Nicaragua, China, and India Among Countries Targeting Dissidents with Mobility Controls

A new Freedom House report has exposed a troubling global trend: at least 55 governments have systematically curtailed the freedom of movement for individuals deemed as threats or dissenters over the past decade. This sweeping report, released Thursday, details how nations employ various tactics—travel bans, revocation of citizenship, and denial of consular services—to silence and control those who challenge their authority.

Among the most notorious offenders are Belarus, China, India, Nicaragua, Russia, and Rwanda. These countries, the report reveals, have increasingly resorted to these methods to stifle criticism and suppress dissent. Jessica White, the London-based co-author of the report, describes this as “a vindictive and punitive tactic” aimed at choking off free expression and mobility.

The report highlights travel bans as the most prevalent strategy, with at least 40 governments preventing their citizens from leaving or re-entering their countries. This tactic is employed to isolate critics and restrict their ability to engage with the outside world.

freedomhouse.org

Revoking citizenship is another severe measure, despite its violation of international law. The Nicaraguan government, for example, stripped over 200 political prisoners of their nationality in 2023, shortly after deporting them to the United States. Among them was Juan Lorenzo Holmann, the head of Nicaragua’s oldest newspaper, La Prensa. Holmann, who spent 545 days imprisoned under politically charged circumstances, lamented, “It is as if I do not exist anymore. It is another attack on my human rights.”

Blocking access to passports and other travel documents adds another layer of repression. In June, Hong Kong canceled the passports of six pro-democracy activists living in Britain, trapping them in exile. Similarly, Myanmar’s embassy in Berlin has refused to renew the passport of Ma Thida, a Burmese writer who believes the denial is a retaliatory act against her outspoken work.

These restrictions can severely disrupt lives, impacting individuals’ ability to work, travel, and maintain familial connections. The emotional toll of such separation is profound, according to White, who noted that many affected individuals experience significant psychological distress due to their inability to return home or see loved ones.

The report urges democratic nations to impose sanctions on those implementing such mobility controls and suggests that they should offer alternative travel documents to dissidents who cannot obtain them from their home countries. White stresses, “Our ability to freely leave and return to our home country is a fundamental human right, but it is being undermined and violated across many parts of the world.”

As the international community grapples with these revelations, the report serves as a stark reminder of the growing repression faced by many around the globe and the urgent need for global solidarity in defending fundamental freedoms.

USCIRF Report Highlights Severe Repression and Human Rights Violations Under Taliban Rule

Religious freedom in Afghanistan has seen a continuous and severe decline since the Taliban’s return to power, according to a report released by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). This independent federal government agency emphasized that the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islam has led to widespread repression, curtailing personal freedoms and targeting religious minorities and women.

Since the U.S.-led forces withdrew in August 2021, the Taliban have enforced extreme Islamic laws, dramatically restricting Afghan women’s participation in public life and imposing harsh penalties on perceived violations of Shariah law. The USCIRF report outlines the Taliban’s actions, which include silencing religious clerics, preventing religious minorities from observing their faith, and severely limiting the movement and education of women and girls.

The Taliban’s draconian measures have reintroduced corporal and capital punishment as standard practices, with public executions, lashings, and floggings becoming routine. Acts of public humiliation, such as forced head shaving, are also used to enforce compliance with their version of Islamic law.

Despite international outcry, the Taliban continue to justify these practices under their interpretation of Islamic principles. Recently, the Taliban-run Supreme Court announced the public flogging of a man and a woman in Kabul for an “illicit relationship,” with the woman receiving 32 lashes and the man 39. Since taking power, nearly 600 individuals, including women, have faced public floggings, drawing condemnation from the United Nations for breaching international human rights laws.

In a particularly egregious incident in June, more than 63 people, including 14 women, were flogged in a northern Afghan sports stadium after being convicted of homosexuality, adultery, and other so-called “immoral crimes.” Additionally, at least five individuals convicted of murder have been publicly executed under the Taliban’s retributive justice system, known as qisas.

The Taliban’s policies have made Afghanistan the only country where girls aged 12 and older are barred from attending secondary school. Female students are also prohibited from university education, and most women are banned from working in both public and private sectors, including for international organizations like the U.N.

The USCIRF has recommended that the U.S. designate Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, urging continued sanctions against Taliban officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom. The Taliban have consistently dismissed allegations of human rights abuses and discrimination against women as propaganda, insisting that their judicial system provides justice in line with the Quran and Shariah law.

Despite these denials, the international community, led by the United States, has refused to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government due to their harsh restrictions on women’s rights and other human rights abuses. The Taliban’s stance has isolated Afghanistan diplomatically, exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis.

The USCIRF’s report underscores the urgent need for international pressure to address the Taliban’s human rights violations and to support Afghan women and religious minorities facing unprecedented repression. The report calls for a concerted global effort to hold the Taliban accountable and to restore fundamental freedoms for all Afghans.

Amid Explosions and Controversy, Somali Women Defy Odds in Groundbreaking Beauty Pageant

On a night when most of Somalia tuned in to the Euro football final, a very different kind of spectacle unfolded at Mogadishu’s Elite Hotel. Hundreds gathered to witness the Miss Somalia pageant, a daring celebration of beauty and resilience in one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a woman. Just a kilometer away, the grim reality of Somali life was underscored by a car bomb explosion that killed five and injured twenty. The militant group al-Shabab, notorious for its reign of terror over Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The juxtaposition of a beauty pageant with such violence highlights the schizophrenic nature of life in Somalia. While pageant contestants paraded in glamorous gowns, the nearby explosion shattered the night, a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of terrorism. This contrast paints a vivid picture of a nation grappling with its identity and future.

Hani Abdi Gas, founded the competition in 2021. In a country where Islamist militants and conservative traditions dominate, her initiative is nothing short of revolutionary. Gas, who grew up in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya before returning to Somalia in 2020, sees the pageant as more than a beauty contest. It’s a platform for lifting women’s voices, fostering unity, and empowering Somali women.

Gas believes that Somalia, long deemed one of the worst places to be a woman, is ready to join the rest of the world in celebrating female beauty and aspiration. “I want to celebrate the aspirations of women from diverse backgrounds, build their confidence, and give them a chance to showcase Somali culture worldwide,” she said.

This year’s contestants reflected this diversity. Among them was a policewoman, a powerful symbol of women breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated society. However, not everyone was pleased. Many Somalis view beauty pageants as affronts to their culture and religion. Clan leader Ahmed Abdi Halane expressed disgust, saying, “Such things are against our culture and our religion. If a girl wears tight clothes and appears on stage, it will bring shame upon her family and her clan. Women are supposed to stay at home and wear modest clothes.”

Some women also oppose the pageant. Sabrina, a student, criticized the contestants for appearing in public without covering their necks, saying, “It is good to support the Somali youth but not in ways that conflict with our religion.”

Despite these criticisms, the pageant proceeded with its vibrant display of Somali culture. Aisha Ikow, a 24-year-old university student and make-up artist, was crowned Miss Somalia, taking home a $1,000 prize. Ikow, representing South-West state, vowed to use her platform to combat early marriage and promote girls’ education. “The competition celebrates Somali culture and beauty while shaping a brighter future for women,” she said.

The judging panel, which included Miss Somalia 2022 and a representative from the Ministry of Youth, found it hard to choose a winner. They assessed contestants on physical beauty, public speaking, and stage presence. An online vote, costing $1 per vote, funded the event and future international pageant participation.

The glitzy event in a luxury hotel contrasted sharply with the harsh realities faced by most Somali women. Four million Somalis, a quarter of the population, are internally displaced, with up to 80% being women. The UN ranks Somalia near the bottom on the Gender Inequality Index, with alarming rates of gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. Traditional practices still dictate that a rapist must marry his victim, and legal protections for women are severely lacking.

Despite these challenges, the Miss Somalia pageant signifies a slow but significant change. The fact that such an event could be held in Mogadishu, even amid nearby violence, indicates a shift in societal attitudes and an improvement in security.

The crowd at the Elite Hotel stayed until the early hours, undeterred by the attack’s proximity. They were engrossed in the pageant, the sound of the explosion drowned out by the waves crashing on the nearby beach.

In a nation torn by conflict and conservative values, the Miss Somalia pageant stands as a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the resilience of Somali women and their determination to carve out spaces of empowerment and celebration. As Somalia continues to navigate its complex identity, events like these are crucial in shaping a more inclusive and progressive future.

Kiin Hassan Fakat, reporting with Bilan Media, and Mary Harper, author of two books on Somalia, provide a lens into this transformative moment, capturing the courage and aspirations of Somali women amidst a backdrop of turmoil.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico is reportedly shot and injured following a government meeting, sparking concerns about political stability in the country.

By Kasim Abdulkadir:

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot and injured following a government meeting, according to reports from the TASR news agency. The incident has raised concerns about political stability in the country and has sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear, with conflicting reports emerging about the circumstances and motive behind the attack. Fico’s condition is currently unknown, and authorities are yet to provide official confirmation or further details regarding the incident.

The shooting comes at a delicate time for Slovakia, as the country grapples with internal political tensions and external challenges. Fico, a prominent political figure in Slovakia, has been a polarizing figure, with his leadership facing criticism from various quarters.

As news of the shooting spreads, there is widespread speculation about the potential implications for Slovakia’s political landscape and the stability of its government. Political leaders and citizens alike are expressing shock and concern over the incident, with calls for calm and unity in the face of uncertainty.

Authorities are expected to launch a thorough investigation into the shooting, with a focus on identifying the perpetrators and determining the motive behind the attack. The safety and well-being of Prime Minister Fico and all individuals involved in the incident remain the top priority.

The shooting of Prime Minister Fico underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law in Slovakia. As the country grapples with this unprecedented crisis, there is a collective call for resilience, solidarity, and a commitment to preserving peace and stability in the face of adversity.

In recent years, Europe has witnessed a surge in cocaine consumption, with the drug’s availability reaching unprecedented levels. Behind this booming trade lies a network of organized crime groups from the Balkans, who have emerged as Europe’s top cocaine suppliers.

BY GUEST ESSAY:

This special report delves into the intricate web of criminality that fuels the continent’s cocaine epidemic, tracing the origins, operations, and global connections of Balkan gangsters in the illicit drug trade.

The roots of Balkan organized crime can be traced back to the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Amid the chaos of war and political upheaval, criminal networks flourished, capitalizing on the breakdown of law and order to establish lucrative enterprises in smuggling, trafficking, and extortion. Over time, these criminal syndicates expanded their operations beyond national borders, infiltrating Europe’s underworld and diversifying their illicit activities.

Driven by insatiable demand and staggering profits, Balkan gangsters have carved out a dominant role in Europe’s cocaine trade. Leveraging their extensive networks and strategic alliances with South American cartels, these criminal organizations oversee the smuggling of vast quantities of cocaine into Europe through a variety of routes, including maritime, air, and land channels. From clandestine ports in the Balkans to bustling European cities, the flow of cocaine has become a lucrative and highly profitable enterprise for Balkan gangs.

The rise of Balkan gangsters as major players in the cocaine trade has not gone unnoticed by international law enforcement agencies. Through sophisticated intelligence-gathering efforts and collaborative operations, authorities have uncovered the intricate web of connections linking Balkan crime syndicates to their counterparts in South America, Africa, and beyond. These global connections enable Balkan gangs to orchestrate large-scale cocaine shipments and evade detection by law enforcement agencies, posing a formidable challenge to efforts aimed at disrupting their operations.

In their quest for dominance in the cocaine market, Balkan gangsters have resorted to violence, intimidation, and coercion to protect their interests and eliminate rivals. From targeted assassinations to brutal turf wars, the criminal underworld of the Balkans is characterized by a culture of brutality and impunity. Law enforcement agencies across Europe have struggled to contain the escalating violence fueled by rivalries between competing gangs vying for control of lucrative drug markets.

The ascendancy of Balkan gangsters as Europe’s top cocaine suppliers poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and society at large. The unchecked proliferation of cocaine has fueled addiction, organized crime, and violence, undermining public safety and social cohesion. Efforts to combat the cocaine trade must address the root causes of demand, dismantle criminal networks, and enhance international cooperation to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Europe.

In conclusion, the rise of Balkan gangsters as Europe’s top cocaine suppliers underscores the complexity and magnitude of the continent’s drug problem. As authorities grapple with the challenges posed by organized crime, concerted efforts are needed to tackle the underlying drivers of drug trafficking, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and promote international cooperation to combat the scourge of cocaine addiction and its devastating consequences on individuals, communities, and societies across Europe.