Free speech and censorship
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Repression in Turkey
Art in exile: a prison cell as exhibition venue
What form does artistic freedom take in prison? The exhibition "Museum of Small Things" by exiled Turkish journalist Can Dundar explores the topic. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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The generals, the Buddhists and the Rohingya
Myanmar's Gen Z – "You messed with the wrong generation"
Protests against the 1 February military coup, which ousted Aun San Suu Kyi, continue in Myanmar despite an increasingly brutal crackdown. At the same time there are signs that widespread public resentment against the country's Muslim Rohingya minority may be softening. Dominik Muller reports
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MEP Dietmar Koester on Fortress Europe
"The EU allows human rights to be trampled underfoot"
EU parliamentarian Dietmar Koester criticises the Union's failure to speak up when faced with human rights abuses committed by its Middle Eastern allies, while pointing out that its own isolationist migration policies contravene fundamental European values. Interview by Ismail Azzam
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Author and critic Elias Khoury
"Lebanon has always rebelled against political repression"
For years the Arab intellectual elite looked to Lebanon, coveting its atmosphere of freedom. Feigning the non-existence of repression, Beirut welcomed intellectuals from across the region, published their works and celebrated them. Yet, even following the murder of Lokman Slim, the powers that be are incapable of controlling everything. An essay by Elias Khoury
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The legacy of the Arab Spring
"The Syrian revolution is resumable today and tomorrow"
On the 10th anniversary of the Arab Spring we can’t quite escape that substance called remembrance. Yet, eschewing facile modes of nostalgic remembrance and/or tragic lamentation, we opt for asking questions. Yassin Al-Hajj Saleh reflects
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Joe Biden and U.S. policy on Turkey
No more special privileges for Recep Tayyip Erdogan
The foreign policy direction favoured by Washington's new incumbent is putting a strain on relations with Turkey. The two nations look set to clash over a whole host of issues, from human rights concerns to the S 400 Russian missile system, Ronald Meinardus writes in his analysis for Qantara.de
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Israel millennials express grassroots opposition
Are we talking lockdown fatigue or Netanyahu fatigue?
FIT TLV is the latest initiative by Tel Aviv’s youth to keep on partying during the coronavirus crisis. FIT describe themselves as "Free. Individuals. Together" – cycling, rollerblading and skating collectively every Friday in the Mediterranean metropole. By Djamilia Prange de Oliveira
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UAE and Sheikh Maktoum under pressure
Dubai's double standards – where is Princess Latifa?
The United Arab Emirates' carefully administered public image is taking a different turn. Growing calls for evidence that Princess Latifa is alive reflect the Emirate's double standards on human rights. Jennifer Holleis reports
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Icons of Egypt's 2011 revolution: where are they now?
Ten years after Egypt's January 25 revolution, many of those who led protests are either disillusioned or in jail. By Cathrin Schaer
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Statement released by Human Rights Watch
"Critical juncture" for human rights in Egypt
More than 100 organisations consider the situation in Egypt under head of state Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to be so bad that they are calling for the UN Human Rights Council to intervene
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Press killings in Afghanistan
Afghan journalists forced to run a murderous gauntlet
In recent months, Afghanistan has been rocked by a wave of targeted killings aiming at civil rights activists and journalists. Marian Brehmer talked to Mujeeb Khalvatgar, director of NGO NAI – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, about the dire situation currently facing Afghan journalists
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Alireza Abiz' "Censorship of Literature in Post-Revolutionary Iran"
Iranian literature – the censor’s mindset
The Islamic Republic has a strict and often arbitrary system of censoring artistic and journalistic works. An in-depth investigation by writer Alireza Abiz uncovers the details and their impact on the book trade. By Gerrit Wustmann