Stories about Governance from November, 2019
Exclusion in access to public information for marginalized groups in India
Subhashish Panigrahi highlights the challenges and opportunities relating to access to public information for marginalized groups in India.
Sexual harassment case in Trinidad & Tobago highlights need for better policies
A recent case has highlight Trinidad and Tobago's lack of laws protecting citizens from workplace sexual harassment, especially members of the LGBTQ community, who can be quite vulnerable.
Inside Kashmir's internet blockade: Video report with Kashmiri students affected by the crisis
48,000 High school students in Kashmir appear for public examination amidst complete internet blockage in the region.
Melanesian journalists decry growing threats against media freedom
"Melanesian governments cannot pay lip service to international conventions and commitments to democratic freedoms and in the same breath issue orders to clamp down on journalists' right to expression."
The Gambia confronts the nightmare of witch hunts under former regime
In The Gambia, alleged witches were held for up to five days in secret locations and made to drink ‘Kubehjaro’, a hallucinogenic substance, and then forced to confess to witchcraft.
Tanzanian rapper scolded for lyrics about nation's cashew crisis
Roma Mkatoliki's hit song criticizes the government's 2018 decision to deploy the military to purchase cashew nuts from farmers in an attempt to force an increase in market price.
An interview with ‘Siamese Intellectual’ Sulak Sivaraksa on the future of Thailand's democracy and monarchy
"The monarchy must introduce some transparency into its workings if it wants to remain. It must be open to criticism."
Will the upcoming Taiwanese presidential election bring an end to the death penalty?
Taiwan has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that calls for the abolition of capital punishment, yet it has applied death penalty in 34 cases since.
Insights into Kashmir's crisis from a Kashmiri born in Nepal
Aquib, a graduate from Kashmir University, lives in Nepal for business. Global Voices Nepali Lingua talked with Aquib to learn why India repealed Article 370 which gave special rights to Kashmiris.
Soaring onion prices create panic in Bangladesh
The onion crisis is escalating in Bangladesh with delays from traditional import partners and prices increasing six-fold. The government is air-lifting onions to meet the demand.
Turbulence in Moldova after ‘anti-oligarchic’ government falls
Moldova's ruling alliance was temporary and uneasy, widely considered to be unnatural but necessary. The biggest question was not whether but for how long it would last.
Iran protests: Flying bullets and internet shutdown
The current protests are more widespread, more diverse in terms of class, and characterized by a brutal government response that includes a near-total shutdown of the internet.
130 civil society groups call on Myanmar military to drop charges against civilians
"The military are the government’s staff. If they are doing wrong, citizens have a right to point it out. Citizens have a right to speak out,”
A new wave of pedophilia and child abuse strikes Pakistan
Despite the existence of severe punishments for such crimes, the number of child abuse cases are growing rapidly in Pakistan.
Your guide to the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election
On 16 November 2019, Sri Lankans are going to the polls to elect a new president. Learn more about the major players and check out our list of useful resources.
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong responds to Thai Army Chief
Joshua Wong gives updates on the Hong Kong protest and addresses allegations by Gen Apirat Kongsompong, Thai Royal Army Chief.
Stubble burning and polluted rivers choke India's capital
This year, the Indian national capital region is facing a severe pollution crisis as smog grows out of control and toxic foam covers the badly-polluted Yamuna River.
The future of asylum seekers is uncertain in Sri Lanka
"The authorities must take urgent steps to guarantee the safety, dignity and human rights of all refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring that they are safe and have humane living conditions."
Letter to China: My Uyghur friend Zainur has been detained in one of your camps for two years
"They scanned the faces of anyone who entered the masjid. They banned fasting. We buried our books. They told us to remove locks from our doors. 'I don’t know why.'"
Vanuatu journalist says his work permit was revoked for criticizing the government
"People will hem and haw and say all kinds of things, but it boils down to this: I spoke out, and was punished for telling the truth."
Beirut demonstrations honored in a map showing protest as a process of live ‘city-making’
“Maps are important additions to the visual "magma" we're being exposed to because they allow us to summarize, reflect and put things in perspective."