Stories about Politics from August, 2023
Prioritizing disability employment in Azerbaijan
A January 2023 survey, found out that a striking 80 percent of respondents were unemployed at the time of the survey and were actively seeking employment as of January 2023.
Central Asian presidents cannot stop appointing their relatives to high-level posts
The most glaring example of this practice is the current president of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimukhamedov, who succeeded his father Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov in 2022.
China retaliates as Japan discharges treated radioactive water from Fukushima
China is the only country in the world that bans seafood from Japan over Fukushima discharge of treated radioactive wastewater.
‘Stop the dump’: Pacific communities protest Japan’s release of treated nuclear water
"If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo! If it is safe, test it in Paris! If it is safe, store it in Washington! But keep our Pacific nuclear free!"
Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash. Did Russians know who he was?
In a poll conducted in Russia three weeks after the mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner group, only a third of respondents (33%) said they knew about “the military crisis that occurred in Russia on June 24.”
Did the Myanmar junta build the ‘world’s biggest Buddha statue’ to whitewash its crimes?
Myanmar’s military regime unveiled a large Maravijaya Buddha statue in a massive religious ceremony, which critics describe as an attempt to distract from the junta’s brutal leadership.
Nayib Bukele with an easy path to a second presidential term in El Salvador
Bukele's mediatic power and popular 'iron fist' methods against crime may give him an easy route to reelection, despite concerns about human rights and constitutional violations.
Christian community comes under attack in Pakistan once again
On 16th August, over 19 churches and 80 Christian homes were vandalised by an angry mob reacting to an alleged incident of blasphemy in Jaranwala, a town in Faisalabad, Punjab province.
How Turkey’s opposition elite enabled Erdoğan and misled voters
Ahead of and during Turkey's general elections in May 2023, much of the influential opposition media outlets, with its commentators and journalists, were in a state of euphoria.
China is on the precipice of its own major financial crisis
Many are worried that the bankruptcy of Evergrande will trigger a domino effect that extends that crisis from the property to the finance sector.
Morocco's Amazigh pursue civic presence through linguistic rights
Respecting the linguistic rights of the Amazigh people promotes social integration and allows speakers to freely express their culture and identity, which results in increased civic engagement.
Young people have increasing role ahead of Senegal's presidential elections: Interview with Gilles Yabi
After the incumbent president announced he would not seek reelection, Senegalese young people mobilize ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
Musicians in Afghanistan live in fear and despair amid the Taliban ban on music
"Taliban have transformed Afghanistan into a place deprived of music and art. They transformed it into a quiet, dumb country."
US band The Killers had a rough crash-course in Georgian politics
The American band, The Killers, was booed off the stage during their much-anticipated concert Georgia after they invited a Russian drummer to join them onstage.
Cambodia: Problematic laws and restrictions on information are threatening digital rights
As internet use and digital technologies flourished in Cambodia, more people are relying on social media to access news and information and to exercise their rights to free expression.
Only Sharia-following women can engage in Kuwaiti politics
Kuwaiti activists and citizens are expressing discontent over the endorsement of a new law that seemingly aims to use religion to sideline women from politics.
Why people are voting for ‘anarco-capitalist’ Milei, from an Argentinian perspective
"The trouble is that in this 'fed-upness,' anyone can come along, and that's what happened."
Concerns in Guyana about threats against women activists
Women have been on the receiving end of death threats and other forms of intimidation for speaking out against mining, fossil fuel extraction and sexual violence.
Ahead of election, Pakistan introduces new laws to stifle dissent
On August 9, 2023, the Pakistan National Assembly was dissolved to pave way for the upcoming election and dozens of bills were hurriedly passed that limit civil liberties and stifle dissent.
‘I haven't seen a tree in three years’: An Australian journalist’s prison letter from China
"I miss the sun. In my cell, sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year. ... Most of all, I miss my children."
Jordan's fight for online freedom of expression
Jordan's endorsement of the controversial "Cybercrime Law" fuels concerns about online freedom and data privacy. It also echoes a larger conflict between security and rights.
