For Syrians and the Syrian diaspora, the task of rebuilding a country torn apart by 14 years of civil war remains. Hazem Younes from the Swedish-Syrian association Al Seeraj wants to be a part of that. On the right is the city of Aleppo in northern Syria, which Hazem recently visited to meet with local civil society organizations. Photos: Hazem Younes/Canva.
Of: Ida Löjmand
December 8, 2024 ended more than 50 years of dictatorship in Syria. Nis president Bashar al-Assad was overthrown he left after oneself a country destroyt of 14 years of civil warNow the Swedish wants-Syrian diaspora associationen Al Seeraj Sweden to contribute to rebuilding the homeland and ena anda divided population.
June 2, 2025, Interview
Journalist Yara Bader and lawyer Raghda Sheikh at the human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders' office in Stockholm. Photo: Agnes Fältman/Utvecklingsmagasinet
Of: Agnes Fältman
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) has been awarded this year's Civil Rights Defender Award. Now the organization's program director Yara Bader and project coordinator Raghda Sheikh talk about their experiences and how they see the future of Syria. “I am happy that the future is coming,” says Yara Bader.
June 2, 2025, Interview
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
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
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 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
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 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, Shops
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 . Critics believe that the law hoodr civil society's independence and limitr freedom of expression.
January 10, 2025, FUF-correspondents, News
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
Women at a stall selling veils near Tripoli. Archive image. Photo: David Stanley/Flickr
Of: Agnes Fältman
Libya's Minister of the Interior wool that, among other things, compulsory veiling for girls from the age of nine and a ban on "inappropriate" hairstyles and clothing should be introduced. 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
