Stories about Human Rights 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."
The aftermath of #EndSARS: The Twitter ban and what it means for young Nigerians
The nationwide #EndSARS movement against police brutality which took the country by storm in October 2020 demonstrated the power of digital media when used as a tool for advocacy.
Is China exporting its surveillance state to Venezuela?
One of the largest Chinese defense companies has been pointed out for providing the Venezuelan government software to block access to the Internet and to spy on its detractors.
South Asia mourns Indian feminist icon Kamla Bhasin
Kamla Bhasin, a pioneer of the women’s rights movement in South Asia, died on September 25, 2021 in New Delhi, India. Activists remembered her on social media and mourned her death.
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.
Life during the pandemic: An interview with former refugee, exiled cartoonist Eaten Fish
"I would like to tell other fellow artists that they should never stop trying, they should never stop searching and they should never be afraid of sharing their opinion."
An investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future: Compensating survivors of wartime sexual violence
"Whether because of physical disability, psychological trauma or community stigmatization, many survivors face barriers to earning a living, which, unfortunately, may lead to a permanent reduction in their quality of life."
Shooting in Kazakhstan leaves five dead after financial dispute over real estate
A court ordered the eviction of a Kazakhstan family that had defaulted on its bank loan. The head of the household opened fire against the authorities enforcing the eviction.
Behind Chinese Wikipedia user ban: threats, verbal attacks and election canvassing
The Foundation explained that the radical steps were taken as "some users have been physically harmed" as a result of the 'exposure of personal information to users in mainland China.'
Belarusian authorities rule to liquidate domestic violence shelter
The liquidation of Radislava is part of an ongoing crackdown on NGOs, independent media, and activists in Belarus that intensified this summer following a year of protests against fraudulent elections.
Chinese firms in Nigeria face widespread labour abuse allegations, tainting bilateral relationship
Nigerians in that company are "mandated to call their Chinese employers master or mistress. Male Nigerian workers are physically assaulted, while their female counterparts are sexually assaulted,” writes a whistleblower.
Retelling indigenous Tamang people’s torment and trauma through sacred seeds, handmade paper and slates
Nepali artist Subas Tamang uses the seeds of the Damocles tree, handmade paper from the bark of paper plants, and slates to tell the stories of the indigenous Tamang people.
COVID-19 pushes Armenian families into poverty
Before Covid-19 struck Armenia, Avetisyan says a steady stream of construction and day labor work kept his family fed and housed.
Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy union coalition to disband, cites threats to safety
Pro-Beijing media outlets labelled the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions as a foreign agent, a potential offence under the National Security Law.
Former Surinamese president Dési Bouterse convicted of murder for the second time—but will he go to prison?
If Bouterse is not imprisoned after this second conviction, it will not sit well with many Surinamese who view him first and foremost as a murderer.
The construction of Chinese patriotic masculinity: ‘sissies will ruin the nation’
The Chinese regulators have banned effeminate images and idols on both television and video streaming sites since September 2, 2021.
Dalit erasure, or how Rolling Stone India failed to demonstrate diligent storytelling
A special cover by pop culture magazine Rolling Stone India and music platform Majjaa carrying interviews of singers Dhee and Vincent de Paul stirred controversy and widespread displeasure.
Myanmar LGBTQ makeup artist swaps beauty salon for border hideout and revolution
"I know my strength is not [in military activities] . . . I see myself as a pillar to help the revolution be victorious."
