the country is facing an economic and democratic precipice.
Turkey's struggle against natural disasters: wildfires, drought, floods, and a possible earthquake
In light of recent natural disasters and weak governmental response, many wonder whether the government is prepared to handle its worst disaster yet — a possible earthquake in Istanbul.
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