Who rules Iraq? If you ask Baghdad officials or the Obama administration's proconsuls, they will tell you: a democratically elected Iraqi government, a triumphant product of the "purple revolution" that reflects the will of Iraq's people. If you ask Mashal, a shopkeeper from Baghdad's al-Sha'ab neighbourhood, he has a different answer.
This week, researcher Juliana Cano Nieto is back in Turkey, witnessing the successes and challenges of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender human rights movement. Activists have achieved ever-increasing visibility; at the same time violence, particularly against Turkey's transgender communities, remains a fact of life.
Under right-wing and left-wing governments alike, India has prided itself on its status as the world’s largest democracy. Civic freedoms, an independent judiciary, and basic political rights for citizens are part of that promise. But in India and far too many other democracies, rights that are arguably even more basic—to be who you are, to live freely in your body, even to call yourself a citizen if society despises you—are a different matter.
Shumail Raj and Shehzina Tariq have become the centre of a tragedy known throughout Pakistan and the world. Who are they? Eight months ago, Shumail and Shehzina were married in a ceremony that Shehzina describes as “a love marriage.” But since their story became public, they have been called every sort of name by reporters, lawyers, comedians, by people in the street.
In a recent (Monday, May 22) column in this newspaper, deputy solicitor general, Stephen Vasciannie, suggested that Jamaica has no legal obligation to repeal its sodomy laws because no international treaty explicitly recognises a right to homosexual sex, and no reasonable interpretation of the law could justify this conclusion.
Dancehall reggae's celebration of anti-gay violence reflects views in Jamaica that seem to be shared by government and police. Without a change in attitude the island will be ravaged by HIV/AIDS, warns Rebecca Schleifer.
American democracy provides inspiration by example (rather than by military occupation) to people all over the world who are seeking justice and freedom. And it is important to note that democracy circumscribed at home can encourage anti-democratic forces abroad.
Who rules Iraq? If you ask Baghdad officials or the Obama administration's proconsuls, they will tell you: a democratically elected Iraqi government, a triumphant product of the "purple revolution" that reflects the will of Iraq's people. If you ask Mashal, a shopkeeper from Baghdad's al-Sha'ab neighbourhood, he has a different answer.
This week, researcher Juliana Cano Nieto is back in Turkey, witnessing the successes and challenges of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender human rights movement. Activists have achieved ever-increasing visibility; at the same time violence, particularly against Turkey's transgender communities, remains a fact of life.
Under right-wing and left-wing governments alike, India has prided itself on its status as the world’s largest democracy. Civic freedoms, an independent judiciary, and basic political rights for citizens are part of that promise. But in India and far too many other democracies, rights that are arguably even more basic—to be who you are, to live freely in your body, even to call yourself a citizen if society despises you—are a different matter.
When talking about Iranian asylum seekers, activists should be careful not to play the Home Office's game
Shumail Raj and Shehzina Tariq have become the centre of a tragedy known throughout Pakistan and the world. Who are they? Eight months ago, Shumail and Shehzina were married in a ceremony that Shehzina describes as “a love marriage.” But since their story became public, they have been called every sort of name by reporters, lawyers, comedians, by people in the street.
In a recent (Monday, May 22) column in this newspaper, deputy solicitor general, Stephen Vasciannie, suggested that Jamaica has no legal obligation to repeal its sodomy laws because no international treaty explicitly recognises a right to homosexual sex, and no reasonable interpretation of the law could justify this conclusion.
Dancehall reggae's celebration of anti-gay violence reflects views in Jamaica that seem to be shared by government and police. Without a change in attitude the island will be ravaged by HIV/AIDS, warns Rebecca Schleifer.
American democracy provides inspiration by example (rather than by military occupation) to people all over the world who are seeking justice and freedom. And it is important to note that democracy circumscribed at home can encourage anti-democratic forces abroad.