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IWPR Insight

IWPR Insight feature showcases IWPR’s regional expertise, with our team of journalists around the world providing in-depth and original perspectives on news and issues affecting IWPR programme areas.

Fading Hopes of Transitional Justice in Afghanistan

Noorrahman Rahmani

The recent IWPR film “The Forgotten Victims”  highlights the issue of transitional justice in Afghanistan. IWPR Afghanistan country director  Noorrahman Rahmani discusses the traumas of past conflicts, and whether there is any hope of the victims securing some kind of justice.

Taylor Verdict Adds Impetus to ICC Efforts

Simon Jennings

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor was convicted of war crimes this week by the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone, SCSL. Simon Jennings, IWPR’s Africa editor, looks at the trial and its significance.

International Justice - ICC

Kabul Attacks Raise Big Security Questions

Noorrahman Rahmani

Afghan insurgents hit Kabul with a wave of attacks on April 15, targeting foreign embassies, parliament and NATO headquarters. Attacks also took place in other provinces. IWPR Afghanistan country director Noorrahman Rahmani discusses the impact of one of the fiercest outbreaks of violence the capital has seen in the last ten years.

Kandahar Killings Stir Anti-American Fury

Noorrahman Rahmani

The killing of 16 civilians by an American soldier in southern Afghanistan has caused outrage, especially following an incident in which copies of the Koran were burned at the Bagram air base last month. IWPR Afghanistan country director Noorrahman Rahmani explains the likely implications of the March 11 shootings, and considers whether there is much Washington can do to assuage Afghan anger.

China Reaps Rewards of Central Asian Investment

Saule Mukhametrakhimova

Turkmen gas supplies to China reached over 20 billion cubic metres last month, more than two-thirds the target volume for the end of 2012. IWPR Central Asia editor Saule Mukhametrakhimova looks at the implications of Chinese investment in Central Asian energy.

Central Asia

Picking a Winner in Turkmenistan

Inga Sikorskaya

Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov is standing for a second term on February 12. Since the outcome is a foregone conclusion, IWPR asked Inga Sikorskaya, senior editor for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to explain why Berdymuhammedov is even bothering to campaign, why he has invited candidates to oppose him, and why he has promised to allow more than the current one political party to exist.
 

Central Asia

Tunisia’s Chaotic Transition

Marwan Maalouf

A year on from the uprising in Tunisia which sparked a wave of unrest across the Arab world, IWPR Tunisian project director Marwan Maalouf looks at the challenges still facing the country. Elections resulted in the Islamist Ennahda party leading a coalition government, but Tunisia’s future direction remains unclear.
 

The Arab Spring

Is Iraqi Media Law a Step Forward?

Hazim al-Sharaa

Iraq’s new media law, the product of several years of debate, is supposed to protect journalists, but it has been the subject of much controversy. Hazim al-Sharaa, an IWPR editor in Iraq, looks at why some fear the legislation will restrict rather than enhance freedom of speech.
 

Iraq

Simmering Tensions Boil Over in Kazakstan

Saule Mukhametrakhimova

A state of emergency is in place in the western Kazakstan town of Janaozen, where 14 people died when police opened fire on protesting oil workers on December 16.  IWPR Central Asia editor Saule Mukhametrakhimova explains the backdrop to the protests, and how the authorities are handling the crisis.
 

Central Asia

Bahraini Government Must Act on Hard-Hitting Report

Mariwan

In November 2011, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry released a 500-page report into human rights abuses committed during demonstrations in the spring. Daniella Peled talks to Mariwan Hama-Saeed of Human Rights Watch about the commission's hard-hitting account, and what it means for Bahrain.

The Arab Spring