Stories about Human Rights from July, 2024
South African model Chidimma Adetshina’s is being attacked on social media, and this is the reason why
South African citizens fear that foreigners, mainly African immigrants, are coming in to steal their jobs and commit crimes, which is overwhelmingly not supported by facts or data.
China strives to go green in South America's ‘Lithium Triangle’
Lithium is essential for the global green energy transition. At the same time, the pursuit of “white gold” comes with significant environmental and social costs. The Andean Lithium Triangle is grappling with this contradiction.
‘Walk for Justice’ organizers file complaint against police in Malaysia
"The police must cease all heavy-handed tactics and stop targeting peaceful protesters and government critics."
Russian courts often deny asylum to Afghans trying to escape from Taliban
The research included 59 court decisions issued from August 2021 to early June 2024. "Holod" found 18 positive and 41 negative decisions regarding the granting of political asylum.
Turkey's bill on stray dogs is not really about the safety of the streets
it is easier to address visible, attention-drawing issues such as stray dogs, rather than more subtle, insidious issues such as workplace safety and gender-based violence.
The Bangladesh tinderbox
The recent Bangladesh unrest, which saw a death toll of more than 200, was not just driven by a demand for the abolition of a quota system for government jobs.
Hong Kong shoppers head to China for lower prices amid stagnating local economy
The Hong Kong government's efforts to boost tourism and rescue Hong Kong’s floundering economy have had little effect.
In Azerbaijan it isn't just the president for life, but the parliament too
Regardless of whether old faces will remain in the parliament, or will be replaced by their children, the upcoming snap parliamentary vote will have little impact on the country's future.
Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression curtailed as deadly student protests rock Bangladesh
Violent protests rocked Bangladesh in the past week as peaceful students protests turned violent as vested groups hijacked the movement. As of July 24, 197 people have been killed and thousands injured.
Fact-checkers condemn physical attack against journalist of Croatian fact-checking service Faktograf
Fact-checking and journalist associations condemned of the attack against the ward-winning journalist Melita Vrsaljko, who covers climate issues for Croatian fact-checking service Faktograf that took place on July 16 near Zadar.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies gain legal cover for surveillance
Despite Supreme Court rulings against illegal surveillance, Pakistan's decision allowing it's spy agency, ISI, to monitor nearly all digital conversations has sparked outrage among political leaders, activists, and legal experts.
After Hurricane Beryl, how can St. Vincent & the Grenadines recover beyond materialism?
In Beryl's aftermath, the Grenadine islands were reported as “flattened,” “apocalyptic,” “erased,” and “devastated,” words synonymous with erasure and the cornerstone trendy lingo of global disaster management and recovery efforts.
Climate change takes toll on internally displaced women in Pakistan
The changing weather pattern dwindles hopes of building a family, forcing women to make desperate choices for survival. Women who face displacement while pregnant face unique and dangerous risks.
Montagnard Indigenous activist arrested in Thailand, resists being extradited to Vietnam
“The case of Y Quynh Bdap clearly illustrates the Vietnamese authorities’ efforts to exercise its long-arm repression against human rights defenders beyond its own border.”
Five years later: Hurricane Dorian’s indelible mark
As the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season kicked off in June, those who lived through Dorian are experiencing a mix of emotions, with anxiety being the dominant feeling.
Mauritania leading the way with freedom of expression in Africa
According to the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, Mauritania boasts the greatest press freedom ranking on the African continent and in the Arab world.
Guinea: Military regime delays return to civilian rule
In the Republic of Guinea, returning to civilian rule seems unlikely before 2025 after the military authorities announced their intention to extend the political transition period.
Komlan Avoulete analyzes extended transition periods in West Africa
Since 2020, West Africa has experienced a series of coups d’état, with Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger now under military rule. To date, none of these countries have held elections.
US and Panama plan to block migration corridor, but experts ask how
“For every section that is closed, three additional silent ones can appear," migration experts say.
Rwanda is headed for a one-sided election
Incumbent President Kagame is expected to win easily amid allegations of the expulsion of opposition candidates, harassment of journalists and assassination of critics.
In Iran, persecuted minorities can also turn into persecutors
For the past four decades, the Islamic Republic has systematically repressed religious minorities. However, within society, some oppressed minorities have mirrored this behavior and become oppressors themselves.