Stories about Human Rights from January, 2016
Netizen Report: Change is on the Horizon for Iran. But Let’s Not Forget Human Rights.
Protesters in Poland say no to unchecked surveillance, Kuwait tightens laws on critical speech, and an exiled Bangladeshi blogger tells his story.
Did a Text Message Lead to the Arrest of This Recently Released Iranian-American Prisoner?
Another prisoner released in the swaps, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, appears to have been arrested to due to mass surveillance by Iranian authorities. His SMS messages were surveilled.
[TIMELINE] Morocco: Political Repression in the Era of Social Media
Since the mid-2000s, investigative journalists and citizens engaged in political activism online have become regular targets of the Moroccan government. Learn more with this timeline.
How Netizens Are Pushing Back Against ISIS’ Social Media ‘Propaganda Machine’
Alongside the efforts of big companies and governments, many independent groups and individuals are making their own efforts to combat ISIS' activities online.
Activist-Blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki Returns To Jail
While much hope and happiness came with the lifting of nuclear sanctions and the release of Iranian-American prisoners in Iran, a blogger and activist returned to jail.
Why I Went Into Exile: A Bangladeshi Blogger Tells His Story
"...[the assailants] want our keyboards, pens to stop...Now its the time to write even more...Otherwise the darkness will win, religious fundamentalism and extremism will win."
#Justice4Morocco: 7 Defenders of Free Expression Face Trial
Since the mid-2000s, the regime of King Mohammed VI has systematically targeted and persecuted Moroccan citizens working to hold their government accountable to its people.
Meet the Thai Facebook User Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Insulting the Monarchy
"It made me question why Thailand is still so poor, and why the poor in Thailand are so repressed.”
Russian LGBT Activist Fined for ‘Propaganda of Homosexuality’ Online
LGBT activist Sergey Alekseenko was accused of "gay propaganda" after posting a quote from a state regulator's report describing another LGBT community on social media.
Netizen Report: Keeping the Spotlight on Syria’s Independent Media
As protests continue in Ethiopia, Bahrain is contracting for new Internet filtering tools. Meanwhile, another Ecuadorean politician faces jail time for critical tweeting.
Saudi Arabia Arrests Samar Badawi for Tweeting on Behalf of Her Jailed Husband
Saudi Arabia arrested human rights activist Samar Badawi today allegedly for tweeting on behalf of her jailed husband, prominent human rights lawyer Waleed Abulkhair.
Who Protects the Rights of Russian Internet Users? Not These Guys.
Russia's Internet ombudsman and Putin's new Internet advisor believe they have no business defending the rights of Internet users in Russia.
Ethiopia Protest Videos Show State Brutality, Despite Tech Barriers
Since student protests erupted in Ethiopia last November, mobile phone videos have offered a glimpse of the government's deadly crackdown on demonstrators.