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A woman sings patriotic songs of the Soviet Union during a march near the Kremlin with pro-Communist demonstrators in downtown Moscow, Russia during May Day celebrations, May 2001.

A woman sings patriotic songs of the Soviet Union during a march near the Kremlin with pro-Communist demonstrators in downtown Moscow, Russia during May Day celebrations, May 2001. © Oleg Nikishin/Newsmakers

Back to the USSR? Memory Wars in the South Caucasus

Kremlin narratives have co-opted history and propagated a distorted memory of the Soviet past.

The Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to introduce controls over the screening of audio-visual materials during festivals, conferences and trainings, in a move that rights’ groups consider a further restriction of basic freedoms.

The Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to introduce controls over the screening of audio-visual materials during festivals, conferences and trainings, in a move that rights’ groups consider a further restriction of basic freedoms. © Aneta Pawlik/Unsplash

Kyrgyzstan Mulls Mandatory Licenses for all Video Content

Warning that draft resolution that foresees the introduction of blanket oversight could violate country’s constitution.

In the border town of Kozacha Lopan, in the Kharkiv region, police discovered a jail that they believe Russian soldiers used as a torture chamber.

In the border town of Kozacha Lopan, in the Kharkiv region, police discovered a jail that they believe Russian soldiers used as a torture chamber. © Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Ukraine: Investigating Torture

As criminal cases mount, a pattern emerges as to who was targeted for inhumane treatment.

A woman walks by in the city of Chernihiv on November 28, 2022 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. The Chernihiv region found itself on the frontline of Russia's invasion in February, when Moscow's forces were attempting to quickly seize Kyiv.

A woman walks by in the city of Chernihiv on November 28, 2022 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. The Chernihiv region found itself on the frontline of Russia's invasion in February, when Moscow's forces were attempting to quickly seize Kyiv. © Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Russian Sentenced to Life for Shooting Car Carrying Civilians

Soldier killed one passenger, while the others pretended to be dead and survived.

Ukraine Justice Briefing

Tuesday, 9 May ‘23

This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.

A journalist runs as smoke rises behind after a bombardment in Bakhmut, Eastern Ukraine.

A journalist runs as smoke rises behind after a bombardment in Bakhmut, Eastern Ukraine. © Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images

World Press Freedom Day 2023

Celebrating Achievements, Recognising Threats and Recommitting to the Effort

The free and healthy function of the media has never been more important, or hard fought for.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and close collaborators meet on February 26, 2022 in front of a large screen tuned on United News, the joint information telethon, which was launched at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and close collaborators meet on February 26, 2022 in front of a large screen tuned on United News, the joint information telethon, which was launched at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. © Volodymy Zelensky’s official Facebook

World Press Freedom Day 2023

Has Ukraine’s News Telethon Impacted Media Freedom?

Since the start of the war, TV stations have combined forces to produce a single informational resource.

Demonstrators in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi taped their mouths on March 6 to protest against a draft law that would have required NGOs and media organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their annual funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents”. Labelled as an attack on free expression and legitimate civic activism, the law was dropped.

Demonstrators in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi taped their mouths on March 6 to protest against a draft law that would have required NGOs and media organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their annual funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents”. Labelled as an attack on free expression and legitimate civic activism, the law was dropped. © Gvantsa Seturidze

World Press Freedom Day 2023

Georgia: "I have never felt as exposed to threats"

A worsening media environment and rising physical and professional threats have left many feeling unsafe.

Tajik journalists near Kokhi Somon, the presidential residence, in Dushanbe in July 2021. Journalists and rights groups say that the space for independent media in Tajikistan is shrinking as criminal cases against reporters are on the rise, fostering self-censorship and democracy backsliding.

Tajik journalists near Kokhi Somon, the presidential residence, in Dushanbe in July 2021. Journalists and rights groups say that the space for independent media in Tajikistan is shrinking as criminal cases against reporters are on the rise, fostering self-censorship and democracy backsliding. © IWPR Central Asia

World Press Freedom Day 2023

Tajikistan’s Turn of the Screw Against Media

Crackdown has turned journalism into a dangerous profession in the Central Asian nation.

Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia

CABAR logo

THIS WEEK ON CABAR.ASIA

Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.

The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan is causing water shortages in southern Uzbekistan, while in Kyrgyzstan the government is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant. In Kazakstan, conservation activists are working to save the Central Asian tortoise from extinction.

Elsewhere, CABAR delves into the efforts by Central Asian authorities to detect, reduce and prevent statelessness across the region.

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A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles.

A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles. © Roman Pilipey/Getty Images

Ukraine Justice: “Reporting the Story is Just the Start”

Journalists need training and support to properly cover war crimes trials.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region. © Luke Dray/Getty Images

International Migrants Day

Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation

Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.

Ukraine War Diary by A. Borden

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?

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years.

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years. © Umut Akar

Behind the Wheel in a Macho City

Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist. © Anahit Zakaryan

Life in the Shadows for Armenia’s Transgender Community

Recent murder highlights widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI people.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. © Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

The Israel-Hamas Conflict

Interview: The War on Disinformation

Open source intelligence (OSINT) can provide facts – but impatient, angry audiences often prefer opinions.

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