Researchers criticize Rwanda's commemoration period: 'Worried about large-scale violence'

According to researcher Gretchen Baldwin, ethnic tensions are maintained in Rwanda during the country's annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide. Pictured: Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the opening of the 28th edition of Kwibuka in April 2022. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

After the genocide in 1994, Rwanda has been praised by the outside world for its, above all economic, recovery. But new research shows several disturbing aspects with the country's annual commemoration period. Rwandans are forced to remember the genocide in exactly the ways of thinking that caused the genocide - that one ethnic group is superior to another, according to researcher Gretchen Baldwin. And Hon believes that it is a way for the government to retain power. 

November 25, 2022, Interview

Seven million people have fled Venezuela - but the crisis is deprioritised

Almost as many people have fled from Venezuela as from Ukraine, but the crisis in Venezuela receives considerably less resources from the outside world. Photo: Wilfredor. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Vilma Ellemark

Millions of people have been forced to leave both Venezuela and Ukraine. Even so, only 16 percent of the aid response to Venezuelan refugees and migrants has been funded this year, compared to 71 percent of the response to Ukraine. - I don't think people understand how bad the crisis in Venezuela is, says León Poblete, researcher in economics at Uppsala University.

November 23, 2022, Report

Week 45: Debaters critical of Sweden's NATO negotiations with Turkey

Several debaters are critical of the negotiations between Sweden and Turkey regarding Sweden's NATO application. Photo: NATO. Source: Flickr.

Of: Lilljan Daoud and Matida Jaiteh

The meeting between Turkish President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) in Ankara regarding Sweden's NATO application has been hotly debated over the past week. The UN climate conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh has drawn sharp criticism against the Egyptian government.

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November 15, 2022, Current debate

"No one is punished for human rights violations in Iran"

Maja Åberg, policy advisor at Amnesty International Sweden, believes that the culture of impunity in Iran means that human rights violations, such as those seen by the regime during the current protests, continue. Photo: Artin Bakhan. Unsplash/Amnesty International Sweden.

Of: Liljan Daoud

The protests in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jhinas Amini in police custody, have spread across the country. By the end of October, 234 people had died in connection with the protests in Iran, according to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). The human rights organization Amnesty describes a culture of impunity in the country, where the security forces can kill, torture and abuse - without being punished for it. - The situation in Iran is extremely serious, says Maja Åberg, policy advisor at Amnesty International Sweden.

November 8, 2022, Interview

This is how the Iranian population circumvents the regime's internet blockades

"Woman, life, freedom" have been some of the slogans in the protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran. Now the Iranian population is forced to find creative solutions to circumvent the regime's internet blockades. Photo credit: Stacey MacNaught. Flickr. Photo th: Artin Bakhan. Unsplash.

Of: Jonathan Lamy

To quell the protests after mahsa Aminis death, the Iranian regime restricts the local population's access to the Internet. Several social media platforms are now completely blocked and vthe owners around the blockades are few, but tech company and non-profit organizations work to maintain communication with the outside world. 

November 3, 2022, Development magazine explains

Therefore, China and Taiwan are in conflict - and the United States is involved

Tensions between China and Taiwan have reached new levels after the US state visit to Taiwan in August this year. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan looms, and if the US offers military assistance, this would mean an escalation of the conflict. Pictured: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in August 2022. Photo: Makoto Lin. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elianne Kjellman

After US state visit to Taiwan in August, tensions between Taiwan, China and the United States have increased sharply. Many experts fear a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The subject has recently been mentioned frequently in the media, but the conflict can be difficult to understand. The development magazine explains the historical background to the conflict and US involvement in it.

October 28, 2022, Development magazine explains

Sexual violence in conflict: “psychological warfare”

Sexual violence in conflict is a serious problem in several countries around the world. The African groups' partner Ondjango Feministas raises awareness of women's rights in Angola. Photo: Sheila Nangue. Source: Ondjango Feministas.

Of: Alice Eriksson

Sexual violence increases in connection with conflict and natural disasters in the world, says Ylva Jonsson Strömberg from the Swedish Red Cross. Several civil society organizations point to the importance of development aid to break the negative trend in the world. 

August 11, 2022, Almedalen - article, Report

One year after the Taliban took power: "Do not forget Afghanistan"

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to repression under the Taliban regime, something Elham Kohistani, an activist, and Najiba Sanjar, a crisis coordinator and consultant, said at a seminar during Almedalen Week. Photo: Julia Lundén Azzeddine.

Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine

One year after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the country is hard hit by poverty, famine, unemployment and dismantled health care. During Almedalen Week, several people discussed the crisis situation in the country. 

July 20, 2022, Almedalen - article, Report

This is how Sweden investigates international war crimes

Sweden cooperates internationally through both the EU and the UN to investigate war crimes. Photo: WiR_Pixs. Source: Canva.

Of: Elin Malmqvist

Russia's war on Ukraine is regularly reported on the news. We are reached by testimonies of awfulness war crimes that describe how Russian soldiers have raped and executed civilians as well as attacked hospitals and residential buildings in Ukraine. And Sweden takes a great international responsibility to conduct investigations into war crimes in the world.  

July 19, 2022, Almedalen - article, Report

Johan Pehrson (L) highlighted democracy aid and NATO in his Almedal speech

In Johan Perhrson's (L) party leadership speech during Almedalen Week, he raised several foreign policy issues - including the EU, NATO and Swedish democracy assistance.

Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine, Andreas Klawitter and Elin Malmqvist

"The school's biggest champion". This is how the Liberals' party leader Johan Pehrson was introduced at Tuesday's second party leadership speech during Almedalen Week 2022. When Pehrson left Sweden and the school world for a while, he highlighted, among other things, the security policy situation in the world and Swedish democracy assistance. 

July 6, 2022, Almedalen - article, News