Stories about Human Rights from August, 2017
India’s Latest Internet Shutdown Hits Haryana and Punjab
According to the New Delhi-based Software Freedom Law Centre, India has seen 106 internet shutdowns since 2012.
Netizen Report: Vietnam Targets ‘Illegal Cyber Information’ — and Political Speech
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in internet rights around the world.
‘Massacre’ of Suspected Gang Members Has Mozambicans Asking: What's the Role of Police?
Police maintained their intention was "to neutralize" the men, who died in a shootout. Some Mozambicans were quick to say police shouldn't be in the business of killing people.
India’s Supreme Court Says Privacy Is a Fundamental Right. How Did This Happen?
A series of citizen petitions attempting to challenge the implementation of India's Aadhaar biometric ID system preceded the historic court decision.
An Indian Transgender Couple Receives Death Threats After Announcing Plans to Marry and Adopt
"We too have the same rights to live in this world, as you all are having...We aren't disturbing anyone else. In fact, we've to fight a lot to survive itself."
Thousands of Rohingyas Fleeing Violence Are Stranded on the Bangladesh-Myanmar Border
"Desperate scenes at Bangladesh's border as Border Guard try to prevent entry to fleeing #Rohingya"
Murdered Mexican Journalist Cándido Ríos: ‘Our Weapons Do Not Shoot Bullets. Our Weapons Shoot Truth’
"His tireless efforts to denounce injustice brought him popularity among readers, but also enemies like the former mayor of Ríos' hometown Hueyapan, who threatened him with death several times."
Shanty Towns in Conakry and Freetown: Mismanagement and Vulnerability in Africa's Booming Capitals
For several days now, bulldozers have been demolishing houses in Démoudoula, Conakry, leaving men, women and children on the streets.
Cambodia Shutdown of Media Outlets: Tax and Licensing Issue or Censorship?
"It appears that the Cambodian government has been using legal technicalities to hide behind its real aim of silencing independent voices."
China to Ban Anonymous Online Comments, Blacklist Users
"With or without real name registration, they know who you are. What they intend to do is to make you fearful."
Venezuelan Government Wants to Regulate Hatred on Social Media
Today, with an all-powerful ANC composed solely of representatives from the governing party, it seems unlikely that anything will be able to stop the law from being approved.
Two Brothers, a Dream and a Tragic Trailer Death in Texas, U.S.
Mariano, 27, father of three children, died of asphyxiation. Humberto, 24, father of two children, was hospitalized and witnessed the tragedy. This is their story.
Chinese Police Arrested a Man for Complaining About Hospital Food. Netizens Say It’s Police Abuse.
Even state-affiliated media outlets are criticizing police actions against a man who publicly complained about the price and quality of food at a state hospital.
Residents of Ethiopia's Oromia Region Strike to Demand Release of Political Prisoners
Normally crowded streets and shops were empty as Oromos stayed home from work.
Macedonian Citizen Fined 400 Euro For Insulting Turkish President Erdoğan on Facebook
A Macedonian court ordered a person to pay 400 euros for writing "ironical statements and insulted a leader of a foreign country."
‘Privacy is a Fundamental Right': Advocates Hail India's Supreme Court Ruling
The ruling followed multiple citizen petitions that challenged the government's move to make Aadhaar -- India's national digital ID system -- mandatory for various social welfare benefits.
A Popular Japanese Cosmetic Surgeon Is Called Out for Admiring Nazism
"The last thing our world needs today is the embrace of Nazi ideology, under whose banner physicians carried out unspeakable crimes in the name of ‘progress.’"
Is Rio de Janeiro at War? Its Residents Debate
A newspaper decided to create 'war pages' to cover Rio's rising violence numbers and cases. The decision raised questions if it does any good for Rio itself.
Afghan Asylum Seekers’ Anti-Deportation Protest in Stockholm Marks Two Weeks
"Stop deporting minors. Or even better, stop all deportation of refugees."
A Kenyan artist designs revolutionary ‘kanga’ celebrating queer love around the world
"We need to open up a space to talk more about sex, and then artists like me want to open that up even more, to talk about queerness."
Netizen Report: US Tech Company Bans White Supremacist Group for Being ‘Assholes’
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.