Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from December, 2015
16 December 2015
Here's What Russian Internet Users Googled in 2015
In 2015, the RuNet cheered on Eurovision and hockey, but also mourned prominent Russians who passed away and followed the tragic events in Egypt and France.
14 December 2015
Activists Take to the Top of Lviv City Hall to Highlight Human Rights in Ukraine
Ukrainian civic activists climbed to the very top of Lviv City Hall to read aloud the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and raise awareness of International Human Rights Day.
A Tajik Singer Calls on the World Not to Forget Aylan Kurdi
'Whose knife is in my heart and my sight? What country is my lonely body buried in?'
13 December 2015
This City in Siberia Would Rather Elect a Cat Mayor
As Barnaul's political process slips further from the public, the frustrations of ordinary citizens are beginning to show. For instance, one Internet community is promoting a house cat’s mayoral candidacy.
12 December 2015
This Cat Calendar Is Making the Russian Orthodox Church Go Viral
The “Priest + Cat” calendar is the Russian Orthodox answer to the Italian Calendario Romano, featuring young and handsome Catholic priests, and the I gatti di Roma cat calendar.
Meet the Man Chronicling Macedonia's Twitter Community
He has interviewed about two-hundred and fifty Macedonian Twitter users.
11 December 2015
Hungary Adds a Flashy Website and a Lawsuit to Its Anti-Refugee Arsenal
Hungary is stepping up efforts to block European Union plans to relocate some 120,000 refugees across the continent.
10 December 2015
Russia Sentences First Activist to Three Years in Jail for Peaceful Protest
Ildar Dadin, jailed for three years for single-person pickets, pleaded not guilty and called the case against him a "shameful persecution based on an unconstitutional law."
9 December 2015
Is There Really Such Thing as ‘European Values'?
"The challenges provoked by this influx of people who search for peace and happiness in Europe cannot be solved solely with financial resources."
8 December 2015
Russian Film Festival Gets Official Warning After Promoting Anti-Corruption Documentary
The warning comes after Artdocfest announced that it is including in a special online competition a film about the corrupt business dealings of figures close to Attorney General Yuri Chaika.
New Draft Law Enables Russia to Ignore International Human Rights Decisions
A recently passed draft law could allow the Russian Constitutional Court to review any international human rights decision against Russia, allowing the Kremlin to shirk international human rights obligations.
Spot All the New Urban Murals in Kyiv With This Handy Interactive Map
Hunting down new street art and murals in Ukraine's capital has just gotten easier, with a new interactive map listing most of the locations of recent artworks.
7 December 2015
Herein Lie the Secrets of Geolocation
This guide will provide instruction on using satellite images, with a focus on historical imagery, and available street-level imagery accessible for Russian and Ukrainian cities.
5 December 2015
On Volunteer Day, Ukrainians Honor Grassroots Efforts with a Social Media Campaign
Ukrainians marked International Volunteer Day with an online campaign thanking volunteers for their work during the crisis in the country.
New Appointments to the Polish Constitutional Tribunal May Be Unconstitutional
People have been protesting and discussing a recent set of acts passed by Polish parliament, some claiming it is a true threat to democracy in the country.
4 December 2015
Natalia Antonova: Journalist and Playwright Caught Between Russia, Ukraine, and the West
Global Voices speaks to journalist and playwright Natalia Antonova about the complexities of working with mixed identity and politics in Russia and Ukraine.
3 December 2015
Is Open Government Political Theatre for the Corrupt?
There he was on stage talking about the importance of transparency, of openness, and of technology for government. Then one week later, he resigned as prime minister of Romania.
2 December 2015
Netizen Report: ‘Terrorist Threat’ or Political Speech? States Target Social Media Post-Paris
Saudi threatens to sue anyone who compares its penal system to ISIS, China cuts mobile phone service for ethnic minorities and Google goes to bat for fair use.
GV Face: How Do You Feel About The Term “Terrorism”?
Names and labels are something we take very seriously at Global Voices.
1 December 2015
Russia Sees Its First Real Prison Sentence for ‘Promoting Extremism’ on Social Media
A Russian court has handed out a real prison term to a user charged with "propaganda of extremism on social media," sentencing him to one year in a penal colony.
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Maxim Edwards is the Eurasia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Filip Stojanovski is the Eastern & Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
