Stories about Human Rights from January, 2018
Spanish Activist Helena Maleno's Trial in Morocco Is ‘a Way to Intimidate’ Human Rights Defenders, Her Supporters Say
Helena Maleno is accused of participating in a human trafficking network for her work assisting migrants who run into trouble during the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing to Europe.
After Two Decades, Will Ghana Finally Pass a Right to Information Law?
"We the people...put our faith in the system expecting them to work efficiently, fairly and impartially. But that hasn’t been the case...we continue to find ourselves in the cesspool."
Myanmar Digital Activists Come Together to Protect People's Rights Online at #DigitalRightsMM
Myanmar's mobile penetration rate has soared from 2.5 percent to more than 90 percent, bringing a wave of developments and difficulties in the digital rights realm.
A Victim of Police Brutality in Myanmar Seeks Justice While Confronting Racist Comments on Social Media
Hate speech comments attacking the complainant based on his facial appearance, skin color, and ethnic identity became more prominent than the original issue of police brutality.
The ‘Girls of Revolution Street’ Protest Iran's Compulsory Hijab Laws
"With religion and hijab there should be no force."
Who Is Responsible for Ending Sexual Violence in Somalia?
Although the rape issue has attracted attention from the Somali government, sexual violence against women and children remains rampant and the number of assault cases continues to grow.
Iran Suspends Thousands of Drug-Related Death Sentences After Years of Human Rights Advocacy
"Ninety percent of the prisoners on death row for drug crimes were just unfortunate mules carrying drugs to pay for their daughter’s dowry or an operation for their mother."
Rejected by Australia and Condemned to Detention in Indonesia, Refugees Protest Life in Limbo
"Australian NGOs have denounced this 'Indonesian Solution', arguing that their government is paying Jakarta “hundreds of millions of dollars to detain and warehouse asylum seekers."
Offering ‘Beer, Meat and Oppression,’ A Carnival Group Wants To Celebrate Brazil's Military Dictatorship
The Public Ministry of São Paulo will investigate the organizers of the event which, according to the prosecutors, insults the rights to truth and memory and promotes apology for the crime of torture.
#JusticeForAsifa: A Young Girl's Murder Shocks Jammu And Kashmir Residents — But Not the National Media
Nationally, reactions to the incident have been sporadic, with many Indians refraining from commenting or staging protests against the heinous crime.
Protests Underscore the Potential Power of Iran's Access to Information Law
This is an opportune time to fully enforce efforts towards transparency after Iran's December-January protests. The first step must be a full implementation of Iran’s Access to Information law.
In Argentina, the Search for the Lost Grandchildren of the Dictatorship Continues
The recovery of granddaughter 127 is seen as the fruit of long efforts and it is a renewal of hope for the reunification of families torn apart by the dictatorship.
Filipino Bloggers Rally to Defend Rappler News Site
"We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views."
Macedonia Has Its Own #MeToo Movement — #ISpeakUpNow — and It Is Gaining Momentum
Despite the backlash from trolls, the #ISpeakUpNow movement has mostly drawn support and applause for the survivors of sexual abuse who refuse to stay silent any longer.
State of Emergency Over Worsening Crime Has Some Jamaicans Relieved — But Is It an Effective Approach?
Is a state of emergency "making progress", or is it a shot in the dark as Jamaica grapples with addressing the social and economic inequity that fuels violent crime?
The First Mobile Phone Network for Indigenous Communities in Mexico Is Under Threat
"This is the only telecommunications service that these communities have, historically they have not been covered...we believe a clear exemption for this type of operator should be in the law."
Leaked Documents Show That Ethiopia’s Ruling Elites Are Hiring Social Media Trolls (And Watching Porn)
The leaks include a list of individuals who appear to have been paid to promote the ruling coalition on social media.
Reuters Journalists Covering Rohingya Conflict in Myanmar Detained for ‘Illegally Acquiring Information’
"If Myanmar is serious about democratic reforms, it must accept the right of journalists to work freely and report on topics that make those in power uncomfortable."
Netizen Report: Five Months After Houthis Arrested Him, Human Rights Blogger Hisham Al-Omeisy Walks Free
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Philippine Authorities Order Shutdown of Rappler News Site, Bringing a Blow to Press Freedom
"If this revocation stands, Rappler will effectively be shut down —the first time a news organization will be closed by government since the dictator Marcos declared martial law in 1972."
Two Leading Figures of the Arts in Iran. Two Very Different Reactions to the Protests.
A notable writer, known for fighting against censorship, condemns the burning of the flag during protests. A notable filmmaker, however, shows support.
