Stories about Human Rights from November, 2023
How newborns and their mothers are vulnerable to climate change
The findings of a 2020 study showed a relationship between pregnant women's exposure to heat and air pollution and preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillborn babies.
A lucky Gazan routine?
I try to sleep through the noises of heavy bombing sounds and news reports on the radio. My eyes get heavier and heavier. And then my mind eventually gives up and I drift off to sleep.
Fighting violence against women in Turkey is no easy feat
The AKP has taken a number of controversial stances against gender equality in recent years.
Maldives’ new president formally requests India withdraw troops from its borders
On the first day of his office, pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu formally requested the Indian Government to withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives, making headlines in both countries.
Exiled Iranian crown prince awarded US LGBTQ+ award for speaking up for Iran's queer community
The Iranian LGBTQ+ community is kept invisible by the Iranian opposition, but a US LGBTQ+ award to exile Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi seems to signify changes in attitudes.
One year after the Ürümqi fire that kicked off protests across China: Interview with Uyghur activist Rushan Abbas
Global Voices interviewed Uyghur activist Rushan Abbas to assess how the human rights situation of Uyghurs has changed since the Ürümqi fire and talk about the future of Uyghur-Han Chinese relations.
Statement: Israeli occupying forces launch a new campaign targeting journalists and media outlets in Palestine
Global Voices stands with 29 human rights organizations in solidarity with Gaza journalists. We demand Israel's compliance with international law and the protection of journalists' safety in Gaza.
When the messages stopped
"After Israel has bombed Gaza into the Dark Ages again, arrested and killed hundreds elsewhere, what then? Will Israeli soldiers occupy the Strip? Will they tighten the siege forever, or in their words, repeatedly 'mow the lawn?'"
Portraits of exile: Feminista group's ongoing struggle for justice in Iran
Activists Maryam Bahrami and Setayesh Hadizadeh share their 80-day sit-in experiences in Berlin, advocating for reduced Germany-Iran diplomatic relations to protest human rights violations in Iran.
Universal Children’s Day: Post-Covid, Hong Kong must ensure children’s rights
"This year, 269 students in Hong Kong have attempted to take their own lives, and 37 have succeeded. Among 10,279 arrested from the 2019 protests, 1,754 were teenagers under 18 years old, with the youngest only 11."
Undertones: What pop culture tells us about Myanmar’s politics
Democracy activists say that military junta is investing in the entertainment industry to distract people from the violent regime.
Nepal's TikTok ban is the first step towards more government control on social media
On November 13, 2023, the Nepali government imposed a blanket ban on Chinese social media platform TikTok, alleging that the platform was fostering social discord among Nepalis.
Spontaneous protests in today’s Russia are extremely dangerous, but in Dagestan the practice continues
The slogan “We will not let Israeli refugees into Dagestan” arose from the assumption that the "Mountain Jews" living in Israel would want to send their women, children, and old people to where they lived before.
Numerous journalists connected to Azerbaijani news site arrested
At least three Azerbaijani journalists were arrested on November 20 from Abzas media in connection with corruption reporting. International press groups are calling for their release.
Cambodian government, UNESCO implicated in mass displacement at Angkor Wat
“Almost all … described being evicted or pressured to leave Angkor following intimidation, harassment, threats, and acts of violence from Cambodian authorities.”
‘The only white people who did not bring evil’: Serbian media narratives around Russia in Africa
Russian influence in Africa exists in some areas — notably in security and the arms trade — but most authors who have written on the subject conclude that the overall impact should not be overstated.
Why some parents are accused of abandoning their disabled children in special schools in Nigeria
"The World Bank Group’s assessment highlighted that Nigeria, the most populated country in West Africa, recorded 29 million persons with disabilities in 2018."
Russian artist Alexandra Skochilenko addresses the court in Saint Petersburg at her trial over anti-war messages
"My trial, widely followed in Russia and globally, will make history, regardless of the verdict. You're not judging a terrorist, extremist, or even a political activist. You're judging a pacifist."
Widespread labour standards violations among Japanese businesses with so-called technical interns
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan found record-high labour standard breaches in worksites where “technical interns” work in 2022. Can future legislative reform effectively address this issue?
Protesters flock to San Francisco ahead of Xi-Biden APEC meeting
Chinese president Xi Jinping was greeted by hundreds of protesters and welcoming crowds in San Francisco ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Undoing colonialism in gender diversity discourse in the Philippines
Colonized by Spain, the US, and Japan, the Philippines has a long history of discourses imposed on its own traditions, including the ones related to gender identity and fluidity.
