Stories about Governance from April, 2015
In the Face of Destruction, Nepal Refuses to Be Broken
Following a devastating earthquake, hope and solidarity come together in Nepal, where a strong government has been painfully absent.
#NepalQuake: A Tale of Personal and National Tragedy

The scale of the April 25 earthquake in Nepal has meant that remote communities like Narayan Adhikari's home village have been among the hardest hit, but are still awaiting aid.
Southeast Asian Activists Unite in ‘People’s Walk’ Ahead of Regional Leaders’ Summit
More than 1,000 activists and leaders from various civil society organizations across Southeast Asia declared their position on human rights and growing economic inequality.
Mapping Cambodia's Land Concessions
Licadho, a Cambodian human rights group, has released its dataset of land concessions approved by the government in the past years. The group is now urging the government to release...
Japanese Women Push Back Against Leaning In
The Japanese government wants more women in the workforce, but some women, stretched thin between childcare, running a household and caring for aging parents, feel the support system isn't there.
‘We Want Answers': Mexico’s Federal Police Accused of Massacre at Apatzingán
An investigative report debunks the Mexican government's version of a shooting in January. "Friendly fire" among civilians didn't leave 16 people dead. Federal police firing into a downtown plaza did.
What Do Africans Think of the Film ‘Timbuktu’ About Life Under Islamic Militants?
In Africa, opinions are divided on the Mauritanian film "Timbuktu." Some love it, others think external factors are the reason for its success.
Singaporean Teenager Arrested for Making Videos Deemed ‘Offensive’

"Apart from the problems of using handcuffs on minors, is this really a proportional response to a YouTube video?"
Until You Change: ‘Dehomosexualization’ the Ecuadorian Way
Ecuador's government is trying to close or regulate an army of private rehabilitation centers that claim to be able to change individuals' sexual orientations and gender identifications.
The 7th Summit of the Americas in 35 Tweets
Global Voices collects 35 tweets by representatives of the 35 countries that participated in the 7th Summit of the Americas, held in Panama.
Russian Siberia, Five Years Later: Still Neglected, Still Burning

RuNet Echo looks at Russian Internet users' responses to the 2010 and 2015 wildfires, comparing what's stayed the same and what's changed.
In Finland's ‘Open Prisons,’ Inmates Have the Keys
How did Finland move from having the highest incarceration rate in Europe to having one of its lowest? Part of the answer lies in its open prisons.
France Launchs National Campaign to Curb Racist and Anti-Semitic Acts
On April 17, the French government unveiled a national campaign to combat racism and anti-Semitism in France. The objective of the campaign is to fight all prejudices, raise awareness and...
Liberland, the Balkans’ Newest Micronation, Is Looking for Citizens
To apply for citizenship, just send an email with a photo ID and cover letter. But will Liberland, set between Croatia and Serbia, really become Europe's third smallest microstate?
Cuba at the Summit of the Americas: The Struggle for Voice and Representation
The Summit of the Americas shined a spotlight on the political divisions that characterize Cuban civil society inside the country and abroad.
What Is Really Wrong With Policing in Maldives?
Blogger Kureege Fuluheh is a Maldivian ex-police officer, who writes about issues in policing and the police service in Maldives. The blogger analyses how the Maldives Police Service (MPS) is perceived...
The Cherán Indigenous Community's Remarkable Road to Self-Rule in Mexico
This is the first in a series of posts about the Cherán community, which took on organized crime, established self-government and uses citizen media to strengthen and preserve its traditions.
Snow-Capped Mountains and Rushing Rivers, but No Water to Drink in Nepal's Capital
As the 7th World Water Forum kicks off in South Korea this week, Nepal provides an unusual case study of shortage in the midst of abundance.
Malaysia’s New Law Targets Online Sedition

"This latest curtailment of freedom of expression further restricts public discourse and will create a void in Malaysian social media and a deafening silence in news forums."
‘This Is Not Our War': Pakistanis Want Nothing to Do With Saudi Arabia in Yemen
"We are a much informed and politically engaged nation now and we will not let our government fight other's wars."
Are Ugandans as Satisfied With Their Government as This Opinion Poll Shows?
"History tells us that people DO NOT grow to love and cherish dictatorships but rather the opposite."