Stories about Weblog from April, 2020
#IdentityMatrix: a Twitter conversation on identity and digital rights in Africa
Activists from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, will lead a social media conversation in their mother tongue on the intersection of languages, ethnicity and digital rights in Africa.
Africans in China targeted by xenophobia amid fear of second-wave COVID-19 outbreak
China has seen a surge in the number of imported COVID-19 cases and the African community has become an easy target for "virus control" and xenophobic sentiments.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Waiting for the lifting of the lockdown
"There are more than 30,000 confirmed cases in Wuhan, and we will wait for a long time before the lockdown is lifted."
While industry booms, China's ‘mask diplomacy’ stumbles on quality concerns
As the desperate need for face masks and other medical products grows around the world, Chinese factories are transforming their assembly lines to meet the demand.
Ahead of contentious elections, Burundi faces its first COVID-19 cases
The upcoming election in Burundi has been surrounded by concerns over security and transparency. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic poses another public safety concern.
Philippine police dismantle anti-mining barricade amid COVID-19 lockdown
"My heart bleeds for our brave men and women of Didipio who had to suffer and be arrested for expressing their resistance against mining, a great menace to Mother Earth."
Police violently break up protest by healthcare workers in Balochistan, Pakistan
Medical professionals staged a protest in Baluchistan Province in Pakistan to demand Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to remain safe from coronacirus transmission from patients and they were arrested.
Stay-at-home orders accompanied by rise in domestic violence in Trinidad & Tobago
Once the government announced stay-at-home measures for everyone but members of “essential services”, the police service prepared itself for a rise in reports of domestic abuse.
Online journalist detained for quoting Cambodian prime minister’s advice on COVID-19
"The Covid-19 crisis must not be used as pretext for getting rid of journalists who do not blindly toe the government line."
Cameroon battles COVID-19 alongside separatist war and strained health care system
Cameroon has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the region. As the virus becomes a reality, citizens must adjust to this new threat amid the ongoing separtist conflict.
‘Export restrictions’ prevent US ventilators from reaching Barbados — but citizens question tactics
The news invoked a strong reaction from Barbados's health minister, who later toned down his response, saying, “‘seize’ might not have been the correct word”.
Quarantined Argentine women protest spike in femicides from their windows
Helpline calls have increased by 60 percent since mandatory quarantine began on March 20.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: ‘Our action has brought us hope’
Despite being locked down, volunteers are working hard to help others in need.
Will the rejection of Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel's murder appeal make him ‘even more of a martyr'?
Exactly six years after Vybz Kartel was given a life sentence for the murder of Clive Williams, Jamaica's Court of Appeal upheld his conviction, but reserved judgment on sentencing.
COVID-19 on the frontline: Insights from an Australian humanitarian nurse
"there are areas around the world where people cannot buy soap and do not have access to running water. It is these countries that will suffer the most..."
Caribbean cooking in the time of COVID-19
"Make whatever your comfort food is and know that if we all sacrifice for a few weeks for the greater good, we will help stop the spread of this virus."
Serbian government revokes controversial COVID-19-related decree used as pretext to arrests journalists
Public outcry after arrest of journalist embarrassed the Serbian government, which revoked its decree aimed at centralizing flow of information about COVID-19 epidemic.
#NiñasNoMadres: Argentines protest against the forced pregnancy of young girls
The story of Lucía, an 11-year-old girl forced to carry a pregnancy to term after being raped, became a symbol in the struggle for the right to safe abortion.
Blocked websites, internet shutdown, and media arrests undermine free speech in Myanmar
Activist and human rights groups are worried that free speech is being undermined in the name of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bangladeshis turn to video sites during COVID-19 lockdown
Affordable access to 4G services in Bangladesh over the last two years caused YouTube viewership to skyrocket; now, the COVID-19 lockdown will spur further growth.
Hong Kong censures public broadcaster for raising question on Taiwan's WHO membership status
"I don't really understand why when a reporter is asking something relating to health, she [...] has to remember there is ‘One Country, Two Systems'…"