Justice
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Treading the Turkish tightrope
The European Union risks empowering Erdogan at its peril
Fraught with disagreement, relations between the EU and Turkey under Erdogan have rarely been easy. Bearing in mind recent developments, the Union needs to present a clear and united front in its dealings with Ankara. By Marc Pierini
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Turkey's failing justice system
Desperate for justice, Turks resort to trial by Twitter
Recently, Twitter has become something of a people's court for Turks seeking justice. Particularly in cases of violence against women and animal rights, social media is regarded as the final legal avenue for those demanding a just ruling, yet the risk of cyber-bullying is high. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Interview with Iranian activist Taghi Rahmani
"A robust civil society is the essence of democracy"
The execution of wrestler Navid Afkari triggered an international outcry, as well as protests against the Iranian justice system. At the same time, it has highlighted the persistently precarious situation of many human rights activists in the Islamic Republic. Azadeh Fathi spoke to the journalist and activist Taghi Rahmani
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Riad Seif’s testimony at the Syrian torture trial in Germany
A Syrian opposition legend speaks out
In the first case of its kind anywhere in the world, a German court is probing Syria's state torture system. Giving testimony at the trial is one of Syria's most widely respected opposition figures, Riad Seif, who helped the accused, Anwar R., get a visa for Germany. By Matthias von Hein
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New law on Turkish bar associations
Damaging judicial impartiality
While the government claims the new lawyers' act will be more pluralistic and democratic, lawyers believe it will harm the right to free trial and split them down political lines. By Ayşe Karabat
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Interview with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi
"Ruhollah Zam's death sentence is a political judgement"
The death sentence against journalist Ruhollah Zam in Iran has been criticised worldwide. Iran has said it will not accept any interference in its "internal affairs". Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi takes Tehran to task over the matter. Interview by Shabnam von Hein
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Fourth Brussels Syria Conference
After nine years of war, who is helping the Syrians?
Twelve million Syrians are dependent on humanitarian aid, a sombre figure that conceals much suffering and high costs, of which Europe bears 80%. With an aid shortfall looming, the EU is mobilising donations and counting on civil society. Christian Hanelt argues that Brussels must take a stronger stance politically if the suffering is to stop
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War crimes in Syria
Can Syrian sexual violence survivors get justice in Germany?
Brutal sexualised violence is widespread in Syrian prisons – and yet the subject receives little attention. Human rights activists are trying to achieve justice for thousands of victims in Germany. By Lisa Ellis
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Islamic State on trial
Prosecuting IS returnees in Germany takes the law's longest arm
An increasing number of Islamic State returnees are standing trial in Germany, including female supporters of the terror group. To make their case, federal prosecutors are relying on international criminal law. By Matthias von Hein
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Women's rights in the Islamic world
Arab Christian women take a stand against church paternalism
Churches in the Middle East – Coptic, Eastern Orthodox, Maronite – typically share the conservative values of their Islamic surroundings. Yet the resistance of Arab Christian women to church paternalism is growing. Claudia Mende reports
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Germany's headscarf ruling
The things headscarves reveal
The judges at Germany's Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe are wrong to treat the hijab as a purely "religious symbol". The act of a woman demonstratively covering her head is not a gesture of subjugation, but of rebellion. A commentary by Sonja Zekri
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Muslims in Myanmar
What hope The Hague for the Rohingya?
The first hearings at the International Court of Justice reflect the entrenched positions in the Rohingya crisis. Rodion Ebbighausen believes the trial may finally help to soften the fronts