Stories about Human Rights from September, 2014
Gay Rights in Trinidad & Tobago Once Again Out of Reach as Prime Minister Backpedals
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has backed off of past promises to decriminalise homosexual acts, saying "it would not be prudent" to do so now.
Pro-Democracy Protesters Have Turned Central Hong Kong Into a Colorful Sea of Umbrellas
Dubbed the "umbrella revolution" in some media, protesters have withstood authorities' tear gas and pepper spray using umbrellas for protection.
Laos Joins Southeast Asian Neighbors in Imposing Stricter Internet Controls
The new law will criminalize online criticism of government policies and outlaw "Spreading information that distorts truth or tarnishes the dignity and rights of individuals, sectors, institutions and organizations."
Violent Clashes Between Hong Kong Police and Peaceful Student Protesters
Hundreds of student protesters raised their hands to show they were unarmed and formed a human shield to block riot police. But they were pepper sprayed and dozens arrested.
What it Means to be Puerto Rican for Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
Oscar López Rivera has been imprisoned in the United States for over thirty years because of his political beliefs.
Thailand's Military Stops University Lecture on ‘Authoritarianism’ and Detains Professors
Academics from various universities in Thailand have deplored the action taken by the army and the government as an attack on academic freedom.
‘The Dictatorship Devours its Own Children': Has Uzbekistan's ‘Princess’ Fallen Forever?
Once considered untouchable, Gulnara Karimova, diva daughter and apparent prisoner of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, is perhaps closer to discovering what life as a citizen of her country is like.
Are Madagascar's Health Care Facilities Ready for Possible Ebola Outbreak?
Fifteen African countries including Madagascar are potentially at risk since they have the same environmental characteristics as affected countries. The prime minister says Madagascar is prepared, but others are doubtful.
China Sentences Peaceful Uyghur Scholar Ilham Tohti to Life in Prison
"I scream for our ethnic group, but I scream louder for China," Ilham Tohti said through his lawyer.
#WithSyria Wants to End the Indiscriminate Bombing of Syrian Civilians
#withSyria campaign wants the world leaders to hear and act through 100K signatures to effectively stop the indiscriminate attacks of Syrians civilians. Help us by spreading the word.
The Heartbreaking Story of Palestinian Football Comes Into Focus, as Israel's Bid for UEFA 2020 Fails
Whether or not the BDS campaign influenced UEFA's decision is unclear. But it succeeded in highlighting the plight of Palestinian football which has repeatedly suffered from Israeli restrictions.
Singapore Bans Film Featuring Political Exiles Saying it ‘Undermines National Security’
The Singapore government considers the interview with exiled activists and aging communists as a threat to national security
In Crimea, No Room for Blogger Liza Bogutskaya And Her Pro-Ukrainian Views
Liza Bogutskaya's outspokenness against what she sees as Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea has made her a favorite of pro-Ukrainians online and an enemy of the Russian state administering Crimea.
Egyptian Leftist Activist Mahinour El-Masry Freed after Spending 125 Days in Jail
Egyptian activist Mahinour El-Masry was ordered to be released today after spending 125 days in prison for breaking the country's controversial no protest law.
Macedonian Media Stonewalls Popular Hip-Hop Artist's Pro-Freedom Song
Popular Macedonian hip-hop artist has seen his career come to a near stop after releasing a song and music video that discusses freedom of speech issues in Macedonia.
Cambodian Garment Workers Are Pressuring H&M, Walmart and Zara to Make Their Suppliers Pay a Living Wage
The workers are demanding a monthly minimum wage of 177 US dollars. A previous strike in January was the target of a violent crackdown that left five workers dead.
Newspapers Predict Spain's Conservative Party Will Shelve Their Restrictive Abortion Bill to Save Face in Elections
Spain's abortion bill has met with pushback not only from parties in the opposition but also from within the current governing party's rank and file.
Minority Scholar Ilham Tohti Denies Chinese Authorities’ Accusation That He Led a Double Life at Separatism Trial
Lawyers for Ilham Tohti said the prominent Uyghur scholar was chained with leg irons and denied access to food and warm clothes while detained. The verdict is due next week.
Threats to Press Freedom in the Fight Against Ebola in Liberia
The Press Union of Liberia is concerned about the threat to freedom of information as a result of the actions taken by the government to limit the expansion of the...
Bahraini Human Rights Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Is Released From Prison While She Awaits Trial
Maryam Al Khawaja was arrested when she tried to enter the country to visit her jailed father, who is on his 27th day of a hunger strike.
Ice Bucket Challenge, Meet Ukraine's ‘Blood Bucket’ Challenge
A group of European youths are raising awareness of the conflict in Ukraine with a gory twist on the infamous Ice Bucket Challenge. The buckets are filled with metaphorical blood.
