Featured stories from February 2021
Stories from February, 2021
Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh, the man at the heart of Trinidad & Tobago's Highway Re-Route Movement
Despite the HRM's legal victory, Kublalsingh says "it would have been a better outcome" if the government had been made to abide by the findings of the independently commissioned report.
Nigerian politician arrested for condemning the kidnap of schoolchildren
Salihu Tanko Yakasi’s tweets came after the kidnapping of about 300 school girls at Government Girls Secondary School inJangebe, north-western Nigeria, on February 26, 2021.
Activists demand action over slow pace of online sexual predators case in North Macedonia
A private messaging group was used by thousands of people to share stolen photos and personal data of women and girls from North Macedonia, Serbia, and possibly other countries.
Community in Trinidad says ‘No’ to quarry operator targeting area's last untouched watershed
Tired of dealing with the effects of quarrying in the area, including river water "unfit for human use," residents are trying their best to prevent further extraction and environmental degradation.
Myanmar illustrators unite to distribute protest art for free
"Like all other Myanmar citizens, artists want to contribute to the national struggle... artists can assist other protesters with our artworks..."
Could Trinidad & Tobago's COVID-19 travel exemption process be compromising citizens’ rights?
One attorney posited that the government’s ability to regulate borders “is no way in question." However, whether the exercise of that power intersects with citizens' rights remains to be argued.
Philippines’ ‘Paradis Island’ has a message for ‘Attack on Titan’ fans
"We are an innocent island in a lake in Laguna and we have nothing to do with Titans."
In post-war Armenia, legislators take aim at press freedom
Since the war, press work has been thrown into disarray by new and often vague regulations. Now, new draft bills could make reporting in Armenia even more difficult.
What keeps people with disabilities indoors in Azerbaijan? The answer is not COVID-19
"Why is the government not interested in providing lasting, sustainable and impactful solutions to the problems people with disabilities face in Azerbaijan?"
Myanmar’s ‘civil disobedience movement’ has produced many inventive ways of protesting
Only three weeks have passed since the coup but protesters have already used various creative methods to express dissent.
Transgender people in El Salvador are defending their right to vote
A team of 14 people from the LGBTQI community are training those in charge of El Salvador's electoral process in order to combat discrimination, ahead of the February 28 elections.
Beijing official signals changes to Hong Kong's electoral system
Xia said the power to govern the semi-autonomous region must "lie in the hands of patriots."
Trinidad & Tobago's problem with gender-based violence
Since the murder of Andrea Bharatt, parliament has passed the Evidence Bill and approved the use of pepper spray for self-defence, but are these measures really addressing the core issue?
Guatemala's ‘La Llorona’ fuses horror and politics to tell a haunting tale of the civil war
"La Llorona" is the first Central American film to ever be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the Golden Globes, which will be held on February 28.
Are Istanbul's Boğaziçi University protests an expression of exceptionalism?
“What would make Erdoğan's life increasingly difficult would be for academia as a whole in Turkey to unify around a single platform and pursue vociferously a rigorous set of demands …”
Greece #metoo: Rape accusations against prominent actor and National Theater director finally lead to arrest
Amidst a #metoo whirlwind in Greece, prominent Greek actor and director Dimitris Lignadis is finally arrested on rape charges.
Despite claims of authoritarianism, President Bukele's popularity continues to be strong in El Salvador
Polls favor Bukele's party to win over the Legislative Assembly in the next elections—good news for those who approve of Bukele, bad news for those who see him as authoritarian.
Algeria releases dozens of pro-democracy prisoners ahead of Hirak anniversary
Rachid Nekkaz and Khalid Drareni are among Hirak-linked prisoners pardoned by the president, who also ordered a cabinet reshuffle and dissolved parliament as protests resumed over unmet demands of 2019 upheaval.
Mozambique’s President pardons young men who insulted him in viral video
One of the men was even arrested, and the case was widely discussed on social media.
Myanmar citizens continue strong opposition to military junta with ‘22222’ general strike
"If we oppose the dictatorship, they might shoot us. But we have to oppose dictatorship. It’s our duty. That’s why so many people are coming out today against them."
Rising Voices’ Activismo Lenguas initiative receives International Mother Language Award
“This award is a testament to the impact that language digital activists are having across Latin America and the great potential of their work."
