Stories about Weblog from December, 2021
In Russia, an ongoing battle for the future of science
Fear, self-censorship and job insecurity are leading to ethical violations in the country’s universities and scientific establishments.
Turkish pop star angers the public with tone-deaf comments on current economic crisis
As people form long bread lines outside subsidized bread kiosks, an interview with a Turkish pop start sparks criticism online.
Turkey announces new steps to normalize ties with Armenia
During his address at the national parliament on December 13, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu said Turkey was ready to normalize ties with Armenia.
A certificate for grazing cattle: Empowering Bolivia's Aymara people by recognizing their work
The certification process allows a community that was valued before colonization to be revalued in order to be self-sustainable and for the reproduction of the life systems.
Hong Kong sees record-low voter turnout in its ‘patriot-only’ Legislative Council elections
Hong Kong had a record-low 30.2 percent voter turnout in its first "patriot-only" Legislative Council elections on December 19, 2021. Instead of casting ballots, many took the day off and traveled the city.
Top human rights court finds that the Georgia government violated the European Convention on Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights has found the Georgian government responsible for "unprecedented" violence against queer demonstrators in 2013. The court ordered the government to pay EUR 195,000 to the victims.
China's top propagandist Hu Xijin steps down as The Global Times’ chief editor
Hu’s departure is unlikely to change the course of China’s wolf warrior diplomacy, but after the restructuring, many expect the paper to become even more aligned with the “party spirit.”
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.
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."
In Nigeria, the government weaponises the law against online expression
The Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 (NCA) has been employed by the government in justifying various violations of online freedom of expression in Africa's most populous nation.
Despite updates in legislation, organisations in Uganda struggle with data protection and privacy compliance
While Ugandan legislation was recently updated to include more provisions aimed at protecting digital privacy, reality on the ground shows the majority of Ugandans are not guaranteed those rights.
2021 in retrospective: Authoritarian practices threatened journalists and restricted media freedom in South Asia
In this retrospective, we will review issues of online and press freedom, censorship, the safety of journalists and digital rights in South Asia that we covered during the year.
Tunisia: New prosecutions resurrect shadow of dictatorship
The use of military law by Kais Said's government to prosecute journalists and restrict freedom of expression foreshadows a return to the nightmare governments of before the Arab Spring.
July 7 declared World Kiswahili Language Day: A new project seeks to better understand present day dialectal variations in Swahili
"Our hope is also for Swahili to be celebrated in its complexity — with its many varieties and dialects, with the diverse groups of Swahili speakers..." –The Project Team.
Lost and found: Repatriation of Laxmi-Narayan's statue to Kathmandu Valley’s Patan
The reinstallation of the half male and half female statue of Laxmi-Narayan in Patan’s Patko is the latest example of the homecoming of stolen idols.
How did Vietnam do on human rights in 2021?
"As 2021 draws to a close, we ask that the international human rights community remain vigilant and continue working with their respective governments to demand that Vietnam respect its international obligations."
Russian filmmaker Sergei Solovyov dies at 77
Solovyov is best known for films portraying the turbulent transformations in Russian and Soviet society that occurred during the late 1980s during the perestroika and glasnost era.
In the midst of floods and climate change, these are the local systems that hold the fabric of Assam together
Flooding leaves devastation in its wake every year in Assam. As climate change erodes an already vulnerable landscape, people band together to adapt and save each other.
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.
Arrest of activist Khurram Parvez shows ‘a new hostility towards civil society in Kashmir’
Arrested and charged under the much-criticized Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for “terror-funding” and “conspiracy,” Khurram’ Parvez's internationally acclaimed body of work is being tarnished by allegations of terrorism.
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."