Stories about Human Rights from October, 2013
“I'm Dominican, Just Like You”: Thousands of Dominicans of Haitian Descent Are Left Stateless
The decision by the Dominican Republic's Constitutional Court to strip descendants of "foreigners" of their citizenship ignores the human reality of thousands of Dominicans.
Egypt: Urban Constitution Document
As the “50 member-committee” meets to amend Egypt's constitution, some civil society organizations and urban activists participated in producing what they called the “urban constitution document” [Ar]: We present this...
A 700-Kilometer March for Missing People in Pakistan's Balochistan
Thousands of Baloch have disappeared in the last decade in war-torn Balochistan.
Yelling and Fist-banging at UN Review of Uzbekistan's Torture Record
Authorities in Uzbekistan prefer to deal with allegations of torture, forced sterilization of women, and use of slave labor to harvest cotton primarily through yelling and insulting experts.
South Korean Tear Gas Being Used in Bahrain?
Bahrain interior ministry allegedly ordered 1.6 million teargas canisters to use against protesters, and South Korean company DaeKwang is believed to be one of the major suppliers. R. Elgin wrote...
Spain's Association of Victims of Terrorism Publicly Chastizes Amnesty International
The vast majority of Internet users defended the work of Amnesty International, the international human rights organization.
15-Year-Old Roma Girl's Deportation Shakes Up France's Immigration Debate
In the Leonarda deportation scandal, everything is controversial: the way in which the police acted, the media management of the scandal and the peculiarity of the family.
Council of Europe Condemns Deterioration of Human Rights in Spain
The Council of Europe denounces the serious situation of human rights in Spain, largely as a result of social spending cuts, and disproportionate police violence.
Iranian Student Leader Majid Tavakoli Is Out on Bail
After 4 years in jail, an influential Iranian student leader was welcomed home by his family and supporters.
Journalists Fear Japan's Proposed Secret Information Protection Act
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a bill [ja] on October 25, 2013 to impose tougher penalties on civil servants, lawmakers and others who leak national secrets and...
VIDEO: “No Woman, No Drive” Stuns Saudi Arabia
Today, October 26, was the day Saudi activists chose to protest against the driving ban on women in the Kingdom. As social networks were buzzing under increasing number of reports...
Grenada: Remembering the Revolution
Thirty years ago this month, former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was executed by a firing squad. It was the beginning of the end of the People's Revolutionary Government in Grenada.
Race Against Time for Ill Former Samsung Workers in South Korea
Samsung employees suffering from work-related illnesses face an uphill legal battle for recognition and compensation. Recently, there has been some positive developments.
GV Face: Everything You Need to Know About #SudanRevolts
We talk with our Sudan author Usamah M, and Magdi ElGizouli, author of the influential blog Still Sudan, and ask them if this is the next Arab Spring.
After Lampedusa Shipwreck, Italy Considers Decriminalizing Illegal Immigration
The tragedy, in which 350 or so African migrants were killed, has renewed debate about illegal immigration in Italy, which is a destination for many African migrants.
Malaysia Revives ‘Detention Without Trial’ Law
The government insists a tough law is needed to defeat gangs and criminal syndicates. But critics are worried that the law would lead to grave human rights abuses.
Catalan Man Sentenced to Prison after Refusing to Speak Spanish
Carles Mateu, who refused to speak in Spanish to officers during a routine traffic stop in Valencia, was sentenced to six months in prison and had his driver's license revoked.
Qatari Poet Sentenced for ‘Threatening to Overthrow the Regime’ Loses Final Appeal
Qatar's Court of Cassation upheld a 15-year prison sentence earlier this week for poet Muhammad Rashid al-Ajami. His crime? "Inciting the overthrow of the regime" with his poetry.
Saudi Clerics Protest Women Driving
‘A group of more than 100 conservative Saudi clerics gathered Tuesday at the Royal Court in Riyadh to protest against what they called “the conspiracy of women driving.”’ writes Ahmed...
Saudi Prisoners’ Children Put Into Solitary Confinement
Relatives of prisoners, including children, who were denied from meeting their loved ones during Eid Al Adha, are now being detained in Saudi Arabia, after staging an "illegal" protest.
No Man's Land: Kidnapping Journalists Worsens in Syria
Activists are campaigning for the release of Syrian media activist Rami Al Razzouk, 25, who was kidnapped on October 1 after negotiations with his kidnappers reached a deadlock.