Stories about Governance from April, 2023
Sudan’s war of two generals: Latest updates
Saving foreign nationals is a top priority, while the citizens of Sudan are not the priority for anyone, especially not for Abdel Fattah Burhan, and Mohamed Hamdan Dalago.
Uzbekistan adopts groundbreaking law to protect women and children from domestic and sexual violence
Domestic violence was neither a criminal nor an administrative offense. Women simply could not report domestic violence.
Pakistan's war on journalism: Abduction and arrest of prominent journalists
Journalists in Pakistan continue to face harassment, arrest, and abduction for their reporting on sensitive issues. In recent years, several prominent journalists and media workers have been targeted and killed.
Why are oil workers protesting in Kazakhstan?
The workers are depicted as privileged, earning exponentially more than average citizens. The reasons for their dissatisfaction, however, are structural.
Reflections from the Iranian diaspora: Rage against the ‘Iran Lobby’ Part 2
Evidence has been uncovered that links the NIAC and its founder, Trista Parsi, with lobbying efforts for the Iranian regime, including internal emails, court rulings, and accusations from Iranian dissidents.
At home, in a presidential palace, and a mosque: Where Central Asian presidents hosted iftar in 2023
Where they are held, who attends them, and what words are spoken at these events can help better understand Central Asia and its people.
Underscoring the challenges of promoting digital rights in Southeast Asia
"…information disorders have been weaponized for political gain, while oppressive governments have tried to control the internet, particularly through social media, and crackdown on dissidents using digital surveillance as tactic."
Tunisia’s dependence on its Algerian brother: the reign of the counter-revolution axis
Both Algeria and Tunisia have experienced political transitions recently, but Tunisia's vulnerability stems from heavy reliance on Algeria's support amid power centralization and dissent suppression in both countries.
May 14 elections are an existential battle for many of Turkey's female voters
AKP's patriarchal politics have redesigned the family and education policies along religious lines, eroded legal and institutional advances, ending the once moderate attitude on gender equality.
Brazil's ex-vice president admitted the need to fight illegal mining in Yanomami territory, but failed to act
A humanitarian crisis at Brazil's largest Indigenous land, the Yanomami land, made headlines this year. Agencia Publica exposes how the former VP dealt with the issue in closed doors meetings of the Legal Amazon National Council.
Sri Lanka's proposed anti-terrorism law aims to curb civil protests
There is growing dissent within Sri Lanka against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which is intended to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the accompanying bill.
Azerbaijan-Iran tensions escalate
The tensions have been simmering since January 2023, after a gunman stormed the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, killing the security chief and wounding two guards in the embassy.
Russian decolonisation and Eurasia: An imperial legacy? Risks and opportunities for Tatarstan
Public attention to political and economic inequality in Russia’s regions, stirred by the debate on decolonisation, represents a welcome and much-needed development
New study finds internet censorship in Turkmenistan reaches over 122,000 domains
"One of the worst blocking rules in Turkmenistan is that the government blocks every website that ends with w.org, which is Wordpress, used by activists and bloggers."
The designer of the ‘Thanks to Erdoğan’ sticker campaign lands in the president's crosshairs
The stickers read: "This product is expensive because of us. Remember this when you vote," accompanied by pictures of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political ally Devlet Bahçeli.
In Azerbaijan, residents pay a heavy price to have access to water
Since March 13, residents of at least three villages in Saatli, have taken their demands for stable water access onto the streets.
In Turkey, a popular TV Show gets slapped with fines and a broadcast ban
Ever since the show's premiere in October 2022, its been criticized by both fronts of Turkish society — the secularists and the conservatives.
‘A great day to be a journalist in Fiji’ as Parliament repeals ‘draconian’ media law
"Some of Fiji's best journalists left the industry as a result and the media still carry the mental scars today from that very disturbing period."
Thailand's upcoming general election is fundamentally flawed, say rights groups
HRW and over 50 Thai and international civil society groups highlighted the shrinking spaces for freedoms and democratic processes in Thailand in joint letters to 25 of Thailand’s democratic allies and trading partners.
The ‘New Uzbekistan’ budget battle: Democracy in action or a flawed system?
'People are amazed that they can get some small roads paved with asphalt by voting... What if they realise they could even change the governments by voting? Hard to imagine…'
In Turkey, will one man continue to rule them all? The May 14th elections hold the answer
The stakes are high, and there is a growing sense among the general public that if the current leadership stays in power, the country's future is grim and uncertain.
