From free vote to 'foreign agent': Kyrgyzstan's new law hits civil society

In recent years, Kyrgyzstan's rule has become increasingly authoritarian and repression of opposition voices, media and civil society has intensified, reports Freedom House 2024. Photo: Arseniy Kotov/Pexels

Of: Johanna Berzell

In March 2024 Kyrgyzstan introduced a "foreign representatives" law that requires organizations with foreign funding to be registered and audited. Lagene, reminiscent of Russia's infamous Foreign Agent Law, has awakened strong reactions internationally. Critics believe that the law hoodr civil society's independence and limitr freedom of expression. 

January 10, 2025, FUF-correspondents, News

Youth challenge conservative norms in southern Kyrgyzstan

Inobatkhon Sultanova started getting involved as an activist in 2017 and is today the organizational manager at the Kyrgyz youth organization Noviy Ritm. Photo: Johanna Berzell/Uttvecklingsmagasinet.

Of: Johanna Berzell

— We are trying to create change, to make our country and our lives better, says Inobatkhon Sultanova. For a decade, the youth organization has Noviy Rhythm worked for equality and human rights in southern Kyrgyzstan. This despite opposition from the authorities and the local population.  

November 7, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Interview

Civil society challenges the silence in Kazakhstan

Photographs from “Protracted silence” by Zhaniya Fazylova. The series is about the horror that women are forced to go through alone, ashamed to share their experiences of violence with society. Photos: Zhaniya Fazylova

Of: Meja Roberg

After a high-profile murder, intimate partner violence is once again punishable in Kazakhstan. While government repression is hitting women's rights activists hard, civil society is strengthening its voice through initiatives like NeMolchiKZ and art exhibitions that promote community dialogue.   

October 28, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Reportage

We do not buy ourselves into a sustainable world

On Kungsgatan, one of Gothenburg's most popular shopping streets, shopping people often meet recruiters from various organizations. Photo: News Øresund / Jenny Andersson. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Von Unge

Today, non-profit organizations often use member recruiters in the city to raise money for their businesses. At the same time, the change needed in the consumer society requires that organizations also change their fundraising strategies.

March 10, 2022, Chronicle

That is why it is important to spread knowledge about the world

Johanna Wolf, non-profit active in FUF Stockholm

Of: Johanna Wolff and Max Ericson

The world is getting smaller with digitalisation. At the same time, we also see how complex the world is and that the challenges can be difficult to solve when we are not working together or towards the same goal. But why is it important that we have knowledge of the world and all the challenges we face? Read more about what our two non-profit active members from FUF think about this. They talk about the importance of finding their glow and getting a platform to express themselves.

February 8, 2021, Chronicle

Trust and confidence are crucial to strengthening democracy

The power of civil society needs to be harnessed to reverse the anti-democratic trend. Photo from Women's March in Washington DC, October 2020. Photo: Mobilus In Mobili (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Of: Ida Kronberg

Democracy is on the decline in the world, and the global health crisis created by the corona pandemic poses further challenges. This was discussed during the seminar "Democracy, human rights and the pandemic - impact and opportunities", organized by International IDEA.

November 6, 2020, Chronicle

Can digital development alleviate the consequences of pandemics for marginalized groups? 

Digital development is predicted to alleviate the consequences of pandemics for vulnerable groups. It requires states to work to ensure that access to connectivity is equal and inclusive. Photo: Pixabay / Myriams_Fotos.

Of: Björn Luthander

Digital development is increasingly highlighted as an effective way to deal with the pandemic. Especially in international development cooperation. But a non-inclusive transition risks increasing the digital exclusion of marginalized groups. 

November 5, 2020, Analysis

Life goes on in Gorkha after the earthquake

Meeting with Sneha Gurung (far left) and the other women in the group who learned how to make Dhaka clothes. Photo: Nikolina Stålhand / IM

Of: Nikolina Stålhand

On April 25, 2015, life changed completely for many people in Nepal. The earthquake that occurred measured 7,5 on the Richter scale and was the strongest in just over 80 years. 9000 people died, almost 30 were injured and the material damage amounted to billions. Although many people are still living in the suites of this disaster, it is a […]

Read more »

June 11, 2018, FUF-correspondents

Half the people - half the power?

Of: Janina Rosvall, Sayran Eliassi

Historical feminist victories that have taken generations to achieve are in danger of being lost. The scope for civil society, and in particular the women's movement, to organize and demand their rights risks shrinking - even in democracies such as Sweden. FUF-bladet meets influence and policy adviser Charlotte Pruth at Kvinna till Kvinna to discuss the conditions for power for the global women's movement.

May 24, 2018, Interview

New perspectives on migration from Canada

Joseph Shabason participates in the Canadian Integration Program to share the privileges he received from growing up in Canada. Photo: Anna Aigrot

Of: Anna Aigrot and Astrid Aigrot

In search of positive perspectives and ideas, at a time when the debate over refugee reception and integration is getting darker, we sought across the Atlantic to Canada to learn more about the country's "Privately Sponsored Refugees" (PSR) program. During two weeks in Canada, we met with representatives from government actors, activists and a total of 15 private sponsors. It […]

Read more »

March 28, 2018, FUF-correspondents