Stories about Western Europe from September, 2016
Netizen Report: Swiss Citizens Say Yes to Surveillance
Swiss activists lose referendum on privacy, Jordanian authorities ban media coverage of writer’s assassination, and Mexico is spending even more money on surveillance tools than was previously known.
French Diversity Raises an Eyebrow at Nicolas Sarkozy’s ‘Our Ancestors Are the Gauls’ Declaration
"When you're six years old and you read that your ancestors were Gauls, with fair hair and blue eyes... it wasn't only us who giggled, it was the teacher, too.”
Polish Lawmakers Move Forward With a New Abortion Ban That Critics Say Will Be ‘Hell for Women’
Poland's “Black Protest” movement picks up steam, after lawmakers vote to proceed with legislation that will criminalize abortions in nearly all circumstances, threatening women and doctors with prison.
A Toxic Mix of Illegal Logging and Corruption Is Devastating Europe’s Last Primeval Forests
The documentary film “Clear Cut Crime” shows the toxic effects of collusion between illegal logging and politicians in Romania and Ukraine.
One Australian Nurse's Stirring Response to the Refugee Crisis
"I have learnt that not everyone is as caring; that the term ‘refugee’ is a dirty label that strips people of their identity."
Iron Maiden and Turkish Folk Music? That's What Inspires This Cretan Musician.
The island of Crete is a crossroads for migrants and refugees. It's there that musician Stelios Petrakis finds his inspiration.
Parents’ Group in Greece Says No to Integrating Refugee Children in Schools
Members of a parents' group are protesting the Greek government's decision to integrate more than 15,000 children from refugee and migrant families into the national education system.
Commemorating Biljana Garvanlieva, a Macedonian Filmmaker Who Gave Voice to Marginalized Women
"As an engaged documentary author my motivation is to break the existing image about women in Macedonia."
Yugoslav Comic ‘Dikan’ Is Back to Remind Us We're All Descendants of Migrants in Some Way or Another
"Finally, we, the Early Slavs, have inhabited the Internet, too. We bid you a warm welcome and pleasant stay."
French Politicians Say the Darndest Things About Colonialism
You'll find little in common between François Fillon, the former French prime minister, and Dorcas Dienda, a current contestant in the “Miss DRC” beauty pageant. But that being said...
A Muralist Is Painting Weeds Around the World to Represent the Margins of Society
"I don’t paint dainty little grandmotherly botanical illustrations."