Stories about Protest from December, 2021
Russian censors block website of legal aid non-profit OVD-Info
"We see this as a continuation of the state's attack on civil society. It is no surprise that the attack is now focused on OVD-Info."
Indian migrant workers fight for their right to get paid in Serbia
Indian migrant workers have been targeted to work at mega construction projects in Serbia. Several workers are not willing to give up fighting for their back pay, despite legal loopholes.
2021 in review, from a Caribbean point of view
While the Caribbean was primarily focused on rising COVID-19 infection rates, a steady stream of variants, and strong vaccine hesitancy, the pandemic wasn't the only story affecting the region in 2021.
Turkish prosecutor general closes investigation into death of Azerbaijan’s ‘graffiti prisoner,’ Bayram Mammadov
Six months after Azerbaijani activist Bayram Mammadov's body was found by the Turkish coast guards, the prosecutor general's office has issued the final autopsy report.
New Caledonia votes to stay with France in referendum boycotted by the Indigenous population
"The future of New Caledonia cannot be built without its indigenous people. The Kanak voice is the cornerstone of New Caledonia’s common destiny."
Georgian authorities fail to produce autopsy five months after journalist’s death
The authorities in Georgia have failed to produce the results of an autopsy into the death of TV Pirveli camera operator Aleksandre (Lekso) Lashkarava.
Undertones: Online violence in Myanmar, Pakistan’s smog cover-up
Myanmar’s pro-military factions express themselves openly on social media, targeting pro-democracy supporters. And the government of Pakistan’s Punjab region clamps don on posts about poor air quality in the region.
In Sudan, the court stands on the side of unrestricted access to the internet
In Sudan a judge ruled to restore the internet service to the Sudanese after it was cut off in the aftermath of the October 25 coup.
The ‘immoral’ 42 songs banned from Indonesia's daytime radio
Songs by Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, Cardi B, and more, were banned from Indonesian radio between 3 am and 10 pm. The songs were considered immoral because they mentioned sexuality, alcohol, or vices.
Myanmar’s ‘silent strike’ delivers loud condemnation of continuing military rule
"The people showed that the revolution and popular defiance of the military council have not lost momentum."
Zagreb protests: Croatians divided around COVID-19 certificates
A series of protests erupted in Croatia after its government mandated certificates to show public sector employees are vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 or have tested negative.
High infection, low vaccination—could mandatory COVID-19 vaccines be the answer for Caribbean nations?
"Having demonstrated that mandatory vaccination is constitutionally appropriate given the leeway granted in favour of public health imperatives, [...] employers could justify a requirement in a pandemic context."
Undertones: A deep-dive into Indian hyper-nationalism
Any critique of the government, the armed forces, or the Hindu religion and its socio-political project, known as Hindutva, is labeled “sedition,” and is treated as treason for attacking the sovereignty of India.
Citizens start clean-up and recovery efforts after protests and riots in Solomon Islands
"We bring hardships and struggles upon ourselves, our family members, relatives and community members by involving in unlawful activities like riots, arson and looting."
Hong Kong authorities warn against boycott campaigns over low voter interest ahead of Legislative Elections
Hong Kong Legislative Council elections will take place on 19 December 2021. Law enforcement authorities have warned against election boycott campaigns.
Belarus, transformed: political analysts track social and political change in the country
"The Belarusians have re-envisioned their national identity, giving birth to a new civil society and reformatting social processes that generate new patterns of behavior."
Indonesian police arrested students who raised banned ‘Papuan Independence Day’ flag
December 1, 2021, unofficially considered West Papua Independence Day, marked the 60th anniversary of when Papuans first flew the Morning Star flag in a bid for independence from the Dutch.
Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Awards highlights Hong Kong's censored productions
Beijing's boycott of the Golden Horse Film Awards has generated a space for Hong Kong's independent, less-commercial productions in the international film market.
Protest in support of jailed opposition activist in Baku turns violent
Scores of activists gathered in the capital Baku to protest the unlawful imprisonment of political prisoner Saleh Rustamov, demanding his immediate release. Rustamov himself is on hunger strike since November 6.
Armenia’s ex-president Serzh Sargsyan faces bribery charges
The ex-president charged with bribery, in what his lawyer describes as an an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing political and military crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Georgian Communications Commission levies fines on TV channels for ‘political’ content
The Georgian National Communications Commission has fined several TV stations for airing "political" content outside of an electoral campaign period. Some have criticised the fines as disproportionate towards opposition-leaning channels.