Daily News and Updates
People Power Rages in Armenia as Opposition Declares Revolution
Fueled by fear, hope, and anger, more than ten thousand Armenians have come out in protest to oppose the appointment of Serzh Sarkisian as prime minister. The leader of the demonstration has called for nonviolence, but past instances of excessive force by police against peaceful protesters bode poorly for those out on the streets. As the situation rapidly develops, and democracy slips from the people’s hands, their measured responses will be critical for charting the course of this conflict.
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Srdja Popovic Installed as St Andrews’ 53rd Rector
On Friday, April 13, Srdja Popovic officially became the 53rd Rector of the Scotland’s first university. “I am proud and honoured to serve as a Rector – a voice and empowerment of students of St Andrews. I am ready to commit my term to listening to the students and turning their initiatives into concrete action!”
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Bead Portrait Raises Awareness of Violence Against Indigenous Women
A Native American artist/activist is creating a large-scale portrait out of 4,000 beads. Each bead is to represent an indigenous woman who has gone missing or been murdered, and was hand-rolled by community members across the US. The portrait will honor the sister of a victim, and promote awareness of this issue through socially engaged art.
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Thousands of Pashtuns Rally for the Right to Live Without Fear
Approximately 60,000 Pashtun and Pakistani activists rallied recently in the city of Peshawar, demanding an end to decades of political mistreatment, the removal of military checkpoints in tribal areas, and the release of their friends and relatives who have been taken as political prisoners by the Pakistani government.
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India’s Dalit Protest Dilution of Act Protecting Them Against Class Crimes
The Supreme Court in India ruled to dilute the protections laid out in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, sparking protest across the country. The deaths of 10 protesters followed, and political leaders called for peace. The government filed a petition to have the court review their ruling, and the fight for human rights continues.
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New Malaysian Bill Against Fake News Isn’t Solving Any Problems
It’s no secret that in this modern age of fast and easy communication, fake news has become a serious threat to justice and democracy. Malaysia caught the world’s attention this week, however, after introducing a controversial bill that effectively worsens the very crisis it’s trying to solve.
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Vietnam’s Own Lady Gaga Detained Post Album Promo
Singer and activist Mai Khoi Do Nguyen was detained upon returning from Europe, where she was promoting her most recent album titled “Dissent.” Her fame has so far kept her relatively safe from the harassment many Vietnamese activists experience. But, as the regime grows more comfortable exerting its power and the international community turns a blind eye to human rights violations, even those above the fray are subject to the whims of the government.
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Farmers in India March For Six Days For Change In Agrarian System
Farmers in India are tired of a failing system and an unresponsive government. Over 45,000 people marched for six days until they reached Mumbai, where they were greeted by supportive community members, and presented their demands to state ministers. The government listened to their demands, and when the protestors returned home, they had promises of change on 100% of their demands.
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Murder of Brazilian Activist Brings People Power out in Force
The recent murder of Brazilian human rights activist and Councilwoman Marielle Franco has deeply shaken the communities she advocated for. More than a thousand people have taken to the streets of Rio de Janeiro in protest of not only her killing, but also its suspicious and abhorrent context. By mourning her loss, their voices prove something important: She was not alone.
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“O, Canada, You’re on Native Land”
Kinder Morgan, North American energy infrastructure giant, wants to build a new pipeline through indigenous land, endangering the waterways and all those who live there. The people of First Nations are standing up and fighting back. Their resistance movement includes building Tiny Houses as an assertion of indigenous sovereignty and taking the struggle to the courts.
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Journalist’s Murder Sparks Protests and Progress in Slovakia
Two weeks ago, an investigative journalist was murdered. In the time since, tens of thousands of people have taken to streets across Slovakia, demanding justice, change, and a better, more democratic future.
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A Look at the Failure of Aung San Suu Kyi
In 2012, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Elie Wiesel Award for human rights. Earlier this week, the honor was rescinded. How could it be that this leader, once among the most respected champions of human rights in history, has now so egregiously abandoned her virtues?
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