Laura Shorten


My Publications

Mzemo •

Women's Rights in the MENA Region: Progress & Obstacles

A Background to Women’s Rights in the MENA Region

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and an imperative foundation which lays the groundwork for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. The development of women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has seen much progress and obstacles over the past decade. However, the unequal status of women stands out as a particularly challenging problem.

Following “International Women’s Day” last month, this article provi
Mzemo •

26 Million People Affected By Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Powerful earthquakes and aftershocks struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on the 6th and 20th of February, 2023.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 26 million people need humanitarian assistance. The death toll is climbing above 50,000 and is expected to rise as many victims remain missing.

Furthermore, the WHO calls the Turkey-Syria earthquakes the “worst natural disaster” in the region in 100 years.

On February 6th 2023, the first earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and
Mzemo •

Yemen's Humanitarian Catastrophe 2023: Explained

Yemen has been experiencing an armed conflict and humanitarian crisis since 2015, with seven brutal years of pain, fear, bloodshed and death. This article provides an update on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen as of February 2023.

Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi insurgents—Shiite rebels with links to Iran and a history of rising against the Sunni government—took control of Yemen’s capital and largest city, Sana’a, demanding lower fuel prices and a new government.

Two-thirds of the
Mzemo •

The Repatriation of ISIS Children Detained in Camps in Northeast Syria 2022

For the past four years, thousands of prisoners, primarily women and children, from the Islamic State (ISIS), have been arbitrarily detained in camps in northeast Syria. Approximatley, 42,200 people are currently detained in the camps despite the recently increased repatriation of women and children. Recent Turkish air and artillery strikes have exacerbated the dangerous circumstances in the camps. These Turkish strikes cut off electricity and stopped the water supply. They severely impacted fue
Mzemo •

COP27 Climate Change Summit: Greenwashing Scam Imperilling Human Rights

Morally, politically and economically COP27 climate change summit has been coined as a greenwashing scam imperilling human rights.

The world watched Egypt closely as it hosted the 27th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh from the 8th-16th of November. More than 190 governments attended COP27 to attempt to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Furthermore, Egypt hosting COP27 sparked much controversy due to its abysmal human rights
Mzemo •

Mahsa Amini: Iranian Women Are Leading an Extraordinary Revolution

The Death of Mahsa Amini Ignited an Unprecedented Wave of Protests Across Iran

On the 16th of September 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, died in the custody of Iran’s morality police following her arrest for improper wear of hijab. Both Mahsa and her brother were beaten at the time of her arrest.

Iran’s morality police routinely arbitrarily detain women who do not comply with their discriminatory and compulsory veiling laws. The death of Mahsa Amini was the powder keg mo
Mzemo •

Living in Chains: The Shackling of People with Psychosocial Disabilities Worldwide

The Inhumane Practice of “Shackling” People With Disabilities

Numerous human rights reports have covered the shackling of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children with mental health conditions worldwide.

The practice known as ‘shackling’ is commonplace in 60 countries worldwide and sees adults and children as young as ten years old restrained or locked up for days, weeks and even years at a time.

Worldwide, people have inadequate support and access to mental health services. People w
Mzemo •

The Western Hypocrisy of Russia v Israel Reveals An Outrageous Moral and Legal Duplicity

The Annexation of Land by Force Under International Law – Western Hypocrisy

Western hypocrisy is ever-present as we see differing responses to the annexation of land by Russia in Ukraine in comparison to Israel’s continued annexation of Palestinian land since 1947. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on September 30th 2022 that Russia would annexe four regions in Ukraine. These regions are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, now referred to as “new regions” of Russia.

The UN Se
Mzemo •

Pakistan's Climate Crisis: A Peek Into The Apocalyptic Future That Awaits

One-third of Pakistan Submerged By “Monsoon On Steroids”

The world has faced much climate crisis devastation over the decades. However, in August 2022, the climate carnage in Pakistan brought this crisis into a whole new ball game. The image above is from the New Humanitarian, showing people attempting to flee the floods. The climate-induced flooding has affected over 50 million people. This disaster has left one-third of Pakistan underwater, with some parts resembling “a small ocean”.

The Pak
Mzemo •

Myanmar’s Genocide on the Rohingya Muslims: An Inspiring Interview with a Heroic Refugee

Authors Note – This week’s article is a special edition as I have collaborated with a Rohingya refugee living in Cox’s Bazaar camp in Bangladesh after fleeing the Myanmar genocide. His name is Jamal Hossain. I have also collaborated with Rohingyatographer Magazine, a unique project created by a team of talented photographers based in Cox’s Bazaar. They have kindly allowed me to share some of their thought-provoking photography. A special thank you to both collaborations.

The above image is by ©
Mzemo •

The 2022 Qatar World Cup of Human Rights Abuses

As football fans prepare to watch the 2022 Qatar World Cup from November 20th to December 18th, there has been much contention regarding the nation’s corruption allegations, climate policy concerns, and human rights abuses. Migrant workers in Qatar have faced many horrific abuses, including thousands of unexplainable deaths, forced labour, injuries, and wage theft.

In its efforts to build eight state-of-the-art football stadiums, a cruel and chilling reality is revealed behind the most popular
Mzemo •

Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians Reveals West's Double Standards

A ceasefire on Sunday, 7th August 2022, ended another unjustified three-day Israeli bombardment in the besieged apartheid Gaza strip. Devastating figures reveal the civilian cost of the escalation and the impact of crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced operation “Breaking Dawn” on Friday, 5th August 2022. Israel fired shots at targets it claimed were linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), killing a senior commander in th
Mzemo •

World Leaders Remain Silent Over Human Rights Violations in the UAE

A Glimpse Into The Human Rights Violations in the UAE

World leaders remain silent over human rights violations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A Human Rights Watch world report released in 2022 highlights how the UAE continues to invest in a “soft power” strategy by falsely concealing its nation as progressive, tolerant, and rights-respecting. However, a reality check reveals UAE’s horrendous human rights track record.
• The UAE violates freedom of expression and privacy rights through the u
Mzemo •

Accelerating Deforestation in the Amazon Severely Threatens Climate Change Crisis

Tipping Point of No Return As Fires Surge

Accelerating deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has reached record levels in the first six months of 2022, threatening the ongoing climate change crisis. Deforestation has increased by 20% since 2021. Scientists have warned that the rainforest is reaching a “tipping point”, contributing to a climate apocalypse as we wait in existential oblivion.

With nearly one-fifth of the forest destroyed already, scientists believe that the tipping point will be
Mzemo •

US Supreme Court Overruled Constitutional Guarantee of Abortion Access in Roe v Wade

In a landmark ruling on June 24th 2022, the US Supreme Court overruled the constitutional guarantee of abortion access in the US in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health by overturning Roe v Wade.

Six out of nine Supreme Court justices voted to uphold Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This case revolved around legislation passed by Mississippi in March 2018, banning the termination of pregnancy after 15 weeks. This ban came with no exceptions for instances of rape or incest. Dobbs argued th
Mzemo •

Saudi Arabia Ignites Golf War Showcasing Who Prefers Money Over Human Rights

Saudi Arabia ignites a golf war through their soft power strategy to enhance its international status. Thus, Saudi Arabia is hosting the LIV Golf Invitational Series. This event started in London on June 9th 2022. This golf event meticulously established the tactful method of “sportswashing” to protect the Saudi’s tarnished reputation. Critics have been comparing the LIV Tournament to Nazi Germany hosting the Olympics in 1936. This golf industry showdown begs many moral and legal questions.

Spe
Mzemo •

Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia Reflects Deep-Rooted Gender Inequality

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Somalia reflects a deep-rooted gender inequality. Somalia has a 99% prevalence rate among women aged 15-49 years. Most girls are subject to FGM between five and nine years old. Thus, Somalia has the highest rate of FGM in the world. These were the latest statistics from the Somali Health and Demographic Survey 2022.

There is an international consensus that FGM is a violation of human rights. The prevalence of FGM in Somalia represents one of the most extreme f
Mzemo •

Depp v Heard: Underlying the Nuances of Domestic Violence

The recent verdict in the defamation trial, Depp v Heard, highlighted the nuances of domestic violence and was, from gavel to gavel, a singularly baffling, unedifying and depressive spectacle.

Johnny Depp prevailed in his three counts of defamation against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, on June 1st 2022. Depp sued Heard for $50 million for implying he abused her in the 2018 . The world was anticipating the final verdict in Depp v Heard, which underlined the nuances of domestic violence and abusive r
Mzemo •

Texas School Shooting: 19 Children & 2 Adults Dead Demanding Gun Law Reform

What Events Took Place at the Texas School Shooting?

Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old gunman, killed 19 children and two adults in the deadliest school shooting in almost a decade. The school shooting has called for gun law reform in the US. The massacre occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24th 2022. The gunman reportedly shot his grandmother, who survived, before driving to the school to carry out the attack. The gun massacre in East Buffalo occurred just three days prior
Mzemo •

Human Rights on the Brink of Tragedy Due to a Severe Drought in the Horn of Africa

Famine is knocking at Somalia’s door, with nearly 8 million people facing extreme hunger daily. The threat is even more concerning with the UN’s head of humanitarian affairs warning that by the end of 2022, Somalia’s central and southern areas will probably be under famine.

But, how did Somalia reach here? Exactly how bad is the condition? And, is there a way out?

What Factors are Responsible for the Impending Famine in Somalia?

East Africa is going through the worst drought in decades, killi
Mzemo •

Afghanistan: Taliban Orders Head-to-Toe Coverings for Women in Public Further Defying Human Rights

Millions of Muslim women proudly wear Hijaab as a symbol of their religion. What makes them different from those protesting against obligatory hijab in Iran is the women’s right to choose.

But when you widen your horizon, you’ll realize that the dilemma of women’s right to choose is apparent across borders. Be it Iran, India, France, or the US, women are constantly fighting for control of their bodies.

The History of Pro- & Anti-Hijab Protests in Iran

Looking at Iran today, it can be hard to
Mzemo •

Roe v Wade: US Supreme Court Ruling Could Imperil Women’s Abortion Rights Around the World

Famine is knocking at Somalia’s door, with nearly 8 million people facing extreme hunger daily. The threat is even more concerning with the UN’s head of humanitarian affairs warning that by the end of 2022, Somalia’s central and southern areas will probably be under famine.

But, how did Somalia reach here? Exactly how bad is the condition? And, is there a way out?

What Factors are Responsible for the Impending Famine in Somalia?

East Africa is going through the worst drought in decades, killi
Mzemo •

A Modern Uyghur 'Genocide' in Xinjiang China %

What is Happening in Xinjiang, China?

China’s authoritarian regime operates under the Chinese Communist Party (CPP), which systematically represses human rights. The CPP regularly arbitrarily detain human rights defenders, civil society is under tight control, and China deploys invasive surveillance technology. These abuses undermine the right to privacy and freedom of expression for those forced to live under this regime.

A Human Rights Watch report released in 2014, depicts a strict and brut
Load More