Stories about English from April, 2023
Thailand election debate: Parties share stand on royal defamation law
Representatives of 10 political parties shared their positions on the controversial law which has been actively enforced to silence criticism supposedly in order to protect the monarchy.
Uzbekistan adopts groundbreaking law to protect women and children from domestic and sexual violence
Domestic violence was neither a criminal nor an administrative offense. Women simply could not report domestic violence.
Pro-Beijing politicians urge Hong Kong to scrap the Gay Games 2023
Anticipating political pressures from the conservatives, Gay Games Hong Kong has adopted a depoliticised strategy by stressing the economic benefit of hosting the international event in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Labour Day protest called off after organizer's brief disappearance
Last week, the rally organizers were interrogated about where they got their funding for the proposed demonstration and how they would guard against violent groups “hijacking” the march.
What is red-tagging and why it is dangerous in the Philippines?
With the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2020, red-tagged individuals and groups face the risks of being subjected to surveillance, freezing of assets, and restriction of movement, among others.
Pakistan's war on journalism: Abduction and arrest of prominent journalists
Journalists in Pakistan continue to face harassment, arrest, and abduction for their reporting on sensitive issues. In recent years, several prominent journalists and media workers have been targeted and killed.
‘Jamaica Farewell': Harry Belafonte passes away and the Caribbean tries to find adequate words of tribute
"There are not enough words to say how GREAT this man is and the giant contribution he has made during his life in music, film, human rights, Black rights."
Why are oil workers protesting in Kazakhstan?
The workers are depicted as privileged, earning exponentially more than average citizens. The reasons for their dissatisfaction, however, are structural.
At home, in a presidential palace, and a mosque: Where Central Asian presidents hosted iftar in 2023
Where they are held, who attends them, and what words are spoken at these events can help better understand Central Asia and its people.
Underscoring the challenges of promoting digital rights in Southeast Asia
"…information disorders have been weaponized for political gain, while oppressive governments have tried to control the internet, particularly through social media, and crackdown on dissidents using digital surveillance as tactic."
Six films on Asia-Pacific communities addressing the climate crisis
These films feature stories of communities fighting against the adverse impact of climate change and inspiring hope in addressing the climate crisis through their efforts and solidarity.
The reasons behind the myth of Cantonese as a more authentic Chinese language
Claims that local languages, including Sichuanese and Cantonese, only lost one vote to Mandarin to become China’s “national language” have kept popping up on the internet from time to time.
As Earth Day approaches, the Caribbean continues its struggle with a tidal wave of plastic, but remains hopeful
Despite the gloomy picture, it is fair to say that the Caribbean is fighting back against plastic, and is finding that in this effort, partnerships are effective.
‘The internet is full of good intentions’: an interview with Ethan Zuckerman, part two
"You have to look at the examples of people who are trying to create interesting, new ways of building social media. [...]grounded in real, existing communities in the world."
‘Harnessing the internet to create unprecedented global connection’: an interview with Ethan Zuckerman
In 2004, Global Voices founders asked themselves how they could use the internet to build bridges between the Global North and the Global South.
May 14 elections are an existential battle for many of Turkey's female voters
AKP's patriarchal politics have redesigned the family and education policies along religious lines, eroded legal and institutional advances, ending the once moderate attitude on gender equality.
Musicians receive draconian prison sentences for setting fire to military draft office in Russia
While some other musicians from the "older generation" of Urals rock club are either supporting or keeping silent about the war, the younger musicians from the Urals are protesting
Burnt flags, border clashes, and prisoners: Tensions continue to escalate in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan soared when a man stormed the stage at the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championship in Yerevan and set fire to the Azerbaijani flag.
Why tech companies can no longer ignore their role in shaping politics and society
As the influence of tech companies continues to grow, it falls to civil society, journalists, tech users, and watchdog organisations to keep these firms accountable.
State violence and the standardization of the Chinese language
After implementing compulsory education in 1986, Putonghua was promulgated as the primary language in schools, and recently it has replaced indigenous languages in autonomous regions, including Xinjiang, inner Mongolia and Tibet.
The wholesome power of rice and lentils in Nepal
Eaten at least twice daily, the steamed rice and a soup of lentils and cooked seasonal vegetables is not just a Nepali staple but something deeper and essential.