Stories about Freedom of Speech from February, 2021
Alexey Navalny's views on migrants run counter to his pro-democracy discourse
Alexey Navalny has emerged as a rallying figure for liberal Russians and a symbol of Russian opposition, but his image among Central Asians – including Russia's migrant workers – is more contentious.
China blocks Clubhouse after netizens discuss Xinjiang and Tiananmen
For a brief moment in time, Clubhouse cracked the Great Firewall.
Indian farmers’ protests: Twitter withholds, then restores, prominent accounts by government order
Twitter restored the accounts after concluding they were "speech and newsworthy," a decision the Indian government decried: "Twitter cannot assume the role of a court and justify non-compliance."
Protests rock Istanbul's most prestigious university over appointment of new rector
In 2016, President Erdoğan secured the right to appoint universities' rectors who previously were elected by the academic body.
Nearly a hundred Kurdish activists detained by Iran's security forces in 2021
An interview with Switzerland-based KMMG’s director reveals how recent arbitrary detentions of Kurds and other minorities coincides with the regime’s bid to fortify its rule amidst piling internal challenges.
Citizens launch civil disobedience campaign on second day of Myanmar coup
"Than Pone means iron bucket. Than Pone Tee means Playing Iron Buckets. In our tradition, playing Iron Buckets means casting out evil spirits."
What Kyrgyzstan’s hasty transition to presidential governance says about the state of its democracy
Since its government fell last October, Kyrgyzstan has experienced a political whirlwind, with January elections consolidating the interim leader's position and a referendum that changed its system of governance.
What happened in Myanmar on the first day of the coup
"People are disheartened by the news and mostly sharing information about each other’s whereabouts and safety measures. We have all seen this coming but it’s surreal when it actually happens."
Hong Kong to launch real-name registration of mobile SIM cards
If the bill passes, mobile companies would have to set up a database with their subscribers' data, which they'd have to store for at least 12 months after the SIM expires.