Stories about Politics from June, 2015
Copa América Shows How Little Love Chileans Have for President Bachelet
"It would've been much more honorable to present herself to the country and take the jokes stoically, but she decided to hide."
The Man Who Supported Ostriches and Other Viral Adventures of Viktor Yanukovych
Did Viktor Yanukovych really just happen to live in a private zoo owned by someone else? And what's the deal with those ostriches? Social media users explain.
Armenian Voices Sound Off at ‘Electric Yerevan’
"It is completely wrong to call the movement as the Armenian Maidan ... People are against ineffective, detrimental management of the electricity company."
Hong Kong's Legislature Went Off Script, and the Pro-Beijing Establishment Is Not Happy
After Hong Kong's legislature vetoed China-backed electoral reform, a pro-Beijing news outlet warned the city's autonomy could be in jeopardy if voters don't kick out pan-democrats in next year's elections.
Social Media Analysis: How an Iranian Kurdish Woman's Death Triggered a Regional Social Media Conflict
Social media controversy following the accidental death of a hotel chambermaid underscored systemic discrimination ethnic minorities face in Iran and the emerging role of Internet censorship in this milieu.
What Can the #SaudiCables Tell Us About the Kingdom's Foreign Policy?
Information in the leaked cables range from issues with visas being granted by Saudi Arabia to female singers to regional and international policies. Reading the leaks you can reach several conclusions.
#SaudiCables Show Saudi Arabia Worried About Media Coverage of Bahrain’s 2011 Uprising
Saudi Arabia worked together with Bahrain on shaping media coverage when the neighboring kingdom faced a popular uprising, according to the documents published on WikiLeaks.
The Untold Story of Social Media and the 2015 Nigerian Elections
One of the reasons attributed to the support enjoyed by Muhammadu Buhari’s re-branding and eventual ascendancy to the presidency was his social media strategy.
An Official White House Visit to Ethiopia? Africans Tell Obama ‘Don't Do It!’
Despite recent elections that swept the one opposition member from parliament, US President Barack Obama is planning a visit to Ethiopia.
The ‘Civic Death’ of Dominicans of Haitian Descent
Even though the deadline date for deportations has been extended, the future of Dominicans of Haitian descent remains uncertain, with many calling the DR's stance an attack on human rights.
New Report Details Unanimous Support Amongst Iran's Civil Society for the Iran Deal
Global Voices collaborators the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran released a newly written report yesterday entitled “High Hopes, Tempered Expectations: Views from Iran on the Nuclear Negotiations.” The report engaged with 28 members of Iranian civil society including former members of the Iranian Parliament, journalists, academics, lawyers,...
Pope Francis’ Call to ‘Hear Both the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor’ Resonates in the Philippines
Environmentalists in the country also called on the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels.
Iranian Journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi Sent Into Exile After Six Years in Prison
Zeidabadi, who worked for reformist newspapers, was convicted in 2009 of “propaganda against the state,” “assembly and collusion to create riots after the presidential election,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
Macedonian Activist Ends Hunger Strike for Migrant Rights
On Saturday, June 20, human rights expert and activist Suad Missini ended the hunger strike he started six days prior in protest of inhumane treatment of migrants passing through Macedonia. Mr. Missini issued the following statement [links added]: While the effects of the changes of the Asylum Law are yet to...
Saudi Cables Reveal How Saudi Arabia Saw Bahrain's February 14 Uprising
Wikileaks published The Saudi Cables, which contain secret documents exposing the Saudi government's meddling in Bahrain's internal affairs during the popular uprising in 2011.
#SaudiCables: What We've Learned So Far About Lebanon
The #SaudiCables on Lebanon reveal widespread corruption, bribes and repeated moral bankruptcy.
Iran Features Heavily in the Latest WikiLeaks From Saudi Arabia
"#SaudiCables show overwhelming obsession of #SaudiArabia with regards to #Iran and Shiism."
WikiLeaks to Publish 500,000 Leaked Documents the Saudi Government Doesn't Want its Citizens to See
The Saudi government is not pleased and has reached out to its citizens to ignore the cache, waving it off as the malicious work of "enemies of the nation."
How a Facebook User in Thailand Was Sentenced to 50 Years in Jail for ‘Defaming’ the Monarchy
"How can they arrest Father? Father didn’t kill anybody; the judgment is excessive."
Infographic Shows Thailand Junta Arrested Hundreds in the Past Year for Criticizing the Government
The free speech advocate iLaw uploaded an infographic which showed that 166 people have been arrested in the past year in Thailand for expressing an opinion against the military-backed government. The army grabbed power in May 2014 but it vowed to restore civilian rule and conduct free elections next year....
Bahraini Political Prisoner Ibrahim Sharif Released after “Completing his Sentence”
In a surprise move, Bahrain released politician Ibrahim Sharif, jailed in March 2011, following massive anti-government protests. Is Bahrain moving towards actual reform?