Women fighting for their rights in the country
The stories are about women who are moving towards the goal by facing various challenges. Some are journalists by profession, some are human rights activists, players, lawyers, students or general workers. They have continued to fight from their respective positions to protect the rights and freedom of speech of the citizens of the country.
The Canada-based International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) has published an article about such indomitable women from Asia and the Pacific. This article was published last Tuesday ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.
IFEX is a platform for more than 119 organizations and organizations working to ensure human rights and freedom of expression around the world. The article, titled "Women in Focus: Standing Up to Attacks and Defending the Rights of All", was written by Mong Palatino, IFEX Regional Editor.
The article highlights the militant roles of Indian journalist Rana Ayub, Prothom Alo special correspondent Rozina Islam, Sri Lankan lawyer and former commissioner of the country's Human Rights Commission Ambika Satkunanathan, Papua New Guinea journalist Shincha Dimara, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai and Pakistani lawyer Nighat Dad. They are accompanied by the ongoing hijab movement in India and the women who have been cut from Cambodia's Naga World Casino to protest.
Rana Ayub
India's award-winning journalist Rana Ayub is a columnist for the Washington Post . Criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn the ironic ridicule of extremist Hindu nationalists. In January, he tweeted about human rights abuses against Yemeni civilians. He was also the victim of a massive troll of Saudi Arabian supporters. Rana Ayub and his family received 28,000 tweets a day threatening to kill and rape. Online harassment does not end here. The Government of India ordered the confiscation of his assets and bank accounts. The journalist is accused of embezzling funds raised to help victims of Kovid-19. Despite such adversity, Rana Ayub remained steadfast in his position.
The UN human rights body declared its support for Rana. Various media groups, including a journalist, issued a statement urging a journalist to stop harassing him in the line of duty.
Rozina Islam
According to IFEX, Rozina Islam has made many important reports on corruption and epidemics in Bangladesh's health sector. He was arrested on May 18, 2021 at the Ministry of Health. There he was detained for six hours and physically and mentally harassed. Later, a case was filed against Rozina Islam under the Official Secrets Act. He was detained for seven days.
The case against Rozina Islam is still ongoing. Various domestic and international human rights organizations and alliances have issued a statement calling for the withdrawal of the ongoing harassment case against Rozina Islam. These statements state that the law in which the allegations were made is the official secrets of the colonial period. It is not suitable for the present age. Rozina Islam has the right to justice. A statement said, "Rozina Islam's case paints a picture of the growing repression of free journalism in Bangladesh. In the course of their professional duties, at least 60 journalists were attacked, injured or killed in 2021. Those who are disclosing information about government irregularities or disagreeing with the government, in particular, are at risk.
Bangladeshi investigative journalist Rozina Islam has received the Free Press Award 2021 as the 'Best Indomitable Brave'. The award was given to him by Free Press Unlimited, an Amsterdam-based company in the Netherlands. Rozina Islam was the first Bangladeshi to receive this award.
Shincha Dimara
Shincha Dimara, head of news at Papua New Guinea's state-owned EMTV. He has a career of 33 years. However, he was suspended for criticizing political interference in EMTV under Pacific Media Group. Other journalists in the group took to the streets in support of Shincha Dimara. They opposed the authorities' unjust move and demanded the immediate reinstatement of Shincha Dimara.
According to one report, Shincha Dimara was suspended for 21 days for disobedience. His 'crime', he questioned the involvement of a minister in an incident and the police action in that regard. He criticized the editorial in this regard. Shincha Dimara's co-workers were also initially fired. They were later fired.
Ambika Satkunanathan
Renowned Sri Lankan lawyer Ambika Satkunanathan. He is a former commissioner of the country's human rights commission. During a speech to the European Parliament's subcommittee on human rights on January 26, he accused Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa of undermining the right of ordinary people to speak in the country under the government. The Sri Lankan government has claimed that his statement was misleading and untrue. Ambika feared that the government's statement in this regard could be an 'attempt to silence critics of the government's policies and actions'.
At the same time, Ambika complained that the government was spreading various propaganda against her. However, Ambika Satkunanathan insisted that those in power have the right to speak out against the fallout. Various quarters, including civil society, took a stand in favor of Ambika. They expressed concern over the government's behavior.
Peng Shuai
Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai last year accused a high-ranking official of the ruling Communist Party of sexual harassment. Soon after, he was no longer seen in public. His online account was also deleted. The incident shocked his supporters and sportspersons around the world.
An interview with Peng Shuai was published in a French daily on February 8. Then the Winter Olympics were going on. But even then, fans' concerns about his safety did not go away. He made a statement last November, but later withdrew it. Although he has been seen moving around a bit in recent times, there are still doubts about whether he has the right to speak and move freely.
The Women's Professional Tennis Tour (WTA), along with various human rights organizations, has been calling for an impartial inquiry into the matter.
Nighat Dad
Nighat Dad, founder and director of the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), a Pakistani lawyer and a member of IFEX, works to ensure human rights through digital rights. She is especially vocal about women's rights through digital. Apart from this, Nighat Dader has a special reputation in the international arena for fighting against minorities and dissidents. But for this, his team has to work hard and face many adversities.
Cambodian women on strike
On December 16, 2021, more than 1,300 female employees of Cambodia's Naga World Casino were laid off. They became vocal in protest. They went on strike demanding compensation and return to work. Since then, these women have been subjected to various forms of violence by the authorities. They are being threatened in various ways. Some women have accused the police of sexual harassment. Civil society groups say the government has repeatedly targeted women to disrupt peaceful strikes. However, after so many things, they did not give up. They are fighting for their rights.
Movement against ban on hijab
Students in some government colleges in the Indian state of Karnataka staged a protest last February against the ban on the hijab. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has argued for a ban on the hijab, citing public safety concerns. But according to human rights activists, this was the latest example of government action on the issue of pushing Muslims to the margins. The matter has been taken to court.
0 Comments