Brunei’s Civic Freedoms Under Scrutiny

Brunei's civic space is rated as repressed, with limited freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. The Sultan, holding absolute power since 1984, governs under a state of emergency, restricting rights such as free speech and press freedom through laws like the Sedition Act and the Undesirable Publications Act. The country also criminalizes defamation and restricts [...]

Repression in Eritrea

Eritrea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world. Since gaining independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki has ruled without elections, a ratified constitution, or political opposition. The country has no freedom of press or expression, with media tightly controlled and independent journalists often jailed or disappeared. Religious freedom is severely restricted—only four [...]

Saudi Arabia Frees Some, But Repression of Political Dissent Continues

In Saudi Arabia, political prisoners continue to face harsh repression despite the recent release of some detainees. Dozens of individuals remain imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights to free expression, association, and belief. High-profile figures like cleric Salman al-Odah, lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, and aid worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan are among those still held. Many [...]

Türkiye’s Crackdown On Opposition And Journalists

Türkish photojournalist Yasin Akgul was arrested at home by police on 23 March’2025 as part of mass anti-government demonstrations that followed opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's detention. Akgul, a veteran photographer, was photographing the unrest. He has been accused of attending unauthorized rallies and is sure that the target is journalists covering the demonstrations. Several freelance [...]

Türkiye’s Growing Anti-Government Protests

The protests in Türkiye, sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March 2025, have turned into a major movement demanding democracy and justice. İmamoğlu was arrested on charges of corruption, which most people think were politically driven because he was perceived as President Erdoğan's possible rival. Despite a severe crackdown by the [...]

Longstanding State Of Emergency In Brunei And Its Impact

Brunei has been in a state of unbroken emergency since 1962, after the Brunei Revolt, which was prompted by resistance to the planned creation of Malaysia and desires for an independent North Kalimantan. In response to the revolt, a state of emergency was declared by the Sultan, who dissolved the legislative council and took complete [...]

Afghan Women Face Imminent Return As Scholarships End

Over 80 Afghan women, who fled the Taliban to pursue higher education in Oman, now face imminent return to Afghanistan after their scholarships were abruptly terminated. These women were pursuing graduate and post-graduate courses under the Women's Scholarship Endowment (WSE), a USAID program that started in 2018. It provided scholarships for Afghan women to study [...]

Migrant Workers In UAE

The UAE’s kafala system gives employers excessive control over migrant workers, limiting their job mobility and enabling abuses like wage theft, illegal fees, and passport confiscation. Workers are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to insufficient protection, and domestic workers face severe exploitation, including violence and confinement. Despite legal reforms, protections for domestic workers are inadequate. [...]

Media Freedom In Uzbekistan

Media freedom in Uzbekistan saw a brief period of expansion early in Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s presidency, raising hopes for greater press independence. However, this was followed by a swift regression, marked by crackdowns on critical journalists and bloggers. Increasing censorship and harassment have limited independent reporting, undermining public accountability. The regime has shown intolerance toward dissenting [...]

Media Crackdown In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has intensified its crackdown on media, arresting several journalists, including staff from the independent Meydan TV, which has been targeted for its critical reporting. These arrests, including charges of smuggling foreign currency, are widely seen as retaliation for the journalists' work on human rights and government corruption. International organizations like Reporters Without Borders and [...]

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)
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