In this special edition of Middle East Matters, we focus on the Kurds. Spread across four nations, they are the world's largest stateless ethnic group. Indigenous to the Middle East and numbering at least 35 million, the Kurds have sought to establish a homeland of their own since the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920s.

In Tanzania, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, located in northern city of Arusha, is the main instrument to rule on the rights and duties of Africa’s people. But the court’s record of implementing rulings is patchy.

Domestic violence is on the rise, but under-reported in Cameroon. Campaigners say official figures account for only a fraction of the women who have suffered - or even died - at the hands of their partners. And for those seeking justice, advocates say successful prosecutions are rare due to the failings and corruption within Cameroon's judicial system.

European Union interior ministers discussed border security and asylum at a meeting in Lithuania. The EU home affairs commissioner urged preemptive action outside the bloc and condemned the policy of pushbacks.

Local media have reported the Taliban fired tear gas and used batons to break up the second day of protests demanding that women's rights be protected.

Those targeted include an armed group that killed a Kurdish politician and eight individuals tied to the Syrian government and President Bashar Assad.

Israel said it would not cooperate with a UN probe into possible war crimes committed during the conflict.

The rule of law in the People's Republic of China is eroding, as it is in Hong Kong, where it has practically been suspended. DW reporters have followed these developments — now, they are being honored with press awards.

Japanese women dance during an event inspired by the global One Billion Rising campaign, a mass action to end violence against women, with #KuToo anti-high heels campaigner Yumi Ishikawa joining the team. The performance took place days after former Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori stepped down following his sexist remarks.

US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, discussed issues including trade and human rights. Xi warned against a potential confrontation between the US and China.

In Croatia, lawmakers and activists have been debating abortion legislation for three decades. The church, conservative politicians and pro-life activists now want to see rules tightened as they have been in Poland.

As the world observes International Women's Day, a group of Senegalese law experts are helping to empower women by teaching them their rights in "law shops".