Stories about Governance from December, 2019
Trinidad and Tobago continues to face HIV stigma and lack of sex education
Drugs that can prevent HIV are available, but Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Health won't make it available because he thinks it will promote promiscuity.
Longest internet disruption in Myanmar’s Rakhine state sets dangerous precedent
"There has been no evidence that the disproportionate decision has had any positive effect on reducing the conflict, which remains pervasive."
Death toll reaches 27 in India's citizenship protests
Mass demonstrations have engulfed both large and small cities nationwide.
Conference in Thailand debates state of human rights in the northeast provinces
"We need to shame the government for using violence and intimidation against villagers who are just trying to preserve their livelihoods."
How China's Belt and Road Initiative is affecting Shan communities in north Myanmar
"The majority of the people are worried about losing their homes, farmlands and water resources. Some people voiced concerns about losing natural resources and heritage places."
Rash of abductions and arrests signals ‘dramatic slide’ in human rights in Tanzania
In recent years, an uptick in abductions, arrests, detentions and trumped-up charges of economic crimes for activists and journalists have amounted to a disturbing trend toward silencing dissent in Tanzania.
Kenya now has a data protection law. What does this mean for netizens?
Will Kenya’s new data protection law protect the rights of citizens? Or will it serve as a conduit to acquire, store and use data in the digital capitalism food chain?
Protests, internet shutdowns and biryani: 2019 in South Asia
Overall, our coverage in the past 12 months highlighted stories of protests and internet shutdowns from across the region.
Sudan’s ride-sharing revolution needs better regulation
Sudan’s ride-sharing industry faces serious challenges: Labor rights, algorithm bias and data privacy need to be addressed for ride-sharing to be sustainable.
Abduction of human rights activist echos chilling trend in Tanzania
Human rights activist Tito Magoti's abduction echoes a chilling trend toward the disappearances of journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders in Tanzania since 2015 when Magufuli first took office.
2019: A year of flipping scripts and changing narratives in Africa
2019, a year of changing narratives in Africa: Revolutions. Internet shutdowns. Tree-planting. Migration. Feminist songs. Media crackdowns. Cyclones and climate change. Opposition rising. Cultural icons dying. Illness, cures, and healing.
New network of journalists vows to promote press freedom and independent media in Cambodia
"Our free press is insufficiently protected and is under constant threat."
As Global Voices celebrates its quinceañera, 15 ‘coming-of-age’ posts from the Caribbean
Happy 15th birthday, GV! The Caribbean team picks 15 of its best posts from 2019, starting with violent street protests, a refugee crisis, and an inspiring story of justice. Part 1 of 5.
Indian police accused of brutality after violently dispersing student-led anti-CAA protest in Delhi
Protests and marches are set to continue across India condemning the police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University as-well-as demanding the scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Internet blocked as protests intensify in northeast India against the Citizenship Amendment Act
"India leads the world in internet blackouts. We all know what fascist governments do in the dark. Don’t be a bystander; speak now & speak loudly."
Gambian minister brought Myanmar to The Hague ‘in the name of humanity’
"...No one put pressure on President Jammeh to stop his atrocities. ... We don't want others to feel our pain or our fate," said The Gambia's Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
A new Pacific nation? Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea
"I lost 2 brothers during the crisis, and like countless others, reflect on the legacy of the conflict everyday. May we have a lasting peace."
The extrajudicial killing of four accused rapists in India leads to debate about justice system
Many are applauding the police in Hyderabad for acting as judge, jury, and executioner.
Ethiopia: Stop hate speech, not free speech
Ethiopia's new hate speech bill aims to "tackle the erosion of the nation’s social cohesion, political stability and national unity." But digital rights advocates say it threatens democracy.
Taxing dissent: Uganda’s social media dilemma
Uganda’s social media tax essentially amounted to an internet shutdown, driving thousands offline and silencing dissent for others.
Protests against a media house in Pakistan mount
Pakistan's leading English-language daily Dawn Newspaper has increasingly been under threat with politically motivated attacks.
