Zhanar Sekerbayeva, a co-founder of the Kazakhstan-based feminist organization Feminita, was arrested on February 28. Just a few days later, on March 3, another feminist activist, Aktorgyn Akkenzhebalasy was detained. Both were accused of participating in a peaceful protest in 2024 demanding life imprisonment for former Economy Minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev,Continue Reading
In collaboration with Amnesty International, this episode focuses on the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe that the global community seems unable or unwilling to address: the plight of the women of Afghanistan. Host Tusher Shetty speaks to Catherine Putz, managing editor at The Diplomat, as well as Dr. Isabelle Lassee, deputy directorContinue Reading
Six years ago, in the backdrop of a suicide bombing attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama district that killed at least 40 Indian security forces, a recording of a call, purported to be between a top Indian minister and a senior functionary of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and an unidentifiedContinue Reading
What started as an ordinary game night for young employees of a rising media company turned into a shocking police raid – sparking a nationwide outcry for press freedom in Mongolia. On the night of March 17, eight employees of Noorog Creative Studio, a digital media outlet known for itsContinue Reading
Japan’s recent decision to halt funding for the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has drawn significant attention. The move comes in response to CEDAW’s recommendation that Japan amend its male-only imperial succession law to “guarantee the equality of women and menContinue Reading
Yesterday, Cambodia’s pugnacious former Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his support and appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut off federal funding to U.S.-funded broadcasters including Radio Free Asia (RFA). In a post on his Facebook page accompanied by photos of himself with Trump taken at an ASEANContinue Reading
China’s marriage rate is in steep decline. There were 6.1 million marriage registrations nationwide in 2024, down from 7.7 million the previous year. This decline has prompted Chen Songxi, a Chinese national political adviser, to propose lowering the legal marriage age from 22 to 18. The drop in China’s marriageContinue Reading
As conflict escalates in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remains as dire as ever. Recent developments – including the Arakan Army’s decision to ban the term “Rohingya” in areas under its control, dwindling food aid for refugees in Bangladesh, and shifting geopolitical stances – areContinue Reading
Language has a strange place in the intangible cultural heritage safeguarding efforts of Chinese governments and UNESCO. Languages themselves are not recognized on UNESCO’s lists nor are there specific plans for their safeguarding. However, the linguistic expressions of different groups are available for safeguarding, and other traditions are often taught andContinue Reading
On March 13, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te accused China of a malign influence campaign to subvert Taiwan’s democracy and autonomy. In recent months, Taiwan has also been riven by a brewing constitutional crisis, political polarization, and even legislative brawls between Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT)Continue Reading
