“While Gaza burns, hope is stifled in the West Bank”

Under a tree at dusk, villagers gather in al-Farisiyah, Hannah and Murad's village in the northern Jordan Valley, along with three companions. The conversation revolves around everyday life under occupation and the constant threats of violent attacks and forced displacement. The village is completely surrounded by Israeli settlements and outposts: Giv'at Sal'it and Mehola to the north, Shadmot Mehola and Rotem to the east, and Maskiyyot to the south. Photo: Linn Davrin.

Of: Linn Davrin

How much can a heart bear before it breaks? How long can people live in an invisible struggle without the world seeing them? Gaza is burning, but in the West Bank hope is stifled – in the shadow of statistics and international silence, tells City Davrin as just returnt after a time as a companion i Jordan Valley, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. She carries with her stories from Hannah, Mohammed and Love that would rather die than leave his home. 

May 12, 2025, Guest chronicle

Freedom of expression under pressure in Turkey

Protests in Turkey following the arrests of Istanbul's mayor and several journalists have been met with heavy-handed police action and censorship. At the same time, criticism of the government's restrictions on freedom of expression is growing. Image: Canva

Of: Mona Adam Abdi

The Turkish state continues to strengthen its influence over public discourse. After arrestn by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and several journalists have protests broke out - Mto eat w/ mass arrests, censorship and police crackdowns. Criticism is growing against a government that uses the law to silence dissent.  

April 15, 2025, Development magazine explains

Bolivia pauses decision on $2 billion lithium extraction

The lithium that can be extracted from Bolivia's seemingly endless Uyuni salt flats is an important component in, for example, electric car batteries. Bolivia has the world's largest lithium reserve and many foreign investors are interested in the resource. Image: Pedro Travassos/Flickr.

Of: Elina Malmberg

Bolivia's huge lithium reserves are seen as importanta for the country economica development. Despite this, now pauses Parliament of Bolivia de decision regarding kontrakt with China and Russia concerning lithium extraction after pressure from critics which means that the contracts pressed with insufficient consultation w/ local communities.

February 28, 2025, News

Rights of people with disabilities in Taiwan: a work in progress

At the Taiwanese disability rights organization Eden Social Welfare Foundation, a wall is covered with principles covered by the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities. Image: Saga Koberstein From/Utvecklingsmagasinet

Of: Saga Koberstein From

In Taiwan live redan over a million people with disabilities, and this year Taiwan is expected to become a super-aged society. Despite progress in legislation and increased awareness of the rights of people with disabilitiesar significant challenges remain.  

February 17, 2025, FUF-correspondents, Reportage

Dr. Denis Mukwege on the situation in the Eastern DRC: "This is no longer a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of our humanity"

Dr. Denis Mukwege urged that the only way to bring peace to the DRC is by tackling what he considers the root cause of the violence: illegal exploitation and exportation of mining resources. Image: Swedish Development Forum 2025

Of: Dr. Denis Mukwege

- It's time to move from a 'Do No Harm' approach to a 'Do Good' one, urged Nobel Peace Prize laureate in his opening statement of "Business for Peace" a seminar on the obstacles and solutions to building a fair and sustainable mineral trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The seminar was arranged in late January 2025 by FUF in collaboration with Friends of Panzi Hospital and took place only days before M3 rebel forces started their assault on Goma, an important node for people and minerals in Eastern DRC. Dr Mukwege's opening statement has been rendered as delivered below.

February 10, 2025, Guest piece, Magazine

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

Arrest warrants against Myanmar military leaders shed light on ongoing human rights crisis

Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in June 2017. "The military forces young people into the battlefield as human shields in order to advance," says Veronica Sällemark to Utvecklingsmagasinet. Photo: Vadim Savitsky, mil.ru/ Wikimedia Commons

Of: Agnes Fältman

The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) suspects Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing of human rights violations against the Rohingya minority group. The decision highlights the crisis the country has been in since the military coup in 2021.    - There are extensive reports of human rights violations such as torture, murder and rape, says Veronica Sällemark at the Olof Palme International Center.  

December 16, 2024, Interview

Moral police to be introduced in Libya

Women at a stall selling veils near Tripoli. Archive image. Photo: David Stanley/Flickr

Of: Agnes Fältman

Libya's Minister of the Interior doesn't that, among other things, compulsory veiling for girls from the age of nine and a ban on "inappropriate" hairstyles and clothing should be introduced. Moral policeen shall ensure that the new rules and the country's "social values" afteris followed. Amnesty International criticizes the decision and believes that it worsens discrimination against women and girls. 

November 13, 2024, News

Key decision on death penalty in Taiwan

The court building that houses the Constitutional Court of Taiwan. The death penalty has long been debated in Taiwan, but this year the discussion has intensified when the Constitutional Court has to make a decisive decision. Photo: Saga Koberstein From/Utvecklingsmagasinet

Of: Saga Koberstein From

This year, a legal process has created discussions about whether or not the death penalty should be used in Taiwan. In September, the Constitutional Court's verdict finally came. The death penalty is maintained, but its exercise is limited. The reactions were not long in coming.

October 31, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Reportage

New law in Georgia: "a serious deterioration of the freedoms and rights of LGBTQI people"

Natia Gvianishvili, senior international advocacy advisor at RFSL, believes that the new Georgian law will lead to a serious deterioration of the freedoms and rights of LGBTQI people. Photo: RFSL

Of: Benjamin Frisk

Around Eastern Europe, the struggle for the rights of LGBTQI people can be said to balance on the thin line between hope and despair. In Georgia, politics is marked by contradictions between the ambition of EU membership and controversial legislation that regulates civil society, the media and now the rights of LGBTQI people.

October 29, 2024, Interview