Several events during the Brazilian Carnival touch on issues of democracy and racism. Ilú Obá De Min is a group of Afro-Brazilian women in São Paulo who, through their drum parade, want to maintain and spread Afro-Brazilian culture in a country where black people are often discriminated against. Photo: Carmel Kotzen and Vilma Ellemark.
Of: Vilma Ellemark
Carnival in Brazil is not just a place for partying and pickpocketing – as many associate it with. In samba parades and street parties, various social problems are raised in creative ways. - It's not just a street party. It is a force for self-expression and resistance, expresses the Afro-Brazilian organization Ilú Obá De Min in connection with its drum parade.
July 11, 2023, Report
Félix Díaz, president of the Consultative and Participatory Council of Indigenous Peoples of Argentina (CCPPIRA) and leader of the Qom indigenous people, has been camping outside the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. He wants the indigenous people's right to land and dialogue with the state to be respected, but according to Félix Díaz, the politicians do not respond to attempts to talk. Photo: Vilma Ellemark.
Of: Vilma Ellemark
The indigenous Qom people have camped outside the Argentine presidential palace in the capital Buenos Aires for over two years. This is in protest against the fact that politicians do not initiate dialogue with the group about their land rights. - The politicians have not responded to a single one of our formal letters or requests for dialogue, says protest leader Félix Díaz.
May 12, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Interview
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
In November, the Riksdag voted through the new laws on foreign espionage – something that has met with strong criticism from both the media industry and former whistleblowers. Photo: Johannes Jansson. Source: Wikimedia commons.
Of: Vilma Ellemark
On January 1, the controversial foreign espionage laws came into force in Sweden. Critics fear that the laws make it more difficult for journalists and whistleblowers to report on wrongdoing in international collaborations. But how can espionage laws restrict the media? And why were the laws voted through despite the criticism? The development magazine explains what you need to know about the law changes.
January 13, 2023, Development magazine explains
Maja Magnusson, press officer and information officer at Svalorna Latinamerika, is concerned that reduced aid and scrapped feminist foreign policy could affect gender equality work in Latin America. Photo: Swallows Latin America.
Of: Vilma Ellemark
The new direction of Swedish foreign policy has caused concern among many organizations that work with global development issues. - We are worried about severe cuts, says Maja Magnusson, press officer and information officer at Svalorna Latin America.
December 9, 2022, Interview
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