Stories from July, 2022
A Chinese office platform confirms that users’ files on its cloud server are subject to censorship
Cloud platforms are required by laws to review and censor users' documents on private cloud drives in China.
Eight Trinidad & Tobago Police Service officers detained in connection with fatal shooting incident
Soon after the killings in 2020, lawyers representing the deceased men's families called the police officers' actions “extra-legal,” “arbitrary” and “summary executions.”
Gone to the dogs? Strays on Trinidad's airport runway amuse social media users, but a serious issue still demands attention
Netizens were confused about how the dogs even managed to get access to the tarmac, but for many, the key issue is how animal welfare in the country is managed.
The Gambia's former spy chief sentenced to death for murder of political activist
Ebrima Solo Sandeng, an opposition youth leader, was arrested in 2015 after calling for political reforms. Sandeng was tortured to death while in custody.
Zé Du, Angolan president who was in power for 38 years, dies in Spain
José Eduardo dos Santos was head of state between 1979 and 2017, having served one of the longest presidential terms in the world.
Cambodian human rights groups continue to demand justice for murdered analyst Kem Ley
"We will still remember Kem Ley because he spoke the truth in society and dared to talk about the shortcomings of the authorities."
The ‘Ikorodu Bois’ demonstrate how digital platforms are amplifying Nigerian movies worldwide
With sparse equipment and digital tools, the ‘Ikorodu Bois’ crew created sensational and hilarious mimicry of Hollywood and Nollywood movies that has become a global social media sensation.
Access the Unfreedom Monitor database
The Unfreedom Monitor is an Advox initiative to deepen our understanding of the relationship between technology and authoritarian power. In the first phase of this project, researchers working in 11 countries and four key themes conducted analysis of incidents, narratives, and media items, to explain acts of digital authoritarianism and...
Armenia's Prosecutor General wants to monitor internet content
In a letter addressed to the government of Armenia on July 4, Armenia's Prosecutor General, Artur Davtyan said the internet should be under state control and regulated through legislation.
Antigua & Barbuda is the latest Caribbean country where ‘anti-buggery’ laws have been deemed ‘unconstitutional’
On July 5, the country's High Court ruled that clauses in the Sexual Offences Act criminalising homosexual sex were against citizens’ constitutional rights to both privacy and freedom of expression.
The forgotten story of the women who changed the history of computing in Latin America
Only a few years after women were allowed to vote in Argentina, a group of recently graduated women students built the country's first programming language.
Turkey clashes with the top European human rights court
On July 11, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), said Turkey failed to fulfill its obligation under Article 46/1 to comply with the court's 2019 judgement to release Kavala.
Working through history: Folk on Acid, by Estonian band OOPUS
If you stumbled upon this “folktronica” band at a festival, where many different acts are on the schedule, it might take you a few minutes to realize how special they are.
Transposing satire: Two literary translators of Slovak share how they find inspiration
Two literary translators take on a book of Slovak satire, Daniel Majling's collection of short stories "Roosyan Klassiks," and reinterpret their work in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Rethinking the Crimean Tatar national movements through magical realism
Orientalist and writer Renat Bekkin presents his view on the national movement of the Crimean Tatars in his book “Ak Bure”
A new era of politics begins in Sri Lanka
A peaceful mass uprising on July 9 brought about the end of a political era that started with the promulgation of the 1978 constitution of Sri Lanka, which undermined democracy.
Hong Kong set to implement a China-style health code and contact-tracing app
Hong Kong may adopt a health code system similar to the mainland Chinese three-colour version to curb the latest outbreak of COVID infections, according to the city's new health chief.
‘Ever festive’ Jamaica sees its index monkeypox patient flee state quarantine
The patient says he told health officials he was leaving to quarantine at home, since his infant daughter was under great distress without him.
Sri Lankan president agrees to resign after protesters storm his official residence
Sri Lanka witnessed a successful people's uprising on July 9, 2022, as they demanded the resignation of the President due to rising prices and acute shortage of fuel, food and medicines.
Fact-checking the inaugural speech of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"The inaugural speech raises concerns over how facts shall be regarded in the next six years."
Brazilians debate questions on sexuality and gender identity before 2022 census
After a court ruling required the inclusion of these questions in the census - to begin in August - another court ruling suspended it, arguing that it would be practically difficult.