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19 June 2019
Handcrafting behind bars: Women inmates in Albania create ‘made in prison’ accessories
"I feel like a normal person again. I have been sentenced 3 years in prison and everything was hard, but now you are helping me to see a hopeful life."
Hong Kong press watchdog calls for investigation into police abuse against 26 journalists during protests
"Journalist watchdog recorded 10 cases of police officers firing tear gas bombs at close range towards reporters, 3 of whom were hit on the head."
18 June 2019
Mozambicans celebrate after the state's infamous ‘hidden debts’ are declared null
On 4 June, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council, declared null the guarantees from the Mozambican state for debts acquired by public companies following a petition by civil society organizations.
17 June 2019
On displacement
"Displacement has no particular citizenship. It comes on a slow, malarial boat, or dropped from the sky on small islands buffeted by storms in the Caribbean, our common sea."
Surprise victories in the 2019 midterm Philippine elections offer hope to the opposition
Despite being fiercely attacked by state-supported elements during the election season, the opposition succeeded in disrupting local political dynasties in some key cities.
Demolition of a 150-year-old building highlights government neglect of Bangladesh's heritage sites
"The building had such remarkable designs which were rare to find in other buildings in the old parts of Dhaka. So [it] needed to be saved."
16 June 2019
Social media goes blue for Sudan
"My people can not die in vain, cannot die in silence." Social media users turn their profiles blue in solidarity with Sudanese protesters calling for civilian rule in Sudan.
Australia’s digital rights advocates and tech sector push back against law undermining encryption
"The new legislation directly targets encryption and basically coerces developers, device manufacturers and service providers to allow the government to spy on people’s encrypted data."
15 June 2019
#JBF2019: Japan's Lego Brick Festival 2019 takes to Twitter
More than 270 Lego fans displayed their creations, and the thousands of people who attended Brickfest over the weekend shared photos on Twitter using the hashtag #JBF2019.
Visas now required for Venezuelans as Trinidad and Tobago concludes migrant registration process
A group of protestors outside a registration centre in the nation's capital called for the "closure of the borders" of the twin-island nation.
14 June 2019
Indonesia’s post-election riots led to free speech violations
"While we understand the government’s intention to stop the distribution of false information and protect the public, the decision has also inadvertently restricted public’s access to factual information."
Netizen Report: Amid demonstrations for democracy, Sudanese civilians face military violence — and internet shutdowns
From Kazakhstan to Khartoum to Hong Kong, protests brought internet shutdowns and online attacks this week.
Bhutan takes first steps toward decriminalizing homosexuality
The bill will be discussed in the National Council, the upper house of the parliament, during the upcoming winter session starting in November. Bhutanese activists eagerly await the results.
In Hong Kong, authorities arrest the administrator of a Telegram protest group—and force him to hand over a list of its members
A list of members of the group-- which numbers between 20,000 and 30,000 people--, as well as all the messages exchanged in the secure chat, have been exposed to the...
Why are Hong Kong authorities labelling the anti-extradition demonstrations as “riots”?
As the majority of protesters were peaceful and had not engaged with violent acts, a large number of civic groups slammed the “riot” label as ludicrous.
13 June 2019
DRC Ebola outbreak spreads to neighboring Uganda, activating rapid preparedness response
Uganda has prepared for this moment: Three confirmed cases activate a strong Ebola response system of detection and prevention. Is this a "public health emergency of international concern"?
Paraguay's road to democracy is slowed down by its political ghosts
"Although Paraguay transitioned to a democracy in the years after the dictatorship ended, subsequent elections saw circles close to Stroessner stay in power"
#KuToo: Japan petition against high heels in the workplace gains worldwide support
In Japan, employers are legally entitled to demand female employees wear uncomfortable high heels or pumps.
The Ivan Golunov phenomenon: a brief moment of solidarity and euphoria in Putin’s Russia
Many are calling for more action to punish law enforcement forces that fabricated the case.
12 June 2019
Sudan’s democratic spring is turning into a long and ugly summer
"The worse outcome is the prospect of systemic military violence like Darfur, without intervention by the international community. The same folks are in charge, and we are already looking away."
