Stories about Governance from October, 2017
Kyrgyz Media Outlet's Report Shows President-Elect's Campaign Gained Access to Private Data
"What we have shown is that government servers that process and handle the data of citizens of Kyrgyzstan … was hosting an election campaign website that was collating similar data."
Indonesian Law Makes It Easier to Disband Extremist Groups, but Could Undermine Civil Liberties
"There are many ways for the government to combat radicalism and defend social cohesion. Removing meaningful legal protections of freedom of association is not the way to do that."
The Families of Trafficked Boys From India's Arwal Say Police Don't Care
"There were eight of us...They would beat us if we didn’t chop wood and not give us food...They killed four boys. And threw them in the river nearby."
Tonga Government Accused of Controlling State Media Ahead of Elections
"Government needs to stop using so-called losses as an excuse to apply punitive changes aimed at gagging newsroom and management in a leading public broadcaster of the region."
Thai Historian Could Face 15 Years in Prison for ‘Insulting’ a 16th-Century King
"The military regime just wants to persecute me. They can do anything. So I achieve equanimity. I’m detached. In fact I pity them. I pity those who have power."
Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker Resigns Over ‘Disrespect’ to Oromo People. Is the Balance of Power Shifting?
"...his resignation is like throwing a gasoline to the fire that is already out of control. It is a historical step that signals and symbolizes end of OPDO's submission..."
Tightened Security in Beijing Means Windows Ordered Shut and Bans on Knife Sales
The security measures are in place ahead of the 19th National Chinese Communist Party Congress, where the country's leadership is chosen.
Was the Anti-Kleptocracy Rally That Gathered Thousands in Malaysia a Success or Failure?
"...the speakers were too heavy on condemnations of corruption, kleptocracy...instead of saying more about how a Pakatan government, if elected, will deal with issues..."
The Viral Video that Sent Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Relations into a Tailspin
Seasoned autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev is finally participating in a competitive presidential election. (Just not in his own country).
Malaysia Bans Books and Cartoons Deemed ‘Prejudicial to Public Order’
"By banning books that provoke the mind to think critically, this government of ours showed its true color of being an authority of bigotry and anti-intellectualism."
Is Free Speech an ‘Empty Promise’ in Singapore? Activists Bristle After Police Detain Performance Artist
Under Singapore’s strict Public Order Act, a single person can be held liable for participating in an illegal assembly.
Tens of Thousands in the Philippines Rally Against President Duterte's Deadly ‘Triple Wars’
Despite efforts of the Philippine government to sabotage the event, organizers estimated around 30,000 people braved the rains to join the rally against human rights abuses.
As China Restricts Home Sales, Netizens Ask If This Serves the People's Needs
China has imposed a ban on property sales in 50 cities to curb the overheating market. But many netizens think it harms the welfare of home buyers.
