In Thailand, massive anti-government demonstrations have prompted the prime minister to invoke emergency powers, while in Egypt, protesters have taken to the streets to oppose, and put to the test, a new law restricting freedom of association. Meanwhile contenders in Honduras’ Sunday election are both claiming victory, and Nepali voters are awaiting the results of their own election.
We’re following these issues and more this week on the Human Rights Channel.
Saudi Arabia
In the first half of November, Saudi Arabia deported 60,000 illegal immigrants, and another million voluntarily left the country. The mass exodus was due to the expiration of an amnesty bill for undocumented n Thailand, massive anti-government demonstrations have prompted the prime minister to invoke foreign workers, but it has caused concern and backlash within the Ethiopian diaspora as migrants complained of brutality during the raids on immigrant neighborhoods, and pointed to citizen videos as evidence of their allegations. Our video playlist compiles citizen videos of riots in the Manfuhah district of Riyadh and of immigrants lining up to leave the country.
Egypt
Egyptians greeted a new law that effectively bans protests with, none other than- a protest. In this video, students at Azhar University hold a rally opposing such restrictions on their rights to associate and express their political beliefs.
Honduras
We have seen very little citizen or advocacy video to emerge from the elections in Honduras, as the country has proven to be a dangerous place for journalists and activists. In fact, in this footage regarding targeted killings of campesinos in the Bajo Aguán valley of Honduras, many of the subjects express fear for their lives, and most of the filmers are not Hondurans but rather international advocacy organizations.
Thailand
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invoked emergency powers to keep anti-government protests under control. This citizen video from Monday night captures the streets of Bangkok filled with people after demonstrators raided two government buildings, calling for the fall of the government. Their anger is over legislation that would give amnesty to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was convicted in absentia of corruption.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
Finally, this week marks the start of the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. For those behind the cameras documenting human rights abuse, WITNESS has released a new video series on how to conduct interviews with survivors of sexual and gender based violence. For more resources on documenting sexual and gender based violence, visit our website, which will be updated with profiles of video activists throughout the duration of the #16Days campaign.
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.