Stories about Human Rights from February, 2021
Nigerian politician arrested for condemning the kidnap of schoolchildren
Salihu Tanko Yakasi’s tweets came after the kidnapping of about 300 school girls at Government Girls Secondary School inJangebe, north-western Nigeria, on February 26, 2021.
Activists demand action over slow pace of online sexual predators case in North Macedonia
A private messaging group was used by thousands of people to share stolen photos and personal data of women and girls from North Macedonia, Serbia, and possibly other countries.
Could Trinidad & Tobago's COVID-19 travel exemption process be compromising citizens’ rights?
One attorney posited that the government’s ability to regulate borders “is no way in question." However, whether the exercise of that power intersects with citizens' rights remains to be argued.
Trinidad & Tobago’s COVID-19 travel exemption process is demoralising its citizens abroad
Nationals who were unable to make it back home before the country's borders closed following its index case of COVID-19 are now at the mercy of the travel exemption system.
Bloggers, journalists and creatives in the crosshairs of the Belarusian state
As the space for free expression in Belarus narrows, many journalists and artists who covered the protests are awaiting trial.
Myanmar’s ‘civil disobedience movement’ has produced many inventive ways of protesting
Only three weeks have passed since the coup but protesters have already used various creative methods to express dissent.
Trinidad & Tobago's problem with gender-based violence
Since the murder of Andrea Bharatt, parliament has passed the Evidence Bill and approved the use of pepper spray for self-defence, but are these measures really addressing the core issue?
Are Istanbul's Boğaziçi University protests an expression of exceptionalism?
“What would make Erdoğan's life increasingly difficult would be for academia as a whole in Turkey to unify around a single platform and pursue vociferously a rigorous set of demands …”
Algeria releases dozens of pro-democracy prisoners ahead of Hirak anniversary
Rachid Nekkaz and Khalid Drareni are among Hirak-linked prisoners pardoned by the president, who also ordered a cabinet reshuffle and dissolved parliament as protests resumed over unmet demands of 2019 upheaval.
Myanmar citizens continue strong opposition to military junta with ‘22222’ general strike
"If we oppose the dictatorship, they might shoot us. But we have to oppose dictatorship. It’s our duty. That’s why so many people are coming out today against them."
Algerian activist Rachid Nekkaz's failing health raises calls for his release
Two years after Algeria's Hirak Movement, calls are being made to free from prison a man who is associated with it, and who has been in jail without trial since 2019.
Saudi women's activist Loujain al-Hathloul released and tweeting
The 31-year-old women's rights campaigner was abducted in 2018 in the UAE and found guilty of a set of charges, with the prosecutor demanding a maximum jail term of up to 20 years.
In unrecognized Transnistria, a retiree faces criminal charges for ‘anti-Russian’ rhetoric
A 70-year-old Transnistria citizen faces a five-year prison term for critical statements about Russian peacekeeping forces in the breakaway Moldova region.
Flights carrying ‘seafood’ between China and Myanmar fuel speculation about Beijing's support for the military coup
There's also speculation that the recurring power outages in Myanmar in the past few days are related to the testing and setup of Myanmar's version of The Great Firewall.
Arrest of Indian climate activist Disha Ravi over protest ‘toolkit’ draws backlash
'Editing a Google Doc in support of farmers is an act of sedition in this country now,' a writer said.
Freedom of expression in a downward spiral in Southern Africa, says new study
Outdated laws, exorbitant fees, and stifling of dissent have ramped up violations to the right of free expression in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Nigerian protesters arrested for resisting reopening of the Lagos Lekki toll gate
The protest came on the heels of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry's decision to reopen the toll gate— a move perceived as insensitive to victims of the Lekki shootings.
Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested for alleged spying in China
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has dismissed claims by China that Australia is trying to interfere in their judicial system.
Security concerns and legal ambiguities threaten the future of Ukraine's ‘State in a Smartphone’
On the anniversary of its launch, the revolutionary e-government app Diia boasts 6 million users, but seems to fall short when it comes to security standards and privacy.
Citizens protest against impunity for online sexual predators in North Macedonia
Public dissatisfaction with the authorities' inaction exploded on the anniversary of the unveiling of a scandal involving a Telegram group for sexual predators called Javna Soba (Public Room).
WATCH: A conversation with Jillian C. York on her upcoming book “Silicon Values”
Missed the live-stream of the Global Voices Insights conversation with writer and activist Jillian C. York? Here's a replay.
