Topic
Society

Analyzing the State of Afghan Journalism
By Hasmat Vejdani and Amit Kumar
The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile reports that the return of the Taliban has led to a substantial reduction in activity among Afghanistan’s once-vibrant media.

ICC Should Prosecute Taliban for Crimes Against Humanity for Denying Girls Education: UN Envoy
By Edith M Lederer
Fifty-four of the 80 edicts issued by the Taliban explicitly target women and girls and dismantle their rights.

Renewed Debates over the Safety of Lorry Rides for Singapore’s Migrant Workers
By Robin Vochelet
A recent series of road accidents has once again raised questions about the treatment of the city-state's large population of foreign laborers.

Interview: Life Under Taliban Rule for Afghan Women
By Shannon Tiezzi
A woman’s right advocate based in Afghanistan voices an urgent plea: “Be our voice to recognize the gender apartheid in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.”

The Tyranny of Fear in Tajikistan
By Catherine Putz
“Every arrest, case of torture, extrajudicial killing and kidnapping sends a signal to journalists, activists, community leaders and lawyers about the cost of challenging the regime.”

Domestic Workers in Indonesia Call for Passage of Long-delayed Protection Bill
By Sebastian Strangio
The Domestic Worker Protection Bill was first proposed in 2004, but has been stuck in legislative limbo ever since.

2 Karakalpak Activists Denied Asylum in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
The two men – and three other detained Karakalpak activists – face the potential of being deported to Uzbekistan should their appeals fail.

Indonesian Protesters Begin Hunger Strike as Bill to Protect Domestic Workers Stalls in Parliament
By Niniek Karmini
Lawmakers first proposed a bill to protect domestic workers in 2004 to address issues of discrimination, abuse, and humiliation. Since then, it has been updated but always eventually set aside.

The Roots of Northeast India’s Ethnic Turmoil
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
The drive to maintain their identity and avoid assimilation is strong among the region’s tribal and ethnic groups.

2 Years After Fall of Kabul, Tens of Thousands of Afghans Languish in Limbo Waiting for US Visas
By Rahim Faiez and Rebecca Santana
Worried about reprisals, many Afghans destroyed documents during the Taliban takeover. Now they need those documents to prove their case.

Malaysia Threatens Prison for Possession of LGBTQ-Themed Swatch Watches
By Sebastian Strangio
The ban comes in the midst of a conservative culture war that has targeted the country's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

Did One of Indonesia’s Top Cops Just Evade Justice?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
Ferdy Sambo, the former head of the police's internal affairs division, this week evaded the death sentence for the high-profile murder of his aide-de-camp last year.