Free speech and censorship
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Iran protests 2022
Shirin Ebadi: "Iran will be democratic one day"
Despite the protests, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi is optimistic about the future of her country. For young Iranians, such a future necessitates the downfall of the Islamic Republic. By Elizabeth Grenier
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Qatar World Cup 2022
Fans: "Abolish sexual and gender identity penalties"
Unflattering terms were used at a German Football Association human rights congress aimed at "intensifying the discussion" ahead of the World Cup. One speaker in particular made waves with an impassioned personal plea. James Thorogood reports
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Press freedom in Egypt
Renewed crackdown threatens last independent news site
Egyptian authorities have Mada Masr in their sights once again after critical reporting. But the editor of the country's last independent news source is adamant they will continue their work. By Jennifer Holleis
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Death of Iranian writer Abbas Maroufi
Engaged in cultural dialogue
Following a serious illness, writer, publisher and journalist Abbas Maroufi has died at the age of 65 in a hospital in Berlin. He was best known for his novel "Symphony of the Dead". By Pedram Habibi
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Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art
Iranians flock to see Western art
For the first time in decades, contemporary Western artworks, from Donald Judd to Christo, are on public display in the Iranian capital. They had long been locked away so as not to offend Islamic values. By Suzanne Cords
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Ukraine conflict
How Russia is winning the information war in the Middle East
A wide network of official and unofficial outlets and social media in Arabic parrot pro-Russian talking points about Ukraine. They are often lies, yet somehow the reports still appeal to people in the Middle East. By Cathrin Schaer and Emad Hassan
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Indian democracy at 75
Narendra Modi’s damaging dominance
In office for more than eight years, Narendra Modi’s high popularity across India and formidable electoral clout make him nearly invincible. But, while his success in amassing political power is unquestionable, his ability to use it for the benefit of the vast majority of citizens remains very much in doubt. By Shashi Tharoor
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Salman Rushdie attack
Summoning up Ayatollah Khomeini's spirit
Thirty-three years after Ayatollah Khomeini first issued his "Satanic Verses" fatwa, the attempt to kill Indian-born British writer Salman Rushdie in the United States proves just how destructive the political instrumentalisation of Islam is, writes Loay Mudhoon
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Salman Rushdie attack in New York
Surge of interest in Rushdie's works
The shocking knife attack on author Salman Rushdie has fanned interest in his works – above all, "The Satanic Verses", which left him living for years under a looming death threat.
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Afghanistan: ‘One of the world’s worst humanitarian crises’
Since the Taliban took control on 15 August 2021, Afghanistan has been suffering a severe humanitarian crisis. UN figures show 95 percent of Afghans going hungry. The situation has been exacerbated by the U.S. decision to freeze the Afghan Central Bank’s assets and international sanctions that are crippling an already fragile economy.
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Afghanistan
One year on, Taliban torn over reforms
One year on from the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, some cracks are opening within their ranks over the crucial question of just how much reform their leaders can tolerate.
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Human rights in Egypt
Egyptian activist Sanaa Seif "disappointed with German politicians"
Sanaa Seif, sister of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, one of Egypt's best-known dissidents, visited Berlin recently. She spoke to Cathrin Schaer about her brother's hunger strike and Europe's double standards on Ukraine and the Middle East