Derya Ekin

17 Feb

The Weaponization of Smartphones: Targeting Dissent in the 21st Century

Derya EkinCivil & Political Rights, Newspaper

The most invasive surveillance imaginable can be found within your smartphone. Without the user ever noticing it, smartphone spyware technology can access every message or email individuals have ever sent or received, as well as every photo or video ever taken. It can turn on microphones and cameras to record screens or surroundings and even […]

22 Oct

Mediterranean Forest Fires: Failure of Foresight

Derya EkinEurope, Middle East, Newspaper, Social & Economic Rights

The Mediterranean basin has long been a favourable summertime location, with vibrant coastal cities and warm temperatures attracting thousands of tourists each year. Encompassing three giant land masses enclosed in a body of water, this region makes for quite a unique geographical space. In recent years, however, the characteristically dry summer months have left this […]

08 Jun

Key Forces Behind China’s Uyghur Detention Camps: Why we repeatedly feel powerless in the face of catastrophe

Derya Ekin2020 – 2021, Asia, Civil & Political Rights, Collective & Developmental Rights

According to experts and US government officials, since April 2017, between 800,000 to 2 million Uyghurs and other Muslims, including ethnic Kazakhs and Uzbeks, have been detained in high security prison camps in Xinjiang. The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) describes them as “re-education camps” necessary to provide vocational training and deradicalization in response […]

05 Feb

#ChallengeAccepted: The Black and White Photos Worth A Thousand Words

Derya Ekin2020 – 2021, Asia, Civil & Political Rights, Europe

Content warning: physical/sexual violence against women. In 2017, the viral #MeToo movement took the world by storm, inspiring women to use their voices to open up about their stories of sexual assault. Social media played an instrumental role in elucidating the toxic rape culture that has long pervaded our society. With the increased time spent […]

31 Dec

A Look into Africa’s Conflict-Ridden Sahel Region in 2020

Derya Ekin2020 – 2021, Africa, Civil & Political Rights, Editors' Picks, Social & Economic Rights

2020 has undoubtedly been a year of mass uncertainty and loss. Worsening climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have elucidated the importance of establishing stability and security within our lives. For families living in the Sahel Region of Africa, the added threat of violent conflict makes for a daunting circumstance. However, years of learning to […]