Stories about Politics from February, 2016
It's Finally Official: Port of Spain's Mayor Resigns Over His Victim-Blaming Remarks
"Some of these old dogmatic doctrines of […] rural Trinidad and, and the Trinidadian society of the 50s and the 60s are no longer relevant in a modern world."
Stranger Than Fiction? Two Puppeteers Charged With ‘Glorifying Terrorism’ in Spain
"Following this legal reasoning, Francis Ford Coppola could be charged for the crimes that happen in The Godfather."
Three Important Hashtags Muslim Women Used to Battle Islamophobia and Sexism
Increasingly, Muslim women are turning to Twitter to take on people who use them as pawns to justify misogyny, racism, imperialism, and militarism.
How the Diplomatic Crisis Between Iran and Saudi Arabia Killed Sara Masry’s Blog
The diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran has meant the end of Saudi citizen Sara Masry's blog, launched after seven months of studying in Tehran.
Blast Kills at Least 28 in Ankara, Turkey
This is the second major bombing to hit the Turkish capital in less than six months.
In Bahrain, Journalism Is a Crime
American journalist Anna Therese Day was arrested, along with her crew, and deported from the restive country as it marked its fifth anniversary of anti-government protests.
Kyrgyz Journalist Loses ‘One Som’ Court Case Against His Country's President
When it comes to conflicts between the state and journalists, Kyrgyz defamation suits are not a two way street.
Remember When the Mayor of Port of Spain Promised to Resign for Victim-Shaming a Murdered Woman? He Doesn’t.
Port of Spain's mayor promised to step down after blaming a woman's murder on her choice to wear a bikini. Then he un-promised, refusing to leave office.
Bahrain's Government Continues to Strangle Dissent Five Years After Uprising Began
"Despite pledges from the authorities to prosecute security forces responsible for human rights violations in 2011, the Bahraini people are still waiting for justice."
Abandoned Shoes Protest Calls Attention to Macedonia's Massive Emigration Problem
"The scene was sad. We only have short time to make things better, to keep our youth here. To make everybody understand: We deserve better."
Serbia's Ombudsman Wants a Belgrade Police Chief Fired for Obstructing Journalists
“There was an unlawful use of force, there were threats...Many bad things were done,”
Citizens Protest Against Trinidad Mayor's ‘Vulgar’ Victim-Blaming Statements
"Clothing does not cause violence. Dark streets do not cause violence. Walking alone at night does not cause violence."
When They Lock Up the Truth: Khadija Ismayilova and the Latin America Connection
Journalist Khadija Ismayilova's sentencing to seven-and-a-half years in prison in Azerbaijan has enraged rights activists all over the world, including in Latin America.
Is Tajikistan's President ‘Preparing Himself a Parachute’ with Constitutional Changes?
Things are getting bumpy in Tajikistan, which means it is time to hold a referendum.
A Brief Twitter Guide to Uganda's Elections This Month
Global Voices presents a brief Twitter guide for updates, news, analysis, and reports related to Uganda's national elections later this month.
‘Georgian Dream’ Looking Increasingly Dreary After Year to Forget
As ex-Soviet Georgia's ruling coalition faces troubled times, it has resorted to some worrying tactics.
Haiti's Electoral Crisis and Unsteady Future
Haiti's legislative elections took place last August. Months later, the country has been left with no president, an interim government and a mandate for new elections by April 24, 2016.
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
Hong Kongers’ Long-Simmering Distrust of Government Boils Over in the ‘Fishball Riots’
"...we will fight back. We will not act like the fools in the Occupy Central protest, sitting there and waiting for the cops to arrest them."
Satirists React to Arrest of Prominent Egyptian Cartoonist Islam Gawish
Egyptian cartoonist Islam Gawish was detained briefly for running a website without a license and drawing cartoons with "political connotations." He was released after a backlash on social media.
Italy's Gesture of ‘Respectful’ Self-Censorship for Iran Ends Up Offending Italians
"I don’t think President Rouhani would have been surprised to find there were nude statues in Rome."