Stories about Governance from July, 2021
Who’s trying to silence the fearless voice of Sri Lankan journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana?
One of Sri Lanka’s most promising young journalists is facing intimidation following his reporting on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Weak public consultation approach draws questions about plans to ‘revitalise’ beloved Trinidad park
Plans allegedly include replacing the existent grass with AstroTurf in order to utilise the park's potential as “a public wellness and sports hub in the heart of our capital city.”
The Georgian Dream Party withdraws from EU-brokered deal with opposition
The governing Georgian Dream Party has pulled out of an EU-brokered agreement between the government and the opposition.
Iranian state comes down hard on protests over ‘Thirsty Khuzestan’
Three years ago, protests broke out in Iran's richest province of Khuzestan against water shortages. Like today's, these were also met with force, as protesters blame government corruption and mismanagement.
Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange accusations in renewed clashes
It was the deadliest clash since Russia brokered ceasefire ended the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020.
The Georgian Dream Party’s anti-media crusade continues
Following the homophobic, anti-journalist riots on July 5, the Georgian government officials accused of inciting the violence have gone on the offensive against journalists.
Fifth woman murdered in Azerbaijan in 10 days
A woman strangled to death in Azerbaijan is the fifth victim killed over a personal conflict with the attacker in the last 10 days.
Pakistani woman cricketer Nida Dar faces sexism from a former cricketer
Excerpts of a recent interview with Abdul Razzag and Nida Dar show him pointing out that the top woman cricketer is "manly".
Government announces new media regulations that could further constrain freedom of expression in Turkey
A number of government statements issued this week in Turkey signal a further decline on media freedom.
The French government’s U-turn on regional languages
A new law passed in May 2021 has reignited the debate around France's regional languages
Global investigation reveals Pegasus Project identified in Azerbaijan and elsewhere
Around 1,000 phone numbers belonging to users in Azerbaijan were identified, among them, prominent journalists, editors, rights defenders, lawyers, political activists, as well as their friends and family members.
Pegasus spyware revelation indicates Indian state snooping on journalists, activists and politicians
The Pegasus Project released a report detailing the potential hacking and surveillance of more than 1,000 activists, journalists and politicians from India using the Israeli-made spyware, Pegasus.
The “ticket to happy life” politics of Indian marriages in the context of dowry-related violence
The recent death of 24-year-old medical student Vismaya Nair in the Indian state of Kerala has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions over dowries and domestic violence in India.
Released journalists share prison experiences in Myanmar
"Without letting me sleep, they interrogated me for three days. I requested water, which they allowed me only on the third day. I had food only on the fourth day."
July arrests mark turn for the worse in Vietnam
Among those arrested were two relatively unknown individuals with hardly any history of pro-democracy activism.
What is the Kurultai: Kyrgyzstan's political body based on an ancient nomadic tradition
In an effort to strengthen control over the political process, the Kyrgyz leadership brought back the Kurultai, an institution centered around traditional values.
Turkey's spectacular city statues — a thing of beauty or an architectural failure?
Across the country one may find statues of garlic, a rooster, meatballs, local desserts, walnuts, pottery, and much more, symbolizing whatever that province is famous for.
Georgia mourns the death of a journalist
Known among his TV Pirveli colleagues as Lekso, journalist and cameraman Aleksandre Lashkarava, 37, was found dead in his apartment on July 11 in Tbilisi.
EU flag torn down from Georgian Parliament in second day of far-right street violence
Several thousand people including queer rights activists and supporters as well as opposition leaders gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi to protest violence against LGBTQI+ Pride organizers.
Malaysian artists and activists face probe over a short film depicting police brutality
"These ongoing harassments against activists, journalists, and artists attempt to silence our voice and deflect the public pressure on the prevalent cases of custodial death in the past few months."
Developers say the reef at St. Vincent's Indian Bay is dead. These photos say otherwise
"I have witnessed coral regrowing in key spots throughout the bay. Imagine what's possible if we put some real, intentional effort into it; an artificial reef is not the solution."
