Stories about Human Rights from June, 2019
In pictures: Nepal holds parade during international Pride Month
Participants demanded equal rights, including same-sex marriage, and were able to educate people about the diversity of the queer community, well beyond the term LGBTQ+.
Tanzania reinstates controversial sanitary pad tax
Bringing back the tax on sanitary pads in Tanzania has triggered a major debate on the impact it will have on girls and women.
Detergent ad causes uproar among conservative audiences in Pakistan
The advert ends with Pakistan's women's cricket team captain Bisma Maroof saying “these are not statements but stains."
Netizen Report: Conflict triggers internet shutdowns in Mauritania, Myanmar and Ethiopia (again)
Struggles for political power in Myanmar, Mauritania and Ethiopia led to widespread shutdowns of internet services this week.
China's censored histories: The evolving blacklist on Tiananmen Massacre
The blacklist shows an ongoing struggle between those vowing never to forget and authorities attempting to erase this piece of history from collective memory.
Turkey’s ‘Academics for Peace’ defend their beliefs from prison cells and exile
Turkish universities are being gutted of critical thinkers while academics serve time for showing solidarity with their fellow citizens.
“Language is also a form of resistance”
"As a citizen of the Mexican State, I demand that my language, our languages and peoples, have the same opportunities to survive and exist without the fear of being extinguished. "
Myanmar disables internet access in conflict areas of Rakhine and Chin states
The government and operators did not specify when access to the internet will be restored.
Equal and more equal: Separatist Abkhazia's passport policy
"I love my country very much, but seeing this injustice, I just want to leave."
Parents, students threaten to sue Bhutanese employment agency after ‘learn and earn’ debacle in Japan
Many students became sick from physical and mental stress. There were also reports of forced labor, and passport theft and illegal wage deductions by employers in Japan.
New documentary explores the roots of Myanmar’s persecution of the Rohingya community
"I wish people in Myanmar see this film, since it is not only about Rohingya, it is about all ethnic minorities, who have faced persecution for years."
‘Silence and invisibility hide under the sham that is Mexico’s racial intermixing’
"Intermixing as biopolitics denied the existence of black communities in this land."
‘Is vagina a dirty word?’ Ugandan feminist Stella Nyanzi's court battle continues
Nyanzi battles for her freedom of expression. Besides this case, Nyanzi still faces charges other charges of cyber harassment and offensive communication.
Netizen Report: Lawyers seek court challenge against Ethio Telecom over internet shutdown
Pakistani bloggers face threats for online speech, Algeria shuts down social media and Indonesian police say they’re "cyber patrolling" WhatsApp.
Years after eviction by an oil extraction project, a Ugandan community waits for justice
Uganda’s oil reserves can potentially bring in revenue of over US$50 billion over 25 years, but extraction projects are happening in areas where land rights and tenure are not clearly defined.
Bangladeshi surfer girls are pushing back against conservative gender norms
Surfing has not only allowed them to retain a piece of their childhood but they now confidently dream of securing a bright future for themselves – dignified jobs, a good education.
Hong Kong police remove ‘riot’ label from June 12 protests, but citizens still demand justice
A coalition of civil society groups has called for an independent investigation into the excessive use of force by police during the June 12 protests.
Handcrafting behind bars: Women inmates in Albania create ‘made in prison’ accessories
"I feel like a normal person again. I have been sentenced 3 years in prison and everything was hard, but now you are helping me to see a hopeful life."
‘Step down, Carrie Lam!': Two million rise up once more against Hong Kong extradition bill
Having flouted due process and ignored public criticism of an extradition bill amendment that could put Hongkongers at serious risk, Chief Executive Carrie Lam is paying the price.
Social media goes blue for Sudan
"My people can not die in vain, cannot die in silence." Social media users turn their profiles blue in solidarity with Sudanese protesters calling for civilian rule in Sudan.
Australia’s digital rights advocates and tech sector push back against law undermining encryption
"The new legislation directly targets encryption and basically coerces developers, device manufacturers and service providers to allow the government to spy on people’s encrypted data."
