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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from March, 2017
Emirati Hardline Nationalists Target Human Rights Defenders on Twitter
It is no longer unusual for governments to maintain a robust online presence. They understand well the power of the internet in forming public opinion and manipulating political discourse.
Global Inequality in Your Pocket: How Cheap Smartphones and Lax Policies Leave Us Vulnerable to Hacking
People who are poor, socially marginalized, and less tech-savvy bear the greatest risk of attacks via mobile phones.
The UK Is Among the World's Largest Suppliers of Weapons—and Is Making Arms Boycotts Illegal
As one of the world's largest weapons dealers, the UK routinely sells to countries with abysmal human rights records. It is now seeking to outlaw boycotts on Israeli settlement products.
Iranians See Arrests and Intimidation of Telegram Administrators and Journalists Ahead of the Elections
Revolutionary Guards have previously attempted to limit Telegram's free flow of information with arrests for immoral or obscene content. This is the first time crackdowns have focused on political affiliation.
Young Iranian Faces Execution Over ‘Anti-Islamic’ Social Media Posts
"Sina's grandfather was a martyr of the eight-year war. Sina himself served two years. Sina has more rights to this country than most of these authorities."
In a Greek Refugee Camp: A Volunteer's Notebook
"As volunteers, we’re treated as though we’re not part of the story.... But whether we like it or not, we are part of the narrative and influence it, significantly."
What's Old Is New: Are You Listening? Podcast
We take you to Jamaica, Indonesia, Syria, Macedonia and Ethiopia for tales of remembering, revival and resurgence in this podcast.
These Activists Helped Kurdish Families in Iraq Celebrate Newroz With Color and Resistance
A tradition of resistance inspired Kurdish activists in Iraqi Kurdistan to donate traditional clothes to those who can't afford it for the Kurdish New Year of Newroz.
Activists Cry Foul as Lebanon Imposes a Tax Hike Right Before Postponing Elections, Again
As the Lebanese protest proposed increase in taxes, Global Voices asks a number of activists to explain what's at stake.
Meet Ara Malikian, the Cosmopolitan With a Violin
Global Voices interviews Ara Malikian, an Armenian violinist who grew up in Lebanon, about the influences that shaped his life and his music.
UAE Authorities Arrest One Rights Activist and Extend the Detention of Another
On 20 March police arrested human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor from his home. Meanwhile, UAE authorities have refused to release Osama al-Najjar, despite him having served out his prison sentence.
‘Those Who Tortured Him [Should] Tell Us the Truth': Tunisian Commission Hears Net Freedom Testimonies From Dictatorship
The Truth and Dignity Commission is investigating rights abuses committed during the dictatorship era, including internet freedom violations.
UAE Court Sentences Jordanian Journalist Tayseer al-Najjar to Prison
UAE authorities took issue with a Facebook post that Tayseer al-Najjar published before he had even moved to the country.
A Syrian Activist's Japanese-Language Message to the People of Japan
"Syria is witnessing a revolutionary call for freedom and dignity for its entire people." Will Japan help?
Donald Trump Was Right: Iranians Do Play With Fire
The ancient Iranian festival of fire, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, proves that Donald Trump was absolutely right — albeit unwittingly — when he recently accused Iran of “playing with fire.”
Syrian Civil Society in Douma Navigates a Tough Crackdown
Fundamentalist backlash to a magazine article has thrown civil society in Douma and Eastern Ghouta into turmoil, as activists and journalists struggle to get back to work.
Reckless Diplomacy: Turkey-Netherlands #TulipCrisis Is Scary Viewing for Minorities in Europe
A rally, a crackdown and a diplomatic standoff that stands to benefit nationalist politicians in both countries, but almost no-one else.
Indonesians Gleefully Welcome Saudi King, But Activists Are Wary of Riyadh's Influence
"Saudi learns pluralism from Indonesia. We learn Wahhabism from Saudi. We're even," wrote a Twitter user during the visit.
Jaysh Al-Islam Is Leading Peace Talks in Geneva, While Clamping Down on Speech in Syria's Eastern Ghouta
The group controlling the region has shut down a magazine and five well-known civil society organisations, according to activists.
Egypt's Revolution: Between Lost Hopes and Growing Apathy
"I have always dodged casual conversations about the Egyptian revolution from people who know little about it, fearing that words would fail me."
Palestinians Mourn ‘Intellectual-Activist’ Killed in Gun Battle With Israeli Forces
"Why is his people absent? Who was those that were supposed to protect him? Who was supposed to hide him?"
About our West Asia & North Africa coverage
