Stories about Politics from September, 2017
Africans in Solidarity Online With Rohingya People Over Their Persecution in Myanmar (Burma)
"Silence is consent. Our silence is troubling. We need to speak out about this, we need to get angry, we need to help them."
On Telegram, Russian Politics and Memes Translate Into Big Bucks
One of the most popular Telegram channels made the headlines in the Russian press in September 2017 when it was sold for 5.5 million rubles (US$95,000).
A Pro-Environmental Campaign Pushes the Jamaican Prime Minister’s Public Petition Page Into the Limelight
Cockpit Country is an ecological gem, under threat from bauxite mining. As an online petition to save the area attracts support, Jamaicans find a new way to engage their government.
A 20 Billion Dollar Trade Agreement Between China and Guinea Raises Concerns
"Will this be a mutual agreement? At the moment, we are hanging on the government's every word as they negotiate this without providing many details."
Malaysia Detained Turkish Scholar Mustafa Akyol for ‘Unauthorized Teaching’ of Religion
"By policing religion, authorities are not really protecting it. They are only enfeebling their societies, raising hypocrites and causing many people to lose their faith in or respect for Islam."
Nigeria's Youth Are Rallying for the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ Bill
"The world is WATCHING The 8th National Assembly. Vote 'Yes' to remove age barrier as it would reduce inequality"
Clapping Back Against Online Xenophobia, Trinidad & Tobago Citizens Continue to Help Hurricane-Ravaged Dominica
"I apologise for our having here persons who are less charitable and more ungracious in your time of trouble. They do not represent the majority of us."
Despite Censorship, a Former Chinese Soldier Brags of His War Crimes Online
On WeChat, Zhang boasted of killing a woman and raping her teenage daughter in the Sino-Vietnamese War.
Ayotzinapa: It's Been Three Years Since 43 Students Disappeared in Mexico
Three years and three prosecutors later, calls for justice for the Ayotzinapa case have been drowned out in a sea of scandals surrounding the Mexican government.
Report Reveals a Company Linked to Paraguayan Minister Drives Deforestation in the Chaco Region
Investigators of the organization Earthsight revealed that the largest exporter of Paraguayan charcoal, a company associated with Paraguay's public works minister, deforests about 10 football fields of land per day.
Puerto Rico, Trapped Between Colonialism and Hurricanes
Irma and Maria's passing and aftermath have once again brought to light Puerto Rico’s primordial conundrum: colonialism.
Purple March Unites a Thousand Malaysian Women Against ‘Toxic Politics’
"It was quite a sight to behold. 1,000 people does not sound like a lot, but in Malaysia...protesting is not looked upon kindly..."
As Italy and Egypt Strengthen Diplomatic Ties, Will Giulio Regeni’s Murder Case See Justice?
Did Italy give up on the quest for Giulio Regeni's killers so Egypt would help Italy block migration to Europe?
Myanmar Government Vows to Address Refugee Crisis in Rakhine State, but Avoids Saying ‘Rohingya’
"Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State."
Is Ex-Soviet Georgia Backsliding on Justice?
While Georgia still scores respectably in international rule of law rankings, public confidence in the justice system is dipping.
Criticism of Trinidad & Tobago's State Enterprise System Follows Fraud Allegation Against Oil Supplier
"The State enterprise system is the vehicle by which the unholy facilitations are carried out [...] It has been destructive of honesty, accountability and transparency."
Human Rights Group Prevented by Police and Anti-Communist Mob From Commemorating 1965 Massacre in Indonesia
"The complete inaction of the police to stop this violence, contributes to the erosion of democracy and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Indonesia."
The Perils of Military Engagement Against North Korea
"Any country that considers an attack on North Korea must confront the question of who turned the DPRK into such a defiant rogue nation."
Speaking of Independence Is Getting Harder for Hong Kongers
"The universities can say they don’t support Hong Kong independence, but students and teachers should have the freedom of speech to discuss Hong Kong independence."
German Anti-Immigrant Party Targets Russian-German Voters With a Xenophobic Ad
The ad was highly criticized. One German woman wrote, "...because I'm all for fighting for our country, I’m considering suing you and your 'party' for incitement of ethnic hatred..."
