Human Rights

G7’s Alternative To China’s BRI Faces Obstacles

The global infrastructure plan announced by G7 leaders aims to offer developing nations a credible alternative to China's much-criticised Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – but it faces major hurdles on the ground, especially if Beijing's hiccups are any indication. United States (US) President Joe Biden was able to convince the G7 to sign onto the initiative, drawing allies into Washington's strategic rivalry with Beijing, under a plan titled, "Build Back Better Wo

17 June 2021
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US, Human Rights And Israel’s War On Palestine

Israel’s attempt to justify its latest brutal assault on Gaza rings hollow to anybody familiar with events in Israel, where the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, backed by anti-Arab racists, has systematically, cruelly, and persistently violated the basic human rights of the Arab population. Human Rights Watch (HRW), a global non-governmental organisation (NGO) with many Jewish leaders, has recently condemned Israel for crimes against humanity.

26 May 2021
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Vietnam's Gay Parliament Candidate Seeks Change

As an LGBTQ activist, legal whizz-kid and Vietnam's first openly gay candidate running for a seat in its rubber-stamp parliament, Luong The Huy is determined to lead long-lasting change for the country's marginalised communities. Huy, 32, is one of just nine independent candidates running for Vietnam's National Assembly in elections to be held across the country on Sunday and wants to boost the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, who have long fel

21 May 2021
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More Will Die If ASEAN Looks The Other Way

Her friends called her Ah Khu. Born in Falam, close to the north-western border with India, she spoke many of the ethnic languages of Myanmar. As a child, Ah Khu moved from place to place following her father’s postings as a civil servant.

6 April 2021
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China's “Wolf Warriors” Howl At Xinjiang Critics

China's "wolf warrior" diplomats are back after a brief lull, firing insults over Twitter, smearing critics and suggesting conspiracies.The hyperactivity of these envoys follows renewed global pressure over Beijing's treatment of the Muslim Uyghur minority in China's Xinjiang region.Here are five things to know about wolf warriors:The term "wolf warrior diplomacy" became common parlance in 2019, when Chinese envoys – most prominently, spokesman Zhao Lijian –

5 April 2021
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China Laughs Off EU’s Uighur Genocide Protest

Mention the Boxer Rebellion nowadays, and most people in the west would look baffled. Not so the Chinese, who have longer memories.They have not forgotten the invasion launched in 1900 by the United States (US), Britain, Germany, France and other members of the Eight-Nation Alliance to suppress the anti-foreigner, anti-missionary uprising.

29 March 2021
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Is The US Embassy The Best Place To Protest?

One month ago, in Myanmar, protesters against the military coup gathered around the United States (US) embassy in Yangon. They called on President Joe Biden to make the generals go back to their barracks and free Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a big victory in the 2020 general election, which is why the generals, afraid of losing their privileges, seized power. But is the US embassy the best place to protest?

6 March 2021
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Countries Increase Pressure On Myanmar Generals

Myanmar's generals came under increased diplomatic pressure Thursday over the coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi, as India joined the United States (US) and other countries in calling for a restoration of democracy, and Britain and Canada announced sanctions against the junta.As the ruling generals pressed on with a drive to stymie nationwide opposition, Myanmar's giant neighbour India called in a joint statement along with the US, Japan and Australia - all members of the so-called

19 February 2021
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Tackling Indonesia’s Poverty With Palm Oil

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation, and 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, has made enormous gains in poverty reduction – cutting the poverty rate by more than half since 1999, to 9.78 percent in 2020. Nevertheless, out of a population of 270.2 million, an estimated 26.42 million Indonesians still live below the poverty line.

16 February 2021
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