The Threat to Civil Society in Kyrgyzstan: Amendments Restricting Freedom of Association Introduction In a controversial move, the parliament of Kyrgyzstan is set to vote on amendments to its laws that further restrict freedom of association, particularly targeting the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These amendments, if passed, will have […]
Tag: democracy
Kyrgyzstan’s Proposed Law Endangers Civil Society
Kyrgyzstan‘s draft law on “Foreign Representatives,” which requires non-governmental organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in political activity to register with the Justice Ministry as “foreign representatives,” has been highly criticized by civil society advocates and legal experts for enforcing repressive laws that curtail freedom of expression and association. […]
Lawyers in Myanmar Under Attack Amid Ongoing Political Crisis
Myanmar‘s Crackdown on Defense Counsel: A Threat to Justice System The military coup of February 1, 2021, in Myanmar has resulted in widespread human rights abuses by the military junta. Amongst the many victims, lawyers defending the anti-coup protesters and critics have faced unjust arrests, torture, and mistreatment. The situation […]
The Assault on Democracy in Poland Continues with New Law to Bar People from Public Office
Poland Passes a New Law to Bar People from Public Office, Worsening the Country’s Rule of Law Backsliding On May 31, 2023, Poland enacted a new law that establishes a commission with the authority to investigate “Russian influence” in the country from 2007 to 2022. The commission can also ban […]
Senegal’s Democracy at Risk as Government Cracks Down on Opposition and Dissent
Senegal: Political Unrest and Crackdown on Dissent Senegal, a country known for its democratic and peaceful environment, is currently facing political unrest and a crackdown on opposition and dissent. The protests erupted on May 31, 2023, after the criminal court sentenced notable opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in […]
Uncovering the Past: China’s Protest Movement.
Protest Movements in China: A History of Brave Activism Introduction June 4, 1989, is a dark day in Chinese history marked by the brutal suppression of peaceful protests, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. But since then, despite the harshly repressive […]
The Importance of China Acknowledging the Tiananmen Square Massacre
China Commemorations Barred 34 Years After Bloody Crackdown In what has become an annual occurrence, Chinese authorities have once again prevented citizens from holding commemorations for the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which took place on June 4, 1989. Human Rights Watch has spoken out against the Chinese government’s attempts to erase […]
“Union Leader and Strikers in Cambodia Casino Convicted: A Setback for Worker Rights and Democracy”
The Conviction of Cambodian Labor Union Leader Chhim Sithar and Members Background A Phnom Penh court recently handed a two-year prison sentence to Chhim Sithar, leader of the Labor Rights Supported Union (LRSU) of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, while eight other union members or former members received one to one […]
Pakistan’s Crackdown on Political Opponents Sparks Concerns over Democracy.
Pakistan: Crackdown on Political Opposition Raises Concerns for Democracy The Current Situation On May 9, 2023, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on corruption charges, which provoked protests across Pakistan. In response, Pakistani police have carried out mass arrests and detained more than 4,000 people, including members of the […]
Saudi Arabia Under Pressure to Respect Civil Society Vision
Human Rights Defenders in Saudi Arabia Call for Reform Civil Society’s Right to Voice Their Vision for Reform Saudi Arabian human rights defenders, activists, and dissidents have come together to create a roadmap titled “A People’s Vision for Reform in Saudi Arabia.” This vision outlines a future for the country […]