Stories about Human Rights from August, 2017
India’s Supreme Court Says Privacy Is a Fundamental Right. How Did This Happen?
A series of citizen petitions attempting to challenge the implementation of India's Aadhaar biometric ID system preceded the historic court decision.
Murdered Mexican Journalist Cándido Ríos: ‘Our Weapons Do Not Shoot Bullets. Our Weapons Shoot Truth’
"His tireless efforts to denounce injustice brought him popularity among readers, but also enemies like the former mayor of Ríos' hometown Hueyapan, who threatened him with death several times."
Cambodia Shutdown of Media Outlets: Tax and Licensing Issue or Censorship?
"It appears that the Cambodian government has been using legal technicalities to hide behind its real aim of silencing independent voices."
China to Ban Anonymous Online Comments, Blacklist Users
"With or without real name registration, they know who you are. What they intend to do is to make you fearful."
Chinese Police Arrested a Man for Complaining About Hospital Food. Netizens Say It’s Police Abuse.
Even state-affiliated media outlets are criticizing police actions against a man who publicly complained about the price and quality of food at a state hospital.
‘Privacy is a Fundamental Right': Advocates Hail India's Supreme Court Ruling
The ruling followed multiple citizen petitions that challenged the government's move to make Aadhaar -- India's national digital ID system -- mandatory for various social welfare benefits.
‘You Can Lock Up Our Bodies, But Not Our Minds': Hong Kong Court Sends 16 Activists to Prison
"The appeal and jail sentence is a form of institutional violence and political suppression – it has ‘created’ the youngest group of political prisoners since the handover."
In Tunisia's ‘State of Emergency’, a New Police Protection Law Could Allow More Abuse — With Impunity
Supported by the interior ministry and police unions, the bill is being criticized by human rights groups.
Palestinian Journalists Become First Targets of Controversial Cybercrime Law
The journalists were accused of "leaking information to hostile entities" under a newly-adopted cybercrime law.
India Bans the Internet Archive and More Than 2,600 File-Sharing Websites to Protect Bollywood
The ban is the result of a court ruling, based on the petitions of two Bollywood producers, to stop file-sharing websites from distributing pirated copies of recently released movies.
Rights Group Website and Columnist's Blog Become Latest Targets of Egypt's Censorship Campaign
From May 24 to August 6, Egyptian authorities blocked 133 websites, according to the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression.
Behind Bars for 30 Days: EU Leaders Condemn Turkey's Detention of #Istanbul10
The European Commission called for the “immediate release” of the group, calling the detentions part of a “deeply worrying pattern” of imprisonment in Turkey.
‘With Empty Hands But Deep Beliefs,’ Jamal Hosseini Lost His Life Fighting for Human Rights in Iran
The third anniversary of the mysterious death of Jamal Hosseini, a bridge between underground activists in Iran and the global community of human rights activists.
Netizen Report: Tech Community Mourns Open Source Activist Executed in Syria
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
No More Jailed Journalists in Macedonia: Zoran Božinovski Free on Bail After 15-Month Detention
After spending around 3 years in jails in Serbia and Macedonia, the journalist Zoran Božinovski was released from detention on July 15.
Will Palestine's New Cybercrime Law Pave the Way for More Rights Violations?
The law places several restrictions on free expression through vague terms like "social harmony", "state security" and "public order".
Global Voices Honors the Life of Open Web Activist Bassel Khartabil, Executed by the Syrian Regime
We honor all of Bassel's work as a leader in the open web movement, and the efforts of all those who advocated for his release over the past five years.
