Stories about Politics from April, 2020
Fiji general cites need to ‘stifle criticism’ in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
"The COVID-19 pandemic is not an excuse for human rights violations. Excessive force and brutality are unacceptable from any of our enforcement or security forces."
‘Language revolt': This activist tweets against erasure of first languages in South Africa
A language reclamation activist confronts linguistic imperialism and the dehumanisation of two South African first languages through digital inclusion advocacy.
To fight COVID-19 in Myanmar, a call to end the war and internet shutdown in Arakan region
"During the global pandemic, we need to stop the war and internet shutdown to fight COVID-19 in Rakhine."
New video gives clues about motives behind attacks in northern Mozambique
Recorded in Ntchinga village, the video shows the armed group bearing an Islamic State flag and a leader addressing the local people in Kimwan and Kiswahili languages, resembling a rally.
Pre-Hispanic inspiration, struggle, and satire: The art of Mexico's Manuel Ruelas
"In Mexico, the ultimate misfortune is death. That is why this is a recurring concept in my work."
‘Clean city-state’ image of Singapore shows double-standards in its treatment of migrants in times of COVID-19
"....even if you do most things right, if you're not considering or proactively looking out for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, you're not going to effectively fight #COVID19."
COVID-19 in the Middle East: Is this pandemic a health crisis or a war?
War-like rhetoric around COVID-19 has allowed governments in the Middle East and North Africa to execute emergency powers and impose draconian measures that would otherwise be unacceptable.
A high-profile funeral highlights a double standard in Nigeria under lockdown
In Nigeria, a high-profile burial amid COVID-19 lockdown orders highlights a double standard when it comes to state guidelines on best practices to mitigate the spread of the deadly disease.
Six false statements by Serbian government officials on COVID-19
Government officials are helping spread disinformation about the pandemic.
Beijing stages crackdowns on Hong Kong’s opposition amid COVID-19 pandemic
Over a span of just five days, the city saw its legislature, judiciary, legal system and civil society come under threat.
Liberia's President George Weah sings his fight against COVID-19
Despite a message and movement solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 in Liberia, President George Weah still faces critique over a tanking economy and restricted media.
COVID-19 spells disaster for Brazil's overcrowded prisons as first inmate death recorded
The country has over 750,000 people living in prisons. It's the third-largest prison population worldwide, coming behind the US and China.
Russians launch mass virtual protests using satnav application
People across Russia are logging onto a popular satnav to launch virtual protests. Within hours, the Yandex.Navigator app was showing empty squares and streets of cities in lockdown as "congested"
For Nepal's migrant and daily wage workers, lockdown is more dangerous than the coronavirus
Domestic daily wage labourers and migrant workers are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Nepal.
Bangladesh's frontline health workers contend with resource scarcity, stigma and restrictions
In Bangladesh frontline health worker workers are facing an unprecedented level of hardship, and also some criticism.
Papua New Guinea’s police minister says two journalists who reported on COVID-19 funding ‘can’t be trusted’
"It is not up to a government minister to decide whether journalists should be fired, and especially when it is because of a report he didn’t like."
Life in the time of COVID-19: A Caribbean perspective on isolation
From a COVID-19 survivor to a teenager with autism, here's how some Caribbean netizens are coping with self-isolation.
COVID-19 exacerbates inequalities in Trinidad & Tobago's education system
"The [Ministry of Education] was utterly tone-deaf and did not effectively address my concerns."
Even with a law, São Paulo's municipalities are not fulfilling citizens’ right of access to information
Using Brazil's Law on Access to Information, Agência Mural asked 39 municipalities about their current objectives: Many ignored the requests, and the majority which replied did not send clear data.
Malaysia orders ‘stern action’ against media misreporting government statements on COVID-19
"Resorting to censorship, especially in its extreme form, in a time of crisis reflects the insecurity of the government of the day."
Iran fails to contain COVID-19 as internal political clashes prevent a timely and unified response
Iran is one of the countries worst affected by COVID-19, thanks in part to political disagreements and a lack of coordination among government authorities.
