Society

Muslims in Germany following the Berlin attack

"It's not our fault!"

In the wake of the attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, Muslims are bracing for the next round of accusations. As more details concerning the possible motivation and origin of the perpetrator begin to emerge, Muslims in Germany know what is coming. By Dunja Ramadan
By Dunja Ramadan
Nir Baram: ″In a land beyond the mountains″

Danger in the olive groves

In 2014 and 2015, Israeli author Nir Baram travelled through the occupied territories of the West Bank. Recently published in German as "Im Land der Verzweifelung", his latest book is the chronicle of that journey and of what he saw and heard among the refugees, settlers, Jews, Palestinians and activists living there. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Lesbians in Iran

Between desire and taboo

When one speaks of homosexuals in Iran, it is usually men who are meant. The existence of Iranian lesbians is simply not mentioned, even as the subject of homophobic jokes. But Cupid's arrows also inflame passions among Iranian women – wherever and however they strike. By Shirin Soltani
By Shirin Soltani
Islam in Germany

A poor second

Germany is a secular country, but the German legal framework approves of institutionalised religions in a biased way. The religions must organise themselves according to state standards and those standards are tailored toward the structures of the Christian religion. A commentary by Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Görlach
Child trafficking in Iran

The agony of the destitute

More and more parents are selling their children out of economic desperation across Iran. Unfortunately, the government is suspicious of NGOs wanting to help. By Shabnam von Hein
By Shabnam von Hein
Syrian refugees and Arab mosques in Germany

″Allah is listening″

Syrian refugees in Germany are alarmed by Arab mosques, often supported by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, which preach ultra-conservative or highly literal interpretations of Islam, such as Wahhabism or Salafism. By Joseph Nasr
By Joseph Nasr
Azza Soliman, an Egyptian feminist at risk

"What has Azza done?"

To portray the extent of authoritarianism of the Egyptian state, it is often said that ″even″ feminists and women′s organisations are being targeted, since feminism and women′s issues are not generally perceived as a threat by authoritarian regimes. Yet that′s a flawed premise, argues Mozn Hassan
By Mozn Hassan
Palestinians in purgatory

Eternally displaced

The number of internally displaced Palestinians is currently estimated to be around 300,000. A fact the Israeli government is keen to ignore. Hardly surprising, considering that acknowledging IDP rights of return would necessarily entail recognising the events of 1948 in their entirety. By Mona Bieling
By Mona Bieling
New wave of Turkish asylum-seekers

Ever optimistic

More and more Turks are applying for political asylum in Germany. They feel threatened and repressed by the Erdogan government and they fear for their lives. Most applicants are Kurds, like Mazhar Zumrut. Yet whether or not the Kurd from Diyarbakir may remain in Germany is uncertain. Report by Volker Witting
By Volker Witting
Women's rights in Iran

Freedom by stealth – and its public impact

The "My Stealthy Freedom" Internet campaign is designed to make Iranians aware of women’s rights in their homeland. The project’s aim is to free women from their often passive victim roles and inspire them to start their own initiatives. By Iman Aslani
By Iman Aslani
Iran′s image in the West

Sheer incredulity

Journalists, business people, tourists, artists and culture professionals – in 2016 many more foreigners travelled to Iran than in previous years. The visitors often remark on how inspiring the "desire for freedom" and "cosmopolitanism" of young Iranians in particular is, leading to a host of superficial observations. By Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Hate crime report by Germany′s Institute for Human Rights

Time to stem the tide

Thanks to the divisive rhetoric of US President-elect Donald Trump, respect for human rights took a battering during the US election campaign. All the more important therefore that Germany and its European partners remain committed to upholding them. By Hugh Williamson