Stories about Governance from January, 2018
After Two Decades, Will Ghana Finally Pass a Right to Information Law?
"We the people...put our faith in the system expecting them to work efficiently, fairly and impartially. But that hasn’t been the case...we continue to find ourselves in the cesspool."
Myanmar Digital Activists Come Together to Protect People's Rights Online at #DigitalRightsMM
Myanmar's mobile penetration rate has soared from 2.5 percent to more than 90 percent, bringing a wave of developments and difficulties in the digital rights realm.
Iran Suspends Thousands of Drug-Related Death Sentences After Years of Human Rights Advocacy
"Ninety percent of the prisoners on death row for drug crimes were just unfortunate mules carrying drugs to pay for their daughter’s dowry or an operation for their mother."
Would Amnesty for Drug Kingpins Achieve Peace in Mexico? Depends Who You Ask
A presidential candidate proposes amnesty as a solution to Mexico's internal conflict. Such a proposition is not novel in the region -- nor is the controversy it sparks.
Ugandans Grow Anxious Over Incidents of Deadly Viral Fever
The death of nine-year-old Bridget Nalunkuuma in the central Ugandan town of Nakaseke has rattled residents who fear the girl may have suffered from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever. Eight other people have reportedly died in recent months after experiencing similar symptoms. Present in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East and Asia,...
Protests Underscore the Potential Power of Iran's Access to Information Law
This is an opportune time to fully enforce efforts towards transparency after Iran's December-January protests. The first step must be a full implementation of Iran’s Access to Information law.
Jurassic Post: Afghan Minister's Gaffe Raises Meritocracy Concerns
“I regret that the National Unity Government talks about good governance while appointing a minister who lacks primary literacy.”
In Indonesian Papua, Dozens of Children Have Died From Measles and Chickenpox While Awaiting Medical Care
"Does anyone want to go there and get real data about their condition? And why do we only now say this is a problem?"
A Mother's Battle Against Agrochemicals, Church and State in Paraguay
Petrona Villasboa's battle against Monsanto after one of her sons was poisoned to death sets a historical precedent.
Is Taiwan a Country? What About Tibet? China Says They Aren't—and Wants Foreign Companies to Fall in Line
Multinational corporations have faced pressure to apologize for listing Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Tibet as countries on their websites, even if in reality it's a common practice.
Philippine Authorities Order Shutdown of Rappler News Site, Bringing a Blow to Press Freedom
"If this revocation stands, Rappler will effectively be shut down —the first time a news organization will be closed by government since the dictator Marcos declared martial law in 1972."
How Will Macau's New Cybersecurity Legislation Impact Freedom of Speech?
The Macau Civil Servants Association (MCSA) called the proposal to monitor online data through binary code “arbitrary, disproportionate and illegal."
Gold Mining Threatens Communities in Macedonia's Agricultural Heartland
"We've given mining concessions on top of water springs to dig out an insignificantly small amount of gold. Someone has decided to poison us with arsenic, sulfuric acid, and cyanide."
Palau Visitors Are Now Required to Sign a Pledge to Respect the Environment
"Children of Palau, I take this pledge, as your guest, to preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home."
Pakistanis Demand #JusticeForZainab, 7-Year-Old Raped and Murdered in Kasur
"12 young girls, have been raped and murdered in the last one year...Failure of Pakistan’s 'Criminal Justice System' lies at the root of this public anger."
Africans ‘School’ US President on Good Governance After ‘Shithole’ Comment Sparks Global Outrage
"Yes, Africa [has] problems. We don't dispute it. But name calling & outright disrespect by the very nation that has stripped off its resources for years is totally crossing it."
India's Biometric ID System Is Leaking Personal Data — And State Agencies Won't Fix the Problem
Instead of improving the Aadhaar system, India's unique ID authority is going after journalists who write about its flaws.
With Age Limit Abolished, Ugandans Fear They Are ‘Stuck’ With President Museveni
"32 yrs of inefficiency and we are now stuck with this incompetent, self serving individual whose government is characteristic of nepotism!"
After Facing Harassment from Authorities, Pakistani Journalist Narrowly Escapes Abduction
Taha Siddiqui is the bureau chief for WION news. He also is an avid social media user and critic of the military.
The Draft Budget That Inflamed Protests in Iran
"You’ve turned as all into beggars. Please tell Mr. Khamenei, tell the president, tell everyone, tell them we are desperate. We don’t need this revolution. We hate the clerics."
In Sri Lanka, Families of the Disappeared Treasure the Everyday Items Left Behind (Part Two)
"It’s the lack of progress on the part of the government which led to series of protests highlighting the plight of families of the disappeared, political prisoners...and land occupation."
