Human rights

Headquarters of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs. © president.kg

Kyrgyzstan: Demands for Public Enquiry Over State Wiretapping

Warnings that the covert surveillance amounted to a gross violation of the fundamental right to privacy.

27 Sep 21

A sign from a Belarusian pro-democracy rally from last year in Tbilisi. © Anastasia Mgaloblishvili

Fears Over Georgia-Belarus Security Agreement

“The agreement is very dangerous for peaceful, non-violent citizens who are escaping torture.”

16 Sep 21

Belarusian dissidents in Poland call for international support against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko after authorities forced a plane to divert to Minsk to allow the detention of a prominent opposition activist. © Omar Marques/Getty Images

Torture Continues in Belarus

Even small acts of defiance can have serious consequences.

2 Sep 21

Vladimir Vardanyan, the lawmaker who co-authored the new law, makes a case for it during the July 30 session that ratified it. © The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Website

Armenia Criminalises Offence

Using foul language or “hurting the dignity” of public figures could lead to up to three months in jail.

17 Aug 21

Kyrgyz Authorities Under Fire After Turkish “Abduction”

Experts fear that circumstances surrounding man’s disappearance will tarnish Kyrgyzstan’s image.

14 Jul 21

Women chant slogans and wave signs on Istiklal street during a demonstration marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew Turkey from Istanbul Convention, which is an international human rights treaty of aiming to protect women against violence. © Burak Kara/Getty Images

Fears Over Turkey’s Looming Exit from Istanbul Convention

Erdogan accused of courting “conservative cults” with controversial move.

14 May 21

A protester makes a three-finger salute in front of a row of riot police, who are holding roses given to them by protesters, on February 06, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. © Getty Images

Myanmar: ‘The Coup Has Robbed Us of Our Rights’

Anyone associated with the protests risks arrest, and no one knows where they are taken.

1 May 21

Frontline worker Gabriela Romanova, a transgender woman finds her happiness helping people with COVID-19. © Courtesy of G. Romanova

Georgia: Trailblazing for Trans Rights

“The pandemic also gave me a chance for a future.”

12 Mar 21

Aya Ameer (L) and her relative Duaa Mohamed during a protest at Tahrir Square in Baghdad.

Iraqi Women Will Not Be Silenced

Wave after wave of protest has shown what freedom of expression really means.

9 Feb 21

Protesters listen to speeches bout their hopes and plans for the future government on May 03, 2019 in Khartoum, Sudan. Thousands of demonstrators continued their mass sit-in outside military headquarters in Khartoum to call on the country's military rulers to cede control. © David Degner/Getty Images

Sudan’s Struggle For Reform

Many repressive laws have been repealed – but progress is slow.