Small Image
9894
paged,wp-singular,page-template,page-template-blog-small-image,page-template-blog-small-image-php,page,page-id-9894,page-child,parent-pageid-1815,paged-166,page-paged-166,wp-theme-bridge,wp-child-theme-WACC-bridge,bridge-core-3.3.5,qodef-qi--no-touch,qi-addons-for-elementor-1.11.1,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-title-hidden,qode-smooth-scroll-enabled,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-30.9.1,qode-theme-bridge,qode_header_in_grid,qode-wpml-enabled,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-9.0.1,vc_responsive,elementor-default,elementor-kit-41156

Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, has published its Front Line Defenders Global Analysis 2019. It details the physical assaults, defamation campaigns, digital security threats, judicial harassment, and gender-based attacks faced by human rights defenders around the world.

One of the main sites of struggle for global civil society in 2020 will be digital platforms and social media. The authorities in several countries are finding ways to restrict and suppress democratic debate with legislation that casts a wide net around what is considered offensive or derogatory.

Growing tensions between the United States and Iran marked the first two weeks of 2020. News cycles have been dominated by coverage of the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, the killing of a high-profile Iranian general, Iranian attacks on US military bases, and the horrific downing of a passenger airplane in Tehran, sparking fears that the conflict could ignite  another full-out war in the Middle East. The situation has also affected Iranian Americans,  many of whom have reported being questioned about their political views when entering or leaving the United States.