Stories about Politics from September, 2020
Barbados declares intent to recognise same-sex unions and remove British queen as head of state
The Cayman Islands recently made same-sex partnerships legal, but Barbados may become the first CARICOM member to do so. It will also replace the queen as head of state.
Is Belarus in the midst of a generational upheaval?
Our survey reveals societal divisions behind protests against the Lukashenka presidency. Foremost is a generational rift between those who became adults during the Soviet period and those born after 1990.
Hong Kong's universal testing wraps up with low turn out
The scheme's effectiveness and costs were the subject of heated controversy, but it was probably Beijing's involvement that spooked most Hongkongers.
Nigerians demand names of politicians slammed with US visa ban
The US visa ban extends to politicians who promoted violence during the 2019 national elections and undermined Nigeria’s democratic process.
Millions of Indian students sit university entrance exams after government disregards protests to postpone them
Students protested throughout the entire month of August, citing concerns with COVID-19 transmission and reduced transportation in quarantined zones.
Al Jazeera Balkans crew attacked at a right-wing opposition party protest in Skopje
Assaulted female journalist insisted on reporting the incident to the police and tracking the attacker, as a way to stand up to a culture of impunity for violence against journalists.
New Age communities are driving QAnon conspiracies in Brazil
QAnon emerged in the US but its plasticity makes it easily adaptable in a Brazilian context, where New Agers seeking alternative truths play a prominent role in propagating its ideas.
A Chinese city withdraws ‘civility code’ following online criticism
Suzhou – a Chinese city near Shanghai – launched a “civility code” in early September to rank citizens’ civility. As negative comments flooded in, the city called an end to the testing.
Website exposing military corruption blocked in Myanmar
"It shows the increased intolerance by the government on freedom of expression and that they are trying to cover up the crimes and corruption of the military."
Why Malawi urgently needs a data protection law
In January 2018, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) announced a mandatory national sim card registration exercise tied to the national ID process.
How churches became entangled in Belarus’ political crisis
As the crisis drags on, the leader of Belarus' Catholics was denied entry into the country and his Orthodox counterpart was replaced. Both had publicly criticised the crackdown on protesters.
What is Russia's endgame in Belarus?
Moscow has wearied of embattled President Alexander Lukashenka and is now concerned with protecting its interests in an eventual (and inevitable) transition of power, says Belarusian political scientist Yuri Tsarik.
Indian scientists pen letter against government slashing of environmental protections
The letter says the updates to the Environmental Impact Assessment norms will encourage projects with no prior clearance to commence operations and eventually get regularised by paying a fine.
Moderating harmful content online in Sudan: Policies and measures
In Sudan, social media platforms struggle to enforce guidelines and rules regarding content deemed harmful such as hate speech and disinformation.
What's happening in Thailand? Youth activists rally to protect democracy, freedom of speech
An explainer about the ongoing youth-led protests in Thailand.
Myanmar activist poet convicted for protesting against internet shutdown
The protest featured the unfurling of a banner that read: “Is the internet being shut down to hide war crimes and killing people?”
COVID-19 leaves Indian tea workers struggling for survival
The Indian tea industry is facing losses that hamper the already tenuous well-being of labourers, whose stark economic reality has led them getting back to work during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Julian Assange supporters rally to defeat extradition to United States
"The extradition to the US of a publisher and journalist, for engaging in journalistic activities while in Europe, would set a very dangerous precedent."
Jamaica Labour Party wins decisive second term in office amidst low voter turnout and COVID-19 fears
The government lifted quarantine restrictions for several communities so that even those who had tested positive for the virus – and thousands in home quarantine – could exercise their right to vote.
In Sri Lanka, affected families resist climate of fear on International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Thousands of people, primarily ethnic Tamils, are believed to have been forcibly disappeared while in state custody during the final years of the 1983-2009 civil war. Their families still seek answers.
‘Khon Kaen has had enough': Pro-democracy activists protest in northeast Thailand
The youth-led protest actions in Thailand are not just happening in the capital Bangkok. Here's a report of a major rally in the country's northeast region.