Week 16: Debaters in appeal against international surrogate trade

Several debaters demand that Sweden immediately introduce a ban on international surrogate arrangements. Photo: Tumisu. Source: Pixabay.

Of: Ellen Norman

About 30 debaters wants to ban international surrogacy arrangements. They believe that Swedish citizens take advantage of vulnerable women in poor countries. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also been discussed during the past week - and Aftonbladet's editorial writer mean to the West should do more to support Ukraine.

April 24, 2023, Current debate

Government critic Rusesabagina released in Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina was released from prison in Rwanda at the end of March, where he was sentenced despite his denial of terrorist offences. He has now been allowed to return to his family, who have been living in the United States for some time now. Image: ABC Reconciliation Forum. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

At the end of March, government critic Paul was released Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda, suddenly from prison. He was convicted in 2021 over his denials of sponsoring rebel groups that carried out deadly attacks in the country, but the trial has been criticized by several countries and human rights organizations for being politically motivated. Now Paul has Rusesabagina allowed to return to his family in the United States – but at the price of a promise that stop get involved in Rwandan politics.  

April 18, 2023, News

She continues the women's struggle in Chile - despite no to a new constitution for abortion rights

20-year-old Amapola Manquehual in Chile continues to participate in the protests for abortion rights and social reforms that have swept Latin America in recent years. This despite the fact that Chile last autumn voted no to a constitutional proposal that would legalize abortion in the country. Photo: Vilma Ellemark/Amapola Manquehual.

Of: Vilma Ellemark

In September 2022, Chile voted no to a historic constitutional proposal that, among other things, included gender quotas in public bodies and the right to abortion. This after several years of protests for social reforms and women's rights. - I cried when I saw the result, but I still have hope, says women's rights activist Amapola Manquehual.

April 5, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Interview

"I fight on the front line of education"

Iryna Yetskalo has founded an educational center for Ukrainian children and youth in Timisoara, Romania. Her experiences in education are her weapon in the war against Russia: "I try to do everything I can for Ukraine," she says. Photo: Daniel Díaz.

Of: Daniel Diaz

The contractor Iryna Yeti scale escaped the war i Ukraine and started one training center i Romania. Where being taught ukraine children and young people that has needed leave his country but want to liabilities leave his study. - We do is so I tjanar my country, says Iryna Yeti scale. 

April 4, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

This is how Orbán's government has restricted press freedom in Hungary

During Viktor Orbán's 13 years in power in Hungary, press and media freedom in the country has been severely restricted. This has provoked reactions and received criticism from the EU. In the picture, Viktor Orbán speaks before his EU parliamentary group, EPP, in 2014. Photo: European People's Party. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

Viktor Orbán regained the position of Prime Minister of Hungary in 2010. Since then, he has implemented major political changes affecting the democratic rights of the population. Journalists in the country are wiretapped and critical voices are silenced - despite the fact that freedom of speech and the press is part of the country's constitution.  

March 16, 2023, Development magazine explains

Munisa Rashid stays in Afghanistan - despite the Taliban's oppression of women

Munisa Rashid's life has been severely restricted since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan - just like most women in the country. She is no longer allowed to dress however she wants or leave the house without a male guardian. Photo: Shabnam Alkozay.

Of: Liljan Daoud

Since the Taliban took over the Afghan state in 2021, everyday life looks different for most Afghans. Their economic opportunities and women's rights have been severely limited. munisa Rashid, communicator at Swedish Afghanistan Committee (SAK), is one of many women in the country who are no longer allowed to start their dream education or dress how they want. 

March 8, 2023, Interview

Environmental work in Lima collides with the city's vulnerable residents

In Lima, the capital of Peru, several ecosystems are threatened by the growing shantytowns. This has caused marginalized groups to be portrayed as a threat to biological diversity, writes Chakad Ojani, postdoctoral fellow in social anthropology at Uppsala University. Pictured: Improvised housing in southern Lima. Photo: Chakad Ojani.

Of: Chakad Ojani

In Peru's capital Lima, biodiversity is threatened by urbanization and the rapidly growing number of shantytowns. At the same time, the protection of unique ecosystems becomes a threat to the city's economically vulnerable residents. Environmental work must therefore cooperate with an uncompromising fight for equality and inclusion. It writes Chakad Ojani, postdoctoral fellow in social anthropology at Uppsala University. 

February 2, 2023, Guest analysis

Israeli court order forces thousands of Palestinians to leave their homes

A large part of the Masafer Yatta area is to be used as a military training ground, which means that over 1000 Palestinians living in the area will have to leave their homes. Picture left: Israeli military ensure that the children cannot disturb the ongoing demolition of their school in the village of Isfay al-Fauqa. Photo: Kenneth, Companion Program. Image right: Field workers view debris from a demolition in Khirbet al-Fakhiet, one of the 14 villages in Masafer Yatta. Photo: Axel Sandberg. 

Of: Axel Sandberg

I May 2022 stated the Israeli Hhighest the court that a large part of the area Masafar On yacht on the southern West Bank ska work as militaryt practice field. This means that the nearly 1 Palestinians who live in the area will be forcibly displaced.

January 30, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

What is required for a world where everyone is free to decide about their body and sexuality?

A new UN commission has tried to point out a path towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. This is written by Hans Linde, union chairman at RFSU and member of the UN commission. Pictured: Demonstration for the right to abortion in Argentina. Photo: ProtoplasmaKid. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Hans Linde

Large parts of the world's population have little opportunity to make decisions about their own body and sexuality, despite the fact that the world's countries have time and again set ambitious goals. It is not difficult to see challenges, while a series of advances show that change is possible. A new UN commission has tried to point out a path towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. It writes Hans Linde, union chairman at RFSU and member of the UN commission. 

December 21, 2022, Guest chronicle

Week 49: Soccer World Cup and UN meeting on biological diversity sparks debate

Last week, the UN meeting COP15 on biodiversity began in Canada. The meeting contributed to debate about the government's climate policy and about methods to preserve biological diversity. Photo: UN Biodiversity. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt and Sidra Amir

In step with the World Cup finals in football, the discussion on Swedish debate and editorial pages about FIFA's responsibility for Qatar's crimes against human rights has intensified. The UN meeting COP15 in Montréal on biodiversity, where the parties must agree on the global framework for biodiversity, has also spurred this week's climate debate.

December 12, 2022, Current debate