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Aisyah Llewellyn

Aisyah Llewellyn

Aisyah Llewellyn is a British writer based in Medan, Indonesia, and a columnist for The Diplomat.

Aisyah Llewellyn is a British writer who has a BA in Indonesian from the School of Oriental and African Studies. She is currently completing her second BA in Indonesian law at university in North Sumatra. She is a former diplomat and writes primarily about law and human rights. She has a true crime newsletter and podcast named Hukum.

Posts by Aisyah Llewellyn
November 13, 2024

Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
A post-Brexit seasonal labor migration scheme has been marred by claims of exploitative practices.

October 31, 2024

Halloween: A Time To Ask What Truly Scares Us

By Aisyah Llewellyn
While not being native to Southeast Asia, analogues to the the American holiday exist in many parts of the region.
September 04, 2024

Indonesians Rejoice as Pope Francis Visits

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The Indonesian public have been taken with the pontiff since his arrival in the country, the first visit to Indonesia by a Pope in 35 years.

August 14, 2024

Would You Pay Someone To Write Your University Thesis?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
In Indonesia, the use of "joki," or writers-for-hire, is a long-standing – and mostly normalized – practice among university students.

August 01, 2024

Hit Netflix Series Offers an Authentic Depiction of Life in Indonesia

By Aisyah Llewellyn
Despite its sci-fi spin, the Indonesian series “Nightmares and Daydreams” offers acute social commentary on a number of issues facing the country.

July 11, 2024

Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
Late last month, 16 senior JI figures announced the group's dissolution, and said they were “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia's progress and dignity.”
June 12, 2024

Art Imitates Life in Indonesian Horror Film – But is Anyone Entertained?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The hit film “Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari” drew its inspiration from the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 2016, prompting accusations of bad taste.

May 28, 2024

Jemaah Islamiyah Is Not Back After Malaysia Attack

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The recent attack on a police station in Johor State bears all the hallmarks of a lone-wolf attack.

May 22, 2024

Indonesia’s Horror Scene Is Booming. Can It Conquer The International Market?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
Local horror films have topped the domestic box office, but translating that appeal to international markets is not straightforward.

May 15, 2024

Serial Has a New Guantanamo Podcast, but Is Anyone Listening?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The podcast's latest series examines the history of the detention camp, where around 30 people, including Indonesian and Malaysian nationals, remain incarcerated.

April 24, 2024

Australia’s (Alleged) Mushroom Murders Raise the Question of How Women Kill

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The case of Erin Patterson, who has been charged with poisoning four relatives of her ex-husband, has transfixed the country.
April 03, 2024

Does a Ship’s Flag Matter?

By Aisyah Llewellyn
The container ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge flew a Singaporean flag, but this is unlikely to play much of a role in the complex legal case to come.

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