Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from August, 2021
Employees of Hungarian-owned TV in North Macedonia conduct partial strike over unpaid salaries
Since 2018, money funneled through Hungarian companies have bolstered media peddling populist propaganda in Slovenia and North Macedonia.
Russian court issues bigger fines to social media companies for breaching data localization rules
The data localization law, adopted in 2015, requires all internet companies processing Russian users' data to store such data on servers physically located inside Russia.
Woman breaks record for lying down at resting contest in Montenegro
After 117 hours lying down — with bathroom breaks — the victor came away with a new understanding of how hard it is to lie down.
Ukraine: 30 years in pursuit of equality
As the Ukrainian government celebrates 30 years of independence, the reality is that, for many, independence has not brought the prosperity they were promised.
Hydrogen: Savior or boondoggle for Russia?
The Kremlin takes a reactive approach to developing a hydrogen fuel industry capable of competing on European markets.
Blogger gets prison sentence for branding Kazakhstan's language policies “russophobic”
According to Taichimbekov, the Kazakh state has been "sourcing Russian individuals who speak out in favor of banning Russian television, banning Russian language, excluding it from the Constitution."
More independent media added to Russia's “foreign agent” roster
"As for the list of foreign agents, by now it has so many decent people and publications on it that not to be on this list is simply indecent."
With attacks on Ukrainian activists on the rise, civic pressure is key to ensuring justice
Harassment and attacks against civic activists in Ukraine are on the rise, say human rights defenders. Anti-corruption work, environmentalism, and LGBT rights remain the most dangerous spheres of activism.
Russian authorities declare independent election monitor Golos a “foreign agent”
Golos has vowed to continue training Russian citizens as observers and commissioners at polling stations, and said it believes independent citizen observation is key to ensuring a transparent election.
Supporting witnesses: First step towards ending impunity for war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina
"What is often overlooked is the most important precursor to ending impunity: a secure environment in which survivors can testify, free from intimidation, severe retraumatization, and threats of physical harm."
Queer resilience and activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
"Since the 2019 Pride March, queer activists have observed a changing political, legal, and social environment, and have achieved some key successes."
Belarus court labels independent media outlets Tut.by, Zerkalo.io as ‘extremist’
The ruling applies to every single piece of content on the Tut.by and Zerkalo.io websites, as well as to all content posted on their social media channels.
Dealing with the legacy of wartime sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
More than one-third of all individuals brought before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, set up to prosecute war crimes, "were convicted on charges of sexual violence."
Ukrainian library reinvents itself for a New Age
A youth library in Kherson shows the way to thriving in uncertain times as an educational and literary hub for the local community and wider region.
Wildfires rampaging through North Macedonia are destroying remaining forests
In response to wildfires ravaging throughout North Macedonia, the government mobilized the the army for firefighting, and imposed complete ban on movement in forest areas, declaring a state of crisis.
Missing Belarusian activist found dead in Ukraine
Shyshou, who left Belarus in the autumn of 2020 fearing state persecution, founded the Belarusian House in Ukraine, an organisation supporting Belarusian citizens fleeing regime persecution.
Belarusian sprinter sent home from Olympics by Belarusian officials says she will ask for asylum
24-year-old Krystsina Tsimanouskaya said she was not worried about being kicked off the national team, but was afraid she would be imprisoned once she arrived in Belarus.
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