human rights – Catalyst

Canada’s Approach to the COVID-19 Vaccine

March 4, 2021March 3, 20216 min read Juliana Malka

The Canadian immunization rate is not as high as the United States' rate largely because of the challenges of vaccine quantity and distribution in Canada. This brings to question the efficiency of Canada’s inoculation strategies and priorities.

The Tigray Crisis in Ethiopia: What You Need to Know

February 25, 2021February 25, 20214 min read Penni Tenzin

It has now been just over three months since the federal government’s military offence, but the Tigray crisis is far from over. With the lack of humanitarian aid, the future of the Tigrayan citizenry remains in the dark as they bear the brunt of the conflict.

How the International Community Has Failed the Uighur Minority

February 21, 2021March 4, 20217 min read Melanie Baume

According to Hu Lianhe, a Communist Party official, this ‘re-education’ campaign only targets petty criminals that are assigned to “vocational education facilities for rehabilitation and reintegration” . Yet, testimonies from individuals who have worked or been detained in the camps as well as leaked information report cases of human rights violations.

Reparative Conversations: Transitional Justice in Albania, an Interview with Kristale Ivezaj Rama

December 16, 2020December 29, 20206 min read Adriana Gabriela Franco

Rama believes this project is a “tiny seed” in the greater movement towards transitional justice, something those living in Albania need to be able to move forward. Limitations on free speech and an unstable economy are just some of the lasting effects of this period in Albania, and as Rama so eloquently put, the “people can’t think about the past if they are too preoccupied with the present and worry about their future”.

Buying a Blind Eye: The Abuse of Liberty in Saudi Arabia

December 11, 2020December 29, 20206 min read Santhindu Wijesooriya

The Saudi agenda is based purely on the goals and aspirations of the royal family. It violates and marginalizes many groups such as Shia Muslims and women through the use of strong central authority and strict enforcement of arbitrary laws and regulations. The government condones and conducts the unfair treatment of activists and those who aim to change the discriminatory status quo in the powerful, oil-rich state.

Grappling With the Surge of Gender Violence During COVID-19

December 10, 2020December 29, 20206 min read Misbah Lalani

Activism in the realm of women’s rights and more specifically in prevention and treatment of violence towards women is an arena that must be tackled from multiple angles. Gendered violence is an age-old problem that cannot be solved in one fell swoop. Rather, one must recognize the severity and depth of the issue in order to properly act.

Alessandra Munduruku: A Symbol Hope for the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil

December 9, 2020December 29, 20206 min read Ines Navarre

Above everything, the 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights prize has revealed the importance of Alessandra Korap Munduruku and other Indigenous peoples’ claims and has officially marked her place as a relevant figure for human rights activism. The award may be perceived as just another step closer to the recognition of Brazilian indigenous’ rights.

Human Rights Activism Week — Opening Statement

December 8, 2020December 29, 20204 min read The Catalyst Editorial Board

The need for action on Human Rights is at an all-time high—and our set of pieces selected for this week aspire to demonstrate the various ways that organizations and individuals have worked to push back against growing inequities present across the world. In the end, we hope that these articles will fuel a sense of empowerment, ultimately showing that bottoms-up activism remains alive and well, despite trying times.

Mapping, Filming, and Eliminating FGM

December 3, 2020December 29, 20206 min read Maeve Williams

Although the practice is against the law in Tanzania, FGM continues to be widespread, particularly in rural areas like the Mara Region. In addition, it is widely culturally accepted to the degree that “during the cutting season, you can’t get protection in the community”. as human rights activist Rhobi Samwelly explains.

Challenging the International Response to the Refugee Crisis

November 11, 2020December 29, 20207 min read Melanie Baume

Thus far, the global response of most developed countries has been to funnel money into the international refugee support system, which provides humanitarian aid relief through the establishment of refugee camps. As these camps are short-term solutions, in most host countries, refugees lack the right to work or move freely. This might not have been a problem if the duration of their stay were short, however the conflicts from which refugees flee usually last indefinitely.