Singapore maintains a strict permit system that requires citizens to obtain official government approval before holding public protests. Human rights advocates and observers point out that this approach effectively criminalizes peaceful expressions of dissent and raises questions about the balance between public order and civil liberties.
Experts point out that behind the dry figures of Turkish prison statistics lie the real stories of inmates. This makes it possible to talk not only about the scale of the problem, but also about specific human rights violations.
A year after the mass Gen Z protests in Nepal, participants continue to face physical, emotional and financial consequences. Questions of justice and accountability for what happened remain unanswered.
A student movement in Thailand has launched a theatrical project called "Theatre of Hope," in which young activists use stage art to express protest against authoritarian practices in education and society. The productions touch on themes of freedom of speech and the right to question teachers and authority in general.
Protests are spreading across Tunisia, with demonstrators demanding job creation, regional development, and improved living conditions. The social unrest is increasingly taking on a political character.
In Melbourne, a pair of peregrine falcons that have made their home 34 floors up in one of the city's buildings have become the subject of round-the-clock online broadcasting. Viewers will be able to watch the chicks hatch and be raised right above the noisy streets of the metropolis.
A journalist from Myanmar, forced to work in exile after the military coup, speaks about her mission to report the truth and reflect public sentiment amid censorship and persecution. She emphasizes that the greatest source of satisfaction in the profession comes from the real benefit journalistic work brings to people.
The EndSARS protests against police brutality left a deep mark on the political consciousness of young Nigerians. For some, they became an incentive for active participation in elections and civic engagement; for others, a source of fear and disillusionment with the system.
Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in mob violence incidents, fueled by impunity, weak law enforcement, and incitement on social media. Experts point to the failure of state institutions to respond effectively to such incidents and ensure justice.
Since the 1950s, Europe's human rights protection system has gradually strengthened guarantees of freedom of assembly and political protest. In practice, however, exercising this right increasingly comes with financial, legal, and social costs for those who take part in demonstrations.
A new piece examines how leaders in the US and other countries are using the rhetoric of "protest equals terrorism" to suppress civil actions. The authors analyze examples of legislative and political initiatives aimed against protest movements.
In the countries of the Central Sahel, military juntas claim to be restoring popular sovereignty while simultaneously dissolving political parties. More than a thousand civil society organizations have had their activities suspended.
Experts note that Beijing is transplanting its 'west-east' model into Xinjiang: the region supplies energy and labor for artificial intelligence computing power. Meanwhile, issues of forced labor and surveillance of the Uyghur population continue to go unaddressed by authorities.
As part of Global Voices' September 'Protest in Democracy' feature, community members share examples of protest music from various countries — both past and present. The piece is a collaborative article bringing together voices and stories from around the world.
Cambodia's law on peaceful assembly formally permits demonstrations only in specially designated "freedom parks." In practice, authorities are increasingly restricting and banning even such approved rallies, which critics call a tool for suppressing the right to protest.
Following another severe forest fire season, Indonesian authorities have established a new agency to protect peatlands, though experts doubt its approach will differ from the unsuccessful efforts of a decade ago.
read at Mongabay ↗
On September 24, Giraldo Alayón García, known as the Cuban "Spider-Man," passed away after devoting decades to studying and classifying Cuba's spiders and scorpions. Thanks to his research, the island's little-studied fauna received detailed scientific description.
read at Mongabay ↗
Four communities of the Wounaan and Emberá-Wounaan peoples in Panama's Darién forest have launched a biodiversity monitoring project to counter illegal logging and the expansion of farmland, recording more than 200 species across an area of over 18,000 hectares.
read at Mongabay ↗
Former hostage Emily Damari, who was held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023, shared previously unseen photos from her captivity and stated that she considers the very fact of her survival to be a real miracle.
read at The Jerusalem Post ↗
A specialist who previously worked in journalism spoke about her shift to combating online violence in Armenia. According to her, digital violence is often disguised as care, attention, or love, which makes it difficult for victims to recognize.
Since early August and throughout September, dozens of informal traders in Haiti have been holding protests demanding that authorities protect them from gang groups. The vendors say they can no longer work amid constant violence and threats from armed gangs.
Approximately 97% of US Army soldiers have undergone testing using the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT). This helps medical specialists identify and address the effects of blast wave exposure on service members' brains.
About 600 mid-level military personnel and officers gathered on the Pentagon parade ground for a joint morning workout with Defense Department head Pete Hegseth. Hegseth stated that he wants to communicate directly with personnel and hear their opinions.
The U.S. Navy initiative to provide free high-speed internet to all buildings housing single service members is 90% complete. As of November 2025, the service has been connected in 865 out of 962 buildings worldwide.