Stories about Human Rights from September, 2015
The Enormous Mural That Made a Mexican Neighborhood ‘Magical’
Germen Crew, an independent collective, painted a colorful mural stretching across 200 homes in Las Palmitas neighborhood. The "magical" project helped strengthen the community in the process.
Miles to Go Before They Rest: Voices from the Croatia-Serbia Border Crossing
When those seeking refuge pass through areas like the Serbia-Croatia border crossing, they've already travelled many, many miles—but for most of them it's a mere fraction of the total journey.
Pussy Riot Performance in Banksy's Dismaland Highlights Plight of Refugees
Russian punk musicians and political activists Pussy Riot raised awareness of the cause of refugees in Europe with a violent and loud performance at Banksy's Dismaland park in London.
Global Voices Series Dispatches From Syria Wins Online Journalism Award
According to the judges who selected "Dispatches in Syria" as category winner, Marcell Shehwaro's “intensely personal writing found the gray areas in a war usually told from polar extremes.”
Ayotzinapa: Nine Possible Answers to Questions Remaining One Year After the Disappearance of 43 Students
One year after the disappearance of 43 students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College in Iguala, there are still many unanswered questions about what actually happened.
Reflections on the One-Year Anniversary of the Disappearance of Students in Ayotzinapa
"For us, the night of September 26 hasn't ended," says one survivor of the Ayotzinapa tragedy. "They thought that over time they could defeat us. But that's not the case."
Netizen Report: China Joins Russia in Crusade to Keep User Data at Government’s Fingertips
This week, a public outcry over encryption proposal sent Indian legislators back to the drawing board. Meanwhile, Iranian leaders are re-centralizing power under the country's Supreme Cyberspace Council.
Jailed Activist and Artist Atena Farghdani Protests Mistreatment With Hunger Strike
“They have tarnished my daughter’s reputation in prison. They are playing with her integrity with their [ugly] words."
#PinjraTod Gives Voice to Indian Women Fed Up With Draconian University Hostel Rules
"What is clear from all these stories is the need for an all-out rejection of these restrictive rules and the patriarchal protectionism they are built on."
‘We Are Here To Support You': A Dutch Welcome for Refugees
Volunteers at Amsterdam's Central Station have banded together to welcome and support arriving refugees. "What I didn’t anticipate," writes Faten Busheri, "are the stories they would tell me."
The Arrest of Arash Zad, Iran's Start-Up Kid
A popular technology blogger and pioneer of Iran's start-up scene is quietly arrested at Tehran's international airport. A strange turn of events for someone not involved in an dissident activity.
Zone9 Bloggers Are Not Alone: More Ethiopian Netizens Face Terrorism Charges
Alongside the now-famous case of the Zone9 bloggers, there are so many detained Ethiopian bloggers, online activists and politicians, whose names are not yet on the map. Last year on July...
Haitian President's Sexist Comments Remind Caribbean Feminists They Still Have a Long Way to Go
From schoolboy raps to ministerial threats, women across the Caribbean continue to pay the price for speaking out, says the Code Red feminist blog.
New Mobile App Helps Belarusians to Keep an Eye on Violations in Presidential Election
The creators of "Vochy" hope the mobile app helps broaden Belarusian citizens' knowledge of their voter rights and provides an opportunity to quickly report election violations to independent observers.
Chilean Musician Victor Jara's Rethinking of Power Lives on Long After His Murder
The singer-songwriter, murdered in the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet's coup, invited listeners to dare to dream of a future in which society wasn't separated into powerful elites and disenfranchised masses.
Ugandan Minister Mysteriously Dies, the Internet Goes Haywire
The sudden death of General Aronda, Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister and former Chief Of Defence Forces, created an outpouring of condolences and a wave of conspiracy theories on social media.
Saudi Court's Death Sentence for Young Ali Al-Nimr Disputed by Human Rights Defenders
Saudi Ali al-Nimr was arrested when he was 17. Now, at 21, he is sentenced to be beheaded, and then have his body strapped to a cross to rot.
Skepticism Follows Arrest of Four Philanthropists Who Care for Bangladeshi Street Children
Four people involved with the Adamya Bangladesh Foundation, which works to improve the lives of street children, face human trafficking charges. Supporters aren't convinced of the police case against them.
The Lebanese Government vs Protesters: Oppression, Arrests and Thugs
Forty-three people were arrested in Lebanon on Wednesday for protesting against the second round of talks between political powers to end the presidential stalemate.
South Africa's President Blames the West for Surge in Refugees, So ‘They Must Address It’
Jacob Zuma said the West was guilty of opening the floodgates of refugees by taking military action in Libya, a statement that divided netizens.
Netizen Report: Refugee Crisis Inspires Both Love and Hate Online
As the refugee crisis spills into digital rights territory, authorities take aim at a leading media freedom NGO in Ecuador, and Austria's parliament proposes new state surveillance regime.
