As world leaders gather at the UN this week for the General Assembly, we are keeping one eye on their speeches and activities, and the other on citizen journalists who are reporting on human rights and the impact of international policy from the ground.

Here are highlights from recently featured videos on the channel:

Syria

In a fascinating interview in the suburbs of Damascus, Syria, one man describes how the 23 inhabitants of his house survived the August 21st chemical attack that he says killed many of his neighbors.

Japan

Below is the original short, raw, cell phone video that jumpstarted a nationwide conversation in Japan about sports and corporal punishment. The video, taken by a high school student, captures the school’s volleyball coach repeatedly slapping a student. The teacher reportedly has a history of corporal punishment, but had never been disciplined for his action.

This week, we’re monitoring:

  • Guinea, whose parliamentary election has been put off until September 28th, following violent clashes between political factions and amidst continued concerns about the government’s preparedness to hold a free and fair election.

The most recent citizen videos of human rights issues can always be found on our Citizen Watch and Watching Syria video playlists. Both are updated daily.

Catch the latest citizen videos by following us on Twitter – @ythumanrights. If you’d like to be added to our weekly reporters email, send a request to madeleine [at] witness [dot] org.

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