Stories about Human Rights from January, 2020
How Zimbabwe's biometric ID scheme (and China’s AI aspirations) threw a wrench into the 2018 election
Some citizens were told that if they didn't register and submit their biometrics, they might be barred from voting.
Farewell to Lina Ben Mhenni, Tunisian blogger and human rights defender
We mourn the passing of Lina Ben Mhenni, a prominent Tunisian blogger, human rights defender, Global Voices contributor and one of the brightest voices of the 2011 Tunisian revolution.
This Nigerian human rights lawyer wins second order of restraint against government
Lawyer Gloria Ballason has experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, amid a growing crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent in Nigeria.
Morocco intensifies crackdown on freedom of expression
Morocco has a dire record of cracking down on freedom of expression, independent media and press freedom media.
Is Russia getting its model for digital authoritarianism from China?
On the surface, China and Russia share much when it comes to digital governance. But their crackdowns on cyberspace also have important differences, says professor Maria Repnikova
Baul singer Shariat Sarkar arrested in Bangladesh for ‘insulting’ Islam
Baul singer Shariat Sarkar is accused of making comments which hurt the “religious sentiment” of Muslims. He says that there is no evidence forbidding music in Islam.
New privacy law in Mozambique threatens freedom of expression, activists say
New legislation criminalizes all types of invasion of privacy via mobile phones, and the publication of images or videos of third parties without their consent.
Thai journalist convicted over a 2017 Twitter post about a labor conflict
"There is a high level of self-censorship in Thailand… When you forbid freedom of expression… you forbid an open society."
Supreme Court of India declares internet ban in Jammu and Kashmir unconstitutional
The blockout, imposed since August 2019, has affected the lives of millions of people in Jammu and Kashmir, depriving them of the basic right to access the internet.
Internet disruption: different terms for different tactics
Now more than ever it is vital for internet users to understand the different vocabulary being used to describe internet interruptions and how they work.
Deadline looms for biometric SIM card registration in Tanzania
The biometric SIM card registration process means Tanzania joins a growing list of African nations gripped by the biometric data and digital identification revolution in Africa.
‘A disturbing crackdown on press freedom’: Pakistan arbitrarily blocking Slate.com
This is the second time that the website has been blocked in Pakistan in 2019, and the third time since 2018.
Hirak protests and a presidential election triggered a surge of disinformation in Algeria
With the December 12 presidential election approaching, pro-government supporters took to social media to attack anti-government activists.
