Stories about Politics from August, 2021
As Ebrahim Raisi begins his presidential role, oppression is set to soar in Iran
Iran's former Chief Justice and head of the regime's judiciary apparatus won the presidential election on June 19 in a landslide victory.
Ken Behrens-Canberrans caption error creates Australia's accidental COVID-19 hero
"In response to Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s kind words, I’d like to say 'You’re welcome' ;p. Though please don’t tell him that I’m not actually at home right now!"
Facebook user gets 18-month prison sentence for mocking Cambodia’s prime minister
"This verdict is a message that makes those who have constructive ideas or criticisms in relation to social issues be fearful and hesitant and will limit their freedom of expression."
Protestors call for the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister Gen Prayut
Since last year, protestors have been calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Gen Prayut who came to power through a coup in 2014.
Who is glorifying terrorism: Hong Kong students or the Chinese government?
HK police arrested four university students on charges of 'advocating terrorism' because they mourned the death of a police assaulter. Meanwhile, China looks to cooperate with the Afghan Taliban.
Ukraine: 30 years in pursuit of equality
As the Ukrainian government celebrates 30 years of independence, the reality is that, for many, independence has not brought the prosperity they were promised.
Cambodia’s China-funded mega dam linked to rights abuses and loss of fisheries
"Today, everything the dammed-up rivers provided – food, water, an income from fishing – is gone."
The plight of Afghan women under the new Taliban regime
With the Taliban taking control of Kabul, women in Afghanistan are faced with the bleak prospect of a return to a society that denies their rights.
Azerbaijani experts debate causes of recent escalation
With violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan spiking, Azerbaijani experts are debating the causes behind the recent escalation, who benefits, and what happens next.
Space for peaceful protests is vanishing in Hong Kong as pro-democracy coalition is disbanded
Throughout its tenure, the umbrella organization frequently hosted major mass rallies in Hong Kong, including the 2019 anti-China extradition protests.
Australia's iconic Kosciuszko National Park faces threats on two fronts
"...commercial interests will be dictating developments within the park with scant attention to nature conservation, landscape, and heritage values for which the park was dedicated."
Blogger gets prison sentence for branding Kazakhstan's language policies “russophobic”
According to Taichimbekov, the Kazakh state has been "sourcing Russian individuals who speak out in favor of banning Russian television, banning Russian language, excluding it from the Constitution."
Anti-immigrant sentiments lead to violence in Turkey
A mob ransacked and vandalized stores, homes, and cars belonging to Syrian immigrants in Ankara's Altindag neighborhood.
More independent media added to Russia's “foreign agent” roster
"As for the list of foreign agents, by now it has so many decent people and publications on it that not to be on this list is simply indecent."
LIVE on August 25 (in Spanish): How COVID-19 fueled the protests in Cuba, Guatemala and Colombia
From Cuba to Colombia to Guatemala—countries with very different political contexts—people have taken to streets in recent times to demand change. What do these countries have in common?
With attacks on Ukrainian activists on the rise, civic pressure is key to ensuring justice
Harassment and attacks against civic activists in Ukraine are on the rise, say human rights defenders. Anti-corruption work, environmentalism, and LGBT rights remain the most dangerous spheres of activism.
Russian authorities declare independent election monitor Golos a “foreign agent”
Golos has vowed to continue training Russian citizens as observers and commissioners at polling stations, and said it believes independent citizen observation is key to ensuring a transparent election.
Russia blames Azerbaijan for violating ceasefire
The Russian Ministry of Defence accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh as tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to rise.
An eight-year-old boy is the youngest person ever accused of blasphemy in Pakistan’s history
An eight-year-old Hindu boy has become the youngest person ever to be charged under Pakistan's blasphemy laws after he intentionally urinated in an Islamic religious school library.
After Dutch Literary Prize winner says Suriname ‘needed’ former president Bouterse, organisers cancel her award ceremony
In 2019, Dési Bouterse, who first came to power in a coup, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted for the execution 15 dissidents in 1982.
What’s wrong with the political analogy comparing Taiwan to Afghanistan?
Following the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Afghanistan, Chinese commentators comparing Taiwan with Kabul have flooded social media questioning the credibility of the United States' commitment to Taiwan.
