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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from April, 2016
As UN Decides Future of Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission, Sahrawis Press for Human Rights
While international diplomats met this week to determine the future of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, demonstrators throughout the occupied territory are calling for self-determination and human rights.
Iraqi Protestors Storm Parliament; State of Emergency Declared
Hundreds of Iraqi protestors stormed the Parliament building, in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, in protest against a deadlock in approving a new government today. A state of emergency was declared.
Syria: What Forgiveness Doesn't Mean
'I wish the soul of the revolution was enough for me to be able to pardon them all, if only in the “court in my head”.
Imprisoned Iranian Cartoonist Hadi Heidari Goes Free
"By the grace of God, I was released from Evin Prison tonight after serving time. Thank you all for the kindness," Hadi Heidari wrote on Instagram.
Iranian Cartoonist Atena Farghadani's Prison Sentence Reduced From 12 Years to 18 Months
"To my cartooning colleagues around the world: let's keep watching and speaking out for Atena Farghadani."
Some Iraqi Refugees Who Made It to Europe Are Choosing to Return Home
“If there was a hope I would get asylum soon, I would have stayed. But there was no hope.”
The Iranian Physicist Jailed for Refusing to Work on Nukes Is Dying Behind Bars
For a brief moment on April 21, world attention shifted to the physicist who's spent the past five years in prison for refusing to work on Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian Journalist Omid Memarian: ‘Turning Explosive Anger Into Something Constructive Is an Art’
"In Iran, you don’t need to go after the authorities to get into trouble. By merely following the common sense line and raising simple questions you could be targeted."
Thousands Protest in Egypt Calling Upon Sisi to Step Down for “Selling” Islands to Saudi Arabia
"The numbers are increasing to thousands and the roar is getting louder: “People demand to overthrow the regime."
#FreeShawkan: After 900 Days in Jail, Egyptian Photographer Finally Faces Trial
"I look around and I am left with the reality of four ugly windowless walls and a never ending dream of freedom."
From Heartwarming to Hilarious, 6 Things People Are Sharing About Iran and Persian Culture on Social Media
"...now I fight against those who want to drag Iran into regression. With the hopes for the day when we can all...have a higher tolerance for each other."
Pope Francis Announces: World's Best Teacher Is a Palestinian
“If children who suffer from violence are not given the assistance and support they need, they will be lost," says the World's Best Teacher Palestinian Hanan Al Hroub.
Tajikistan and Iran: Bound by a Shared Heritage, Torn by a Shared Mistrust
Relations between the two countries appear back on track after a winter of discontent. Or are they?
Abu Majid, Syrian Visionary
"His vision was of a democratic Syria that ensures the freedom of all its people. This was his charge. This was his crime."
Iranian Blogger Struggles for Health and Freedom After 18 Days on Hunger Strike
Anti-censorship activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has been on hunger strike since March 26, and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
Egyptian President Sisi “Sells” Disputed Sanafir and Tiran Islands to Saudi Arabia
Lawyers have filed complaints against the move, saying Sisi's decision to give up the Red Sea islands of Sanafir and Tarin, without approval from Parliament, is "unconstitutional."
‘They Call Me Haj Agha'—Gaming Iran's Revolution
Game designer Navid Khonsari tells the story of Iran's 1979 revolution in a game. "Making a game like this offers the opportunity to portray history...with shades of gray."
Meet Three Artists Painting the Streets of Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia
Artists Falko One, Wisetwo and Vajo are working to get Africa's graffiti community more visibility.
Five Years After Revolution, Egyptians See #PanamaPapers as Further Vindication of Mubarak's Ouster
"Every day I become even prouder of taking part in the great January revolution that toppled a corrupt regime."
Iran's Headscarf Laws Collide With the Women of Air France
Air France's women have demanded the right to work the Paris-Tehran route, if headscarves are required, and the Facebook community “My Stealthy Freedom” is supporting their protest with a new online campaign.
As Deportations Begin, Portuguese Continue Speaking Out Against European Union-Turkey Deal
"It's time to stop this! We should make the difference for these innocent people."
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