Stories about Politics from May, 2021
Hong Kong authorities warn of 5-year prison term for attending Tiananmen Massacre vigil
The security bureau warned that under the Public Order Ordinance, offenders will face up to five years in prison for attending, or one year for promoting, the vigil.
As tourists party, citizens under COVID lockdown ask: Are there ‘two Jamaicas'?
When video of an event at a popular entertainment spot emerged, the images of hundreds of maskless revelers partying in close quarters prompted a wave of anger across Jamaica's blogosphere.
7 ways Beijing reduced democratic representation in Hong Kong’s elections
A new powerhouse, headed by a "state leader," will elect the city's chief executive, nominate all candidates running for the legislature, and appoint 40 of its members to the legislature.
European Parliament calls for ‘immediate’ and ‘unconditional’ release of Armenian prisoners
On May 20, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Azerbaijani government to release all Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives.
Approval of benefits for employees of the Assembly of the Republic causes protests in Mozambique
Other Mozambican civil servants do not enjoy the same benefits.
Belarus grounds Ryanair flight, detains independent journalist amid regime's crackdown on media
Pratasevich was formerly an administrator of NEXTA-Live, the Telegram channel covering the anti-government protests in Belarus. He is currently editor-in-chief of Belarus Golovnogo Mozga, another independent media outlet.
In Turkey, a mafia boss's YouTube videos give Netflix some stiff competition
Among the figures targeted the string of YouTube videos posted by Turkish mafia boss Sedat Peker are the Minister of the Interior and the president's son-in-law.
Istanbul mayor surprises users on live streaming platform Twitch
The first appearance on the platform of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul mayor and member of the main opposition Republican People's Party, coincided with a national holiday celebrating youth and sports.
Ukraine commemorates 77th anniversary of Crimean Tatar deportation
The trauma and memory of the deportation remain central to the history and identity of the Crimean Tatars and have gained renewed attention since Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014.
Tunisians left to themselves to fight COVID-19
Once the pride of Tunisia, the public health system has deteriorated since the 1990s because of corruption and deregulation in favour of the private sector.
France, Turkey, Poland: The reality of the new COVID-19 spike crisis
“The figures serve to discount the Western implication that Indian democracy and civil society have failed in the last analysis to match the achievements of the richer nations.”
Australian government ‘mute’ on more ambitious plan to address climate crisis
"Australia stands on its own as being particularly out of step. Alone among more than a hundred nations, Australia has no target for reaching net zero emissions"
Hong Kong to toughen up privacy law against doxxing
If the law passes, will the Privacy Commissioner implement the law fairly, taking against doxxing regardless of the victims' (real or perceived) political affiliations?
Fifteen Georgian political parties sign joint agreement on queer rights
Fifteen political parties in Georgia have signed a statement outlining their commitment to protecting the rights of queer people.
Protecting its people and preserving democracy: Germany's pandemic predicament
Support for the government's response to the pandemic wavered by December 2020, as many Germans began to feel "mask-tired" and frustrated by a problematic vaccine rollout campaign.
Nepal appeals for international support amidst sweeping second COVID-19 wave
Nepal is devastated by the second wave of Coronavirus. The infection rate is rising sharply and the health infrastructure is crumbling, Nepal has asked for international support.
Environmental activists convicted in Cambodia for planning ‘one-woman walk’
"These young people were arrested for trying to protect Phnom Penh’s largest lake and preserve it for current and future generations."
Lockdown for citizens, beach holiday for tourists: New ad exposes Turkey's lopsided COVID rules
Turkey introduced fresh lockdown measures on April 29 in a bid to curb a new COVID-19 wave -- but international holidaymakers are exempt from them.
The different faces of gender equality in Vietnam politics
"From former political prisoners to the wives of jailed activists to ordinary citizens, many women have been subjected to mistreatment and harassment one way or another."
Israeli settlers’ aggressive takeover of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem is part of a decades-long struggle
Tensions have brewed in the occupied territories of Palestine for weeks, starting with Israel assaulting Muslim's holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, evicting Jerusalemites from their homes and restricting their movement.
Several NGOs denounce censorship of Palestinian voices by tech companies
The NGOs' statement labelled as "improbable mistakes" the fact that Facebook reported two "technical issues" within 48 hours which they said targeted Palestinian users and "compromised Jerusalemites’ right to freedom of expression..."