Stories about Politics from May, 2022
Commercialisation of one of Port of Spain's oldest communities inspires Trinidadian Leona Fabien to advocate through her art
"I hope that issues surrounding the basic rights of residents will be addressed, as the businesses appear to have much more influence when pursuing their interests."
The Chinese foreign minister's visit to the Solomon Islands has been shrouded in secrecy and press restrictions
"Giving credentials to selected journalists is a sign of favouritism. Journalists should be allowed to do their job without fear or favour."
Concerts are becoming a political battleground in Turkey
A series of concert bans are drawing backlash in Turkey with criticisms mounting against the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party for imposing conservative restrictions on citizens and the arts.
St. Lucia plans to implement the teaching of Kwéyòl in schools — but is it enough to revitalise the language?
"National identity [...] is a lived identity. Using an endangered language in school is only useful as part of a series of other national measures to support the language."
Undertones: What’s behind Bangladesh’s neutrality about Russia’s invasion?
Through deep observation, explore how there's more to neutrality in Bangladesh's relationship with Russia.
Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders take tentative steps toward peace
The EU's Charles Michel said the leaders focused on "the situation in the South Caucasus and the development of EU relations with both countries as well as the broader region.”
What overseas Chinese citizens make of Xi Jinping's resignation rumours
Rumours of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s potential resignation have swirled on Chinese social media in the past two weeks and prompted a lot of speculations among overseas Chinese dissidents.
Do Russian classics need a new interpretation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Interview with scholar Ani Kokobobo
Should Tolstoy and Dostoevsky be approached and read differently in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? While some weaponize them, other would like to see them cancelled.
TIME Magazine chooses Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley as one of ‘the world's most influential people’
Mottley's advocacy for the Caribbean at COP 26 cemented her place in the global consciousness as a forward-thinking leader and change maker.
The propagandist Dugin and the justification of Russian imperialism
Following Dugin's "logic," imperialist Putin shelled and bombed Ukrainians to "liberate" them from Western demons and to "convince" them that they were brothers and not enemies.
Activists rally for marriage equality in Thailand
A petition was launched proposing amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code to allow marriage registration between two people of any gender.
Trinidad & Tobago's failure to act on decades of abuse allegations has done unspeakable damage to children in state care
The findings of a recent task force charged with investigating allegations of child abuse at children's homes has raised the ghost of a decades-old task force report that lay buried.
Myanmar journalists face grave risks at every turn
"Many journalists have gone into hiding or fled abroad with no legal or financial support and only pro-military publications can now work openly in the country."
In Georgia, veteran journalist sentenced to 3.5 years in jail
Gvaramia was first charged in 2020 with abuse of power, embezzling property at Rustavi 2, commercial bribery, and forging documents. He was found not guilty on the last three counts.
A Uyghur journalist's demand: Bring an end to my family’s decades of suffering
"I urge UN staff to help get information on whether my 11 relatives are alive and, if so, where are they and why and how they were punished?"
Covering the economic crisis in Sri Lanka: The cost of pursuing journalism
Journalists and media houses in Sri Lanka are facing many challenges covering the ongoing economic crisis and growing public protests; some newspapers have suspended publication and many journalists were injured.
Central Asia’s fears of rising militancy in Afghanistan as Moscow invades Ukraine
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the three Central Asian states that border Afghanistan intended to defend their borders through security reinforcement and diplomacy, primarily relying on Russian initiatives.
The most desperate response to the COVID-19 lockdown in China: ‘We are the last generation.’
Some interpreted the “we are the last generation declaration” as the most desperate resistance against tyranny.
Listen to the 10 allegedly censored singers and bands in Hong Kong
The 10 allegedly censored artists and music groups are Anthony Wong, Tat Ming Pairs, Denise Ho, Rubberband, C Allstar, Dear Jane, Charmaine Fong, Serrini Leung, Kay Tse and Alfred Hui.
In Azerbaijan's capital, calls for an end to impunity against activists
A group of civil society activists held a rally in Baku, demanding an end to impunity against government critics, political activists, and journalists.
Pakistan drops 12 points on World Press Freedom Index 2022
A report by Pakistani rights organization Freedom Network reveals that journalists in Pakistan were subjected to violence, legal cases, abductions, detentions and threats last year, mostly from the state actors.