Stories about Politics from November, 2019
Iran protests: Flying bullets and internet shutdown
The current protests are more widespread, more diverse in terms of class, and characterized by a brutal government response that includes a near-total shutdown of the internet.
130 civil society groups call on Myanmar military to drop charges against civilians
"The military are the government’s staff. If they are doing wrong, citizens have a right to point it out. Citizens have a right to speak out,”
Hong Kong Polytechnic University on fire after violent clashes between protesters and police
As riot police stormed another university campus in Hong Kong, protesters set fire to create barricades.
Fear and uncertainty: The life of Georgians in Gali
For ethnic Georgians in breakaway Abkhazia, life is a bureaucratic nightmare.
Some foreign correspondents were denied entry to Putin’s press conference in Budapest
Like Hungarian journalists critical of the government, foreign journalists working in the country are now facing an information blockade.
Iranian-Kurdish refugee Behrouz Boochani free at last from Australian offshore detention
"I just arrived in New Zealand. So exciting to get freedom after more than six years."
Malaysian writer faces probe after publishing a book about her decision to not wear a hijab
"It is important for us to remind the government that freedom of expression is not a crime and freedom of religious beliefs is not an insult to Islam."
Your guide to the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election
On 16 November 2019, Sri Lankans are going to the polls to elect a new president. Learn more about the major players and check out our list of useful resources.
University of the Philippines unveils new subject on the Marcos dictatorship to counter historical revisionism
The new subject can be a platform for the “conscientization” of young Filipinos on the importance of human rights, social justice and the continuing struggle for genuine freedom and democracy.
Hong Kong's university campuses turned into battlefields amidst a three-day strike
Clashes between police and student activists started the first day of the general strike on 11 November as some protesters attempted to create roadblocks to disrupt traffic.
‘Brazil might not be a dictatorship, but it's not a democracy either,’ says Brazilian journalist
Mário Magalhães wrote a book about 2018, the year that changed Brazil forever.
No major problems with fake news in Croatia, says news anchor
"We in Croatia have no major problems with false news, at least not in the mainstream media, but there is a certain distortion of facts on the margins of the media scene."
In Mozambique, Frelimo's landslide electoral victory rejected by opposition
Frelimo also elected 184 out of 250 seats of the unicameral legislative and all 10 provincial governors.
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong responds to Thai Army Chief
Joshua Wong gives updates on the Hong Kong protest and addresses allegations by Gen Apirat Kongsompong, Thai Royal Army Chief.
Stubble burning and polluted rivers choke India's capital
This year, the Indian national capital region is facing a severe pollution crisis as smog grows out of control and toxic foam covers the badly-polluted Yamuna River.
The future of asylum seekers is uncertain in Sri Lanka
"The authorities must take urgent steps to guarantee the safety, dignity and human rights of all refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring that they are safe and have humane living conditions."
Former university lecturer jailed for online posts in Vietnam
Vietnamese authorities continue their crackdown on freedom of expression against ordinary citizens even when they do not engage in any grassroots activism or political movements.
Hong Kong activists denounce court ban on ‘violent’ content as a threat to internet freedom
Internet Society Hong Kong will file a judicial review against an interim injunction prohibiting anyone from posting, re-posting and aiding the dissemination of information that promotes violence.
Vanuatu journalist says his work permit was revoked for criticizing the government
"People will hem and haw and say all kinds of things, but it boils down to this: I spoke out, and was punished for telling the truth."
Beirut demonstrations honored in a map showing protest as a process of live ‘city-making’
“Maps are important additions to the visual "magma" we're being exposed to because they allow us to summarize, reflect and put things in perspective."
Tanzania high court upholds ruling to end child marriage despite attempts to repeal it
In October 2019, the Tanzanian High Court upheld the ruling to end child marriage. The ruling is a step toward eliminating harmful practices and ending all forms of discrimination against girls.