insert_link World Russian elections: despite fixing the opposition, Vladimir Putin wants lots of people to vote for him By Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex Russians head to the polls this week in a presidential election that will almost certainly result in Vladimir Putin decisively winning yet another six-year term. When he does, it will make him the longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. Advance polling indicates he will earn 75% of the vote and face little or no meaningful opposition. His three main opponents are each […] todayMarch 14, 2024 8
insert_link Uncategorized India bans foreign donations to leading think tank India has blocked foreign funding to a leading think tank, the latest among several foreign charities, rights watchdogs and other civil society groups similarly targeted after commentary critical of government decisions. The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) is one of the country's most highly regarded public policy forums. Its staffers are prominent talking heads and columnists who have been rare dissenting voices in the media on sensitive political issues, […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 5
insert_link Opinion Pieces Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies, but it’s weaponising defamation laws to smother dissent Tim Mann, The University of Melbourne Two former coordinators of one of Indonesia’s most prominent human rights organisations have escaped conviction in a defamation case brought by a powerful government minister. While their astonishing acquittal is welcome, the case marked a bleak new low for freedom of expression in one of the world’s largest democracies. Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, who had coordinated the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims […] todayJanuary 9, 2024 12
insert_link Africa Ex-DR Congo PM backs Katumbi amid election tensions The former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, has withdrawn from next month's presidential election. He said he would now be backing Moïse Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the Katanga region. According to the BBC, the run-up to the 20 December vote has been tense with human rights groups accusing the authorities of cracking down on dissent and freedom of expression - […] todayNovember 20, 2023 3
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
