Equal Times

11 September 2023

“We don’t even know if they’re alive or dead” – families in Iraq desperately search for their missing loved ones

The enforced abductions and disappearances of Iraqi men that have occurred for decades – whether under the regime of Saddam Hussein, during the dark days of the so-called Islamic State’s reign of terror or following anti-government protests in 2019 – continue to haunt the relatives of the [...]Read the full article

Combating recidivism and promoting reintegration: Brazil's experiment with prisons without guards

4 September 2023

Culture

Combating recidivism and promoting reintegration: Brazil’s experiment with prisons without guards

In Brazil, prisons without guards or weapons allow inmates a level of dignity that is rare in the country’s prison system.Read the full article

Even in exile, Egypt makes life impossible for its dissidents

7 July 2023

Human rights

Even in exile, Egypt makes life impossible for its dissidents

The al-Sisi regime is without a doubt one of the most repressive in the world. Its severe reprisals against those who criticise it even in the slightest have driven thousands of dissidents into exile. But even halfway across the world, many are unable to escape the long arm of the [...]Read the full article

11 May 2023

Human rights

Turkey’s political future is at a crossroads

Enis Coşkun: On 14 May, the people of Turkey will elect their president and members of parliament. A hundred years after the foundation of a secular state under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, these elections are crucial to the country’s [...]Read the full article

On the brink of bankruptcy, Tunisia is sliding into populist autocracy

14 April 2023

Politics & economy

On the brink of bankruptcy, Tunisia is sliding into populist autocracy

Kais Saied was elected president in 2019 with more than 70 per cent of the vote. While some warned of the dangers of his brand of populism at the time, no one anticipated a descent into autocracy with racist overtones. Most recently, Saied has targeted opposition politicians and trade [...]Read the full article

In prison for debt, thousands of women are the ‘double victims' of poverty in Egypt

8 March 2023

Human rights

In prison for debt, thousands of women are the ‘double victims’ of poverty in Egypt

Some 30,000 women are currently in prison in Egypt for failing to pay off small loans. NGOs are fighting for a relaxation of the law on debt.Read the full article

Under threat and unable to work, Belarusian trade unionists have taken refuge in Germany to escape prison

15 February 2023

Labour

Under threat and unable to work, Belarusian trade unionists have taken refuge in Germany to escape prison

Since the controversial elections in August 2020 and the subsequent protest movement, and even more so since the beginning of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the whole of civil society in Belarus has come under threat from the government of Alexander [...]Read the full article

The stifling gag on civil society in Morocco

10 February 2023

Human rights

The stifling gag on civil society in Morocco

The announcement that Morocco allegedly bribed prominent figures in the European Parliament to defend its interests in Brussels has led to increased scrutiny of human rights violations in Morocco. The resulting picture is not a flattering [...]Read the full article

Voluntary initiatives give hope to refugees on the Greek island of Samos

13 January 2023

Human rights

Voluntary initiatives give hope to refugees on the Greek island of Samos

According to the organisations working to protect migrants, the closed camp is like a “prison” and is detrimental to their mental health. Initiatives have emerged on the island to help take the asylum seekers’ minds off these difficulties and give them fresh hope in their search for a new [...]Read the full article

In California, ex-prisoners have won the right to a second chance

2 December 2022

Human rights

In California, ex-prisoners have won the right to a second chance

In September, California governor Gavin Newsom signed ground-breaking new legislation allowing people who have committed a crime to apply to have their records expunged. A first of its kind in the United States, the law comes as a relief to hundreds of thousands of former inmates who struggle [...]Read the full article

Egypt's NGOs and activists are not welcome at COP27

31 October 2022

Human rights

Egypt’s NGOs and activists are not welcome at COP27

“The Egyptian authorities are sending a clear message to Egyptian NGOs that what happens in Egypt must be kept hidden from the rest of the world. NGOs from all over the world can go there but Egyptian NGOs are not welcome.”Read the full article

After one month of protests, Iranian women are still leading the charge to freedom

17 October 2022

Human rights

After one month of protests, Iranian women are still leading the charge to freedom

The economic situation has grown worse with the pandemic and the restrictions on women’s rights have been tightened since Ebrahim Raisi became president in 2021. Poorer and with very limited opportunities, Iran’s women are calling for equal rights, and their demands and grievances are resonating [...]Read the full article

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