Tuesday, 28 November ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Harsh Victory at Position X
Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?
Rose Revolution Still Haunts Georgia
The political upheaval of 2003 was a seminal moment in the country’s history, but its legacy is up for debate.
Ukraine: Justice on the Frontlines
Kharkiv investigators bring skills, technology and perseverance to the risky task of documenting war crimes.
Tuesday, 21 November ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Russian Paratrooper Faces New Charges for Abusing Civilians
Major accused of brutal treatment in Bucha in addition to similar offences in Irpin during March 2022.
How Women Market Traders are Revitalising Village Life in Izmir
Female entrepreneurship has boosted the local economy and is passing cultural heritage to future generations.
Behind the Wheel in a Macho City
Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.
The New Wave of Female Stand-ups
Despite the sexist attitudes faced by women who take up comedy, a growing number are fighting back.
World Press Freedom Day 2024
On World Press Freedom Day we focus on local journalists facing myriad challenges in the tireless pursuit of truth and their enduring efforts to bring meaningful change.
Highlights from IWPR’s Consortium to Support Independent Journalism in Latin America (CAPIR).
An investigation by ContraCorriente, one of the investigative units IWPR supports in Honduras, revealed abuses including robbery, torture and kidnappings allegedly inflicted on citizens by police officers. The investigation also addressed how the state of emergency, in place since 2022, has allowed these abuses to occur with impunity. The authorities deny responsibility, claiming that organised criminal groups are using replica uniforms to pose as police officers.
A transnational publication by the investigative units of Plaza Pública and Criterio media revealed the huge extent of Asian cigarette smuggling in northern Central America. In addition to the health problems and millions of dollars lost to tax evasion, this also finances organised crime trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans. The investigation highlighted the failure of institutional efforts to stop this problem, aggravated by the complicity of officials who help falsify documents.
A story by the IWPR beneficiaries Guardiana and La Nube media outlets revealed the unauthorised sale of "medical preparations" to treat mental illnesses such as depression in a market in Cochabamba, one of Bolivia's largest cities. The story showed how products were marketed without information about their ingredients, including unlicensed natural remedies from Peru and Brazil. In response, the Cochabamba department of health announced it would increase the number of police operatives in the market where these products are sold.
Central Asia: Could Covid-19 Fuel Autocracy?
Expert event explores the impact on regional development and democracy.
Syria: Female Prisoners Speak Out
“It is not fair for us to face injustice both inside and outside prison.”
Central Asia and Covid-19
Panel event will focus on the pandemic’s effect on regional cooperation with Russia, debt and aid distribution.
China's Post-Covid-19 Plans for Central Asia
Online event looks at how pandemic will affect future economic interests in the region.
Syria: Special Needs Activists Campaign for Covid-19 Awareness
IWPR partners move efforts online to meet the challenge of the pandemic.
Iraqi Champions Fight Coronavirus Crisis
Social media campaigners raise awareness and encourage resilience in meeting Covid-19 challenge.
Russia's Prisoners-of-War
Discussion raises shared challenges faced by those in occupied territories.
Pushing Boundaries and Inspiring Change
Showcasing positive role models encourages young women to pursue their dreams.
Libya: We Are Pioneers
IWPR project highlights success stories and challenges preconceptions.
Ukraine Justice Report
Countering Disinformation in Moldova
Ukraine War Diary by Anthony Borden
Democratic accountability comes from journalists investigating their own societies – IWPR provides a much needed platform and support for those reporting from some of the most dangerous and difficult places in the world.
Disinformation is a major global threat , especially in conflict and post-conflict areas. IWPR performs a vital mission, building up local voices as a bulwark against this challenge.
IWPR fills a critical gap by helping local journalists to focus on human rights and justice issues. In the process, it contributes to democratic transitions, and demonstrates that the best war reporting is not about military conflict, but human consequences.