Stories about East Asia from December, 2023
Cyberbullying hinders women’s participation in Indonesia’s 2024 elections
"Online attacks ramp up during elections which now also involve cyber troops running campaigns in the digital world and targeting women."
After a year in power, Malaysia’s Madani government falters on reform agenda
"The current government still attempts to restrict alternate views and the independence of media through the use of law and arbitrary practices."
How one artist is attempting to change Hong Kong’s work culture
Luke Ching’s art attempts to inspire low-income workers to carry on the labour rights movement in their everyday lives.
The invisible labor cost of famous clothing brands in Thailand
"Making demands was like banging your head against the wall. It was pointless, because we got nothing."
In Hong Kong, bedbug infestations are a neglected nightmare for the poor
Bedbugs have caused a lot of suffering for low-income families in Hong Kong, but the long-standing issue has failed to capture people’s attention as much as foreign outbreaks.
Hong Kong embraces televised confessions of political prisoners
"It is the same kind of propaganda: the court’s ruling is justified and reasonable, and look, he himself confessed it. How would the National Security Judge wrong a good person?
Hong Kong: Subscribers of overseas activists’ blogs and channels face legal threat
Government adviser Ronny Tong said those who subscribe to content created by "wanted individuals" could be considered culpable under the National Security Law.
How Indonesia’s ‘illiberal cyberlaw’ undermines free speech and human rights
"We regret that the Indonesian Parliament has passed the amendment to the ITE Law, which contains problematic articles that undermine freedom of expression and freedom of the press."
Filipino academics and civil society groups express support for Palestinian cause
"We support our Palestinian brothers and sisters in their rightful and just cause for peace and self-determination."
Hong Kong’s ‘patriot-only’ district council elections see record-low voter turnout
Activist groups interpret the low turnout as a denunciation of China’s repressive policy in Hong Kong.
Amid economic downturn, Hong Kong is dubbed ‘a relic’ of an international financial center
Hong Kong has had a significant economic downturn over the last three years, correlating with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and adoption of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law.
Myanmar’s ‘Spring Revolution’ in the United States
"The overwhelming support, protests and political education of the overseas Burmese community for the Spring Revolution has been critical to our victories."
Hong Kong protest leader Agnes Chow skips bail and leaves the city for good
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow broke her silence and announced that she would not return to the city in December, thereby violating the Hong Kong police's bail conditions.
From Hun Sen to Hun Manet: The worrying state of free speech in Cambodia
"Targeting journalists — particularly those who are reporting on human rights topics — undermines freedoms of expression and the press, which threatens the public’s access to information."
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