Stories about Politics from January, 2018
Spanish Activist Helena Maleno's Trial in Morocco Is ‘a Way to Intimidate’ Human Rights Defenders, Her Supporters Say
Helena Maleno is accused of participating in a human trafficking network for her work assisting migrants who run into trouble during the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing to Europe.
Russians are Baffled by the United States Treasury's Latest Sanctions List
Russia’s political elite registered a collective smirk at the seemingly toothless report.
After Two Decades, Will Ghana Finally Pass a Right to Information Law?
"We the people...put our faith in the system expecting them to work efficiently, fairly and impartially. But that hasn’t been the case...we continue to find ourselves in the cesspool."
A Victim of Police Brutality in Myanmar Seeks Justice While Confronting Racist Comments on Social Media
Hate speech comments attacking the complainant based on his facial appearance, skin color, and ethnic identity became more prominent than the original issue of police brutality.
The ‘Girls of Revolution Street’ Protest Iran's Compulsory Hijab Laws
"With religion and hijab there should be no force."
Polarized by Populism, Czech Society Braces for a Second Round of Presidential Elections
The election has driven ardent debates among citizens on and offline. As a parliamentary republic, the president has very limited executive powers, yet the election has polarized the nation.
Iran Suspends Thousands of Drug-Related Death Sentences After Years of Human Rights Advocacy
"Ninety percent of the prisoners on death row for drug crimes were just unfortunate mules carrying drugs to pay for their daughter’s dowry or an operation for their mother."
Afghanistan Reels From Two Deadly Attacks in Less than a Week
"A cowardly and heinous attack by a bunch of terrorists on a humanitarian organization that serves the Afghan children."
Veto Viber? Tax Telegram? Such Are Tajikistan's Tech Company Conundrums
Once asked why the government was raising a tax on mobile phone companies, the tax chief responded: "Now even barefooted ones have a mobile phone."
Offering ‘Beer, Meat and Oppression,’ A Carnival Group Wants To Celebrate Brazil's Military Dictatorship
The Public Ministry of São Paulo will investigate the organizers of the event which, according to the prosecutors, insults the rights to truth and memory and promotes apology for the crime of torture.
#JusticeForAsifa: A Young Girl's Murder Shocks Jammu And Kashmir Residents — But Not the National Media
Nationally, reactions to the incident have been sporadic, with many Indians refraining from commenting or staging protests against the heinous crime.
Ugandans Grow Anxious Over Incidents of Deadly Viral Fever
The death of nine-year-old Bridget Nalunkuuma in the central Ugandan town of Nakaseke has rattled residents who fear the girl may have suffered from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever. Eight other people have...
Protests Underscore the Potential Power of Iran's Access to Information Law
This is an opportune time to fully enforce efforts towards transparency after Iran's December-January protests. The first step must be a full implementation of Iran’s Access to Information law.
What is More Convincing for World Cup 2018 Fans? Russia's Edgy New Tourism Logo or Their Governments’ Dire Warnings?
With the World Cup fast approaching, will Russia live up to its new “The Whole World Within Russia” tourism brand campaign?
Jurassic Post: Afghan Minister's Gaffe Raises Meritocracy Concerns
“I regret that the National Unity Government talks about good governance while appointing a minister who lacks primary literacy.”
In Indonesian Papua, Dozens of Children Have Died From Measles and Chickenpox While Awaiting Medical Care
"Does anyone want to go there and get real data about their condition? And why do we only now say this is a problem?"
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is Pregnant and Internet Users Can't Stop Talking About It
The buzz around the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's pregnancy is just the beginning of months of the inevitable media circus.
Filipino Bloggers Rally to Defend Rappler News Site
"We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views."
Barbados’ Sewage ‘Crisis’ Causes a Flood of Problems
"The South Coast of Barbados [is] known as the place to wine, dine and party. Regrettably, the South Coast has been making news because of sewage overflowing onto public spaces..."
To Achieve Freedom for Iran and the Arab Nations, the Region Must Unite
"United, we can rebuild the region and save all our peoples before the Iranian regime drags us all over the precipice into a chasm of sectarian bloodletting and chaos."
UNESCO World Heritage Site at Risk: Bulgarian Government Allows Construction in Pirin, Citizens Protest
Protesters want the controversial decision withdrawn and credible guarantees given that park preservation and the rule of law will be protected -- including the resignation of Environmental Minister Neno Dimov.
