Society

Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion

Inside the death squad

Bangladesh's elite counterterrorism force is committing extrajudicial killings, DW and Netra News reveal in a new investigation. Insiders confirm high-ranking approval. By Christian Caurla, Naomi Conrad, Arafatul Islam and Birgitta Schuelke
By Christian Caurla, Naomi Conrad, Arafatul Islam, Birgitta Schuelke-Gill
India opposition and the Bharat Jodo Yatra

Rahul Gandhi marches for unity

From September 2022 to January 2023, Rahul Gandhi walked the length of India to demonstrate against Narendra Modi and the BJP's divisive policies and rhetoric. Sentenced to two years for 'Modi' defamation on 24 March, Gandhi has now been stripped of his parliamentary mandate. Sonja Hegasy met with political observer S. M. Faizan Ahmed, who joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi
By Sonja Hegasy
Muslims in Europe

"For integration, read assimilation"

Islam expert Schirin Amir-Moazami says Europe must take a more critical look at the social and political conditions under which Muslims immigrated to Europe – and in which they now live. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Reconstruction of Mosul in Iraq

"The city will be stronger in future"

The fortunes of the city of Mosul are an illustration of Iraq’s long and arduous path out of destruction and back to regular life: years after the offensive against Islamic State, parts of the city are still in ruins. But there is hope. By Karin A. Wenger (text) and Philipp Breu (photos)
By Karin A. Wenger, Philipp Breu
Libya's first female de-miners

Dealing with more than bombs

The first women to clear dangerous explosives in Libya are part of an international trend towards gender equality in the job. Cathrin Schaer and Islam Alatrash report
By Islam Alatrash, Cathrin Schaer
Islamophobia in Germany

Muslims face everyday hate

Last Friday – 15 March – was the UN's International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In Germany, many of the 5.5 million-strong Muslim community say they experience discrimination every day. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Iraqi YouTube star's murder

How to end domestic violence in Iraq?

In Iraq, the murder of another young woman by a family member has led to renewed calls for the country's government to finally enact a law on domestic violence, one that has been stuck in parliamentary limbo for years. Cathrin Schaer reports
By Cathrin Schaer
Iran – schoolgirl poisonings

Threats in place of investigation

The Iranian regime has pledged to mete out harsh punishments to those responsible for suspected poison attacks on girls’ schools. Such promises ring hollow. If nothing else, the state appears to tolerate the mysterious poisonings. Analysis by Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
20 years after Saddam's fall

Iraq still haunted by missing persons

When he first heard that U.S. troops had toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraqi engineer Hazem Mohammed thought he would finally be able to find his brother, who had been shot dead and dumped in a mass grave after a failed uprising against Saddam's rule in 1991
Israel writers protest

"They want control of our books"

Writers have barely been visible in the recent nationwide protests against the new Israeli government's reforms. Now, however, things have taken a dramatic turn. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Syria earthquake aftermath

Life is a whole lot worse for women

For women in northwestern Syria, the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes has deepened the trauma of 12 years of war. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Afghan refugees in Portugal

Regenerating soil and soul

Human rights activists who fled the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan get the chance of a new start in life in Portugal thanks to a permaculture initiative focusing on ecology, agroforestry, social justice and solidarity. Marta Vidal reports
By Marta Vidal