Stories about Politics from March, 2020
An Angolan isolation centre for those repatriated lacks screening, space, and even toilet paper
"We were crowded and there was nobody to give us information or establish any control procedures. They only measured our temperature on arrival, nothing more."
COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects digital rights in the Balkans
Digital rights NGOs warn about increase of cases of violation of privacy of people under quarantine, spread of disinformation and internet scams in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Venezuela’s feminist movement begins rising above political polarization
“The State doesn’t take care of me, my female friends do."
Algeria's crackdown on dissent persists with detention of journalists
More than a year since the start of Algeria's countrywide protests to demand political and economic reforms, the government continues to resort to repressive tactics to silence critics and journalists.
Kosovo government first to fall in worldwide coronavirus crisis
Recent emergency measures against COVID-19 exposed tensions in the fragile ruling coalition, culminating in its demise.
Outrage after Indonesian politicians among first in line to get tested for COVID-19
"A lot of people are angry with parliamentarians as even doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers - the people on the front lines - are not being tested."
Maldives: Can a country so dependent on tourism afford a lockdown?
The President of Maldives banned all tourist arrivals in the country from March 27, 2020. This will impact the country's economy due to a serious shortfall in foreign currency earnings.
Grief, alienation, trauma: Kashmir under lockdown
"The removal of Article 370 may or may not impact the people of the Kashmir valley, but the treatment meted out only reminds us about the brutal occupation of our land."
Calculating the hidden costs of breakaway borders in Georgia
The boundaries between breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Georgian government controlled territory are hardening. For locals on both sides of the divide, that brings huge social and economic costs.
Azerbaijan signals a lockdown and a crackdown in fight against coronavirus
Attempting to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Azerbaijan's president has closed the country's borders, emptied its streets, cancelled large public gatherings, and given a fiery speech against the opposition.
Classified data shows that China's official figure of zero domestic COVID-19 cases excludes asymptomatic carriers
According to classified data seen by the South China Morning Post, asymptomatic COVID-19/coronavirus carriers who tested positive have not been included in the official count of confirmed cases in China.
Thai workers speak out about their need for unions and better conditions at the workplace
"I hope that one day domestic workers will be able to stand up without feeling shameful. Honestly, when I was a housekeeper, I was not proud of my profession."
Combating ‘fake news’ in the time of COVID-19 in Myanmar
"Thousands of social media users made a group and a network to serve as watchdogs for fake news on social media."
India stays home for 14 hours in the fight against COVID-19
Millions of Indians confined themselves to their homes between 7 am and 9 pm on March 22, 2020, in response to a government-imposed curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Injunction grants Guyana's election commission the freedom to declare a winner — but will it?
An ex parte injunction blocking the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from acting on the CARICOM agreement essentially gives it the green light to declare in the government's favour.
Even with renewed laws, Brazil struggles to protect women amid rising femicide
Brazil has never had that many laws tackling violence against women. Yet it ranks fifth in femicides worldwide.
Local power play ends the reign of northern Nigeria's emir of Kano
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II used his privileged voice to confront 'the evil forces of feudalism' that have kept Northern Nigeria 'in bondage for so long'. But this cost him his throne.
Pakistan claims COVID-19 under control amidst rising figures
People on social media are wondering if measures taken by the government are adequate and whether there is a proper infrastructure to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Pakistan.
Czech Republic enters quarantine amid conflicting government directives
The Czech Republic has entered nationwide quarantine on March 16. But people are allowed to travel to work and shop for food outside.
Study suggests that China could have prevented 95% of its coronavirus cases
Coronavirus cases could have been reduced by 66 per cent if the measures were taken a week earlier, the study suggested, or by 86 per cent if action began two weeks earlier.
The mother of detained blogger Le Anh Hung speaks out about prison abuse in Vietnam
The 88 Project interviewed Ms. Tran Thi Niem about her imprisoned son, blogger Le Anh Hung, who has been placed in and out of mental health facilities since his 2013 arrest.