Author: Canvas User

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the more protests in Iran, internet shutdowns, and more.

Conflict Update:

President Putin’s plan to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine met with a sharp rebuke from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who condemned Russia’s territorial claims as a violation of the U.N. Charter. “Any decision by Russia to go forward will further jeopardize the prospects for peace,” said Guterres on Thursday. “It will prolong the dramatic impacts on the global economy … and hinder our ability to deliver life-saving aid across Ukraine and beyond.” While the United Nations has remained publicly critical of Russian aggression in Ukraine, it is unclear what specific disciplinary actions — if any — the international body will take against a current member of its Security Council.

Iran:

Protests have erupted across Iran and the world in support of Mahsa Amini. The protests have centered around the authoritarian government and theocratic rule, suppressing numerous protests with deadly force. The death toll is now at 76 as the government cracks down. Students and teachers at over 20 universities are on strike and walked out of their classrooms in support. The government says it has arrested 1200 people, including several journalists. Meanwhile, an internet shutdown has been put in place.

Afghanistan:

Women protesting for Mahsa Amini outside the Kabul Iranian embassy were dispersed by the Taliban, who fired rounds into the air. Women carried banners reading “Iran has risen, now it is our turn!” and “From Kabul to Iran, say no to dictatorship!” The Taliban took the banners and tore them in front of the protesters. They also threatened to beat the protesters and ordered journalists to delete rally videos.
Kids in Afghanistan, as young as four, work in factories to support their families. It is estimated that half of the Afghan children have been put to work in brick factories and are missing out on education.

 

Iraq:

In the northern city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurds are protesting the death of Mahsa Amini. As protests in Iran occur all over the country, they have now also spread into Kurdish parts of Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has launched missiles and drones into Iraqi Kurdistan, allegedly targeting Iranian Kurdish separatist groups hiding across the border in Iraq’s mountainous Kurdish region. Iran claims the dissidents were involved in the protests in Iran’s Kurdish region against the death of Mahsa Amini.

 

Lebanon:

The numerous bank holdups and protests on Friday last week led to Lebanon’s 3-day bank closure, which has now been extended indefinitely due to the economic crisis. The Association of Lebanese Banks says that banks will close indefinitely due to a lack of protection by authorities. Additionally, the Lebanese boat bound for Europe with 120-150 people onboard that sank off the Syrian coast last week reportedly claimed the lives of 94 passengers. The Lebanese army has arrested a Lebanese national who admitted smuggling people from Lebanon to Italy on an irresponsibly small boat.

 

Uganda:

At least 31 people have been infected with Ebola as Uganda struggles to contain this current outbreak of the often-fatal virus. There are six confirmed deaths from outbreak cases in Mubende, central Uganda. BBC News reports that there is no current and available vaccine for this circulating strain, first discovered in Sudan. In response, immunologists have initiated a “multipronged international effort” to develop an effective vaccine as the fatality rate within Uganda soars to 64 percent.

 

Zimbabwe:

This week in Zimbabwe, the prize-winning novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, a prominent critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, has been fined and given a six-month suspended jail sentence. She will remain out of jail provided she does not commit a comparable “offense” in the next five years. The court found her guilty of “inciting public violence” during a 2020 anti-government protest. Police arrested Dangarembga at the end of July 2020, civilly marching and holding a banner that read ‘We want better — reform our institutions.’ Police forced her into a vehicle as security forces sent to stop the protest arrested dozens. Despite government denial, human rights lawyers noted cases of abductions and torture. Dangarembga told reporters shortly afterward that the crackdown showed the right to peaceful protest had been “seriously eroded” in Zimbabwe.

Nicaragua:

This week, President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua aired further attacks on the catholic church, calling bishops and priests “killers” and “coup plotters” and publicly accusing the clergy of working on behalf of “American imperialism.” The other accusations included several characterizations of the church as a “perfect dictatorship.” Ortega views the clergy as backing protests against the government, which four years ago were met with a harsh crackdown killing hundreds. Such actions had faced international criticism, as they had this week when Ortega lashed out attacking numerous foreign actors. President Ortega criticized US Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols and the government of Chile, who both recently charged the Nicaraguan president with human rights violations. Additionally, Ortega’s government expelled Ambassador Muscheidt of the European Union after the body had urged that Nicaragua restore democracy, respect human rights and release political prisoners.

Bolivia:

This week citizens of Bolivia participated in protests promoting the legalization of abortion procedures. These protests all over Latin America marked “International Safe Abortion Day.” This procedure is only limitedly legal in a handful of Latin countries. However, in Bolivia, it remains legal only for extreme circumstances such as rape, incest, and risk to the mother or issues with the fetus. Protestors were recorded saying that they wanted a future where women had the choice to decide. Reports also noted that protesters specifically called for expanded sexual health education in Bolivia.

Cuba:

Hurricane Ian decimated the Cuban power grid, plunging the island into darkness, with the violent storm taking two lives at the very least. On Wednesday, workers restored power to part of Havana and a few other regions, but the country’s western half remains broadly unserviced. It was the first time in memory—perhaps ever—that the whole island had lost power,” reported the Associated Press. The damage beyond electrical services is equally extensive, namely the damage to crucial Cuban tobacco farms.

The United States:

In a speech Thursday, President Biden predicted a “substantial loss of life” in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. This highly-destructive tropical cyclone caused significant flooding after making landfall in southwest Florida. Considered “one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history,” the hurricane cut power to nearly two million Florida residents and, by early estimates, wrought up to $40 billion in damage. On Wall Street, investors have whiplash from stock market volatility driven by the highest inflation rates in a generation. On Thursday, one U.S. stock index declined to its lowest point in nearly two years.

 

Thailand:

Han Lay, a model from Myanmar who called out to the international community for help against Myanmar’s military junta, was denied entry to Bangkok. She was stopped at Bangkok airport due to an Interpol notice. The junta’s crackdown targeted activists ranging from politicians to social media influencers. She will arrive in Canada with refugee status from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 

Myanmar:

The junta’s helicopters have killed 13 people and seven children in an attack on a school. Helicopters were checking the village for resistance, firing heavy weapons at the school in the Buddhist monastery for an hour. Since the coup, the UN has recorded 260 attacks on schools. Internet shutdowns, which have become regular under the junta’s regime, are being used to target the resistance movement in the countryside. Blackouts limit the ability to organize and keep photos, videos, and information from reaching the outside world.

 

Indonesia:

The West Papua National Liberation Army has shot four people. Due to the Indonesian military’s heavy presence in the region, sporadic attacks on civilians are meant to target undercover Indonesian intelligence personnel. As the independence movement in Papua and West Papua intensifies, peaceful protests and campaigns for international awareness are being sidelined by the armed wing’s attacks on civilians this year.

 

Belarus:

After being held for a year, a Belarusian court sentenced six members of a journalism advocacy group to lengthy prison terms this week. The court in Minsk charged the members with “terrorism” and “activities disrupting social order,” with sentences ranging between 8 and 15 years. Their lawyer was arrested the day after. As is reported by numerous organizations and international bodies, these arrests and charges come as the regime continues to crack down on independent journalists, opposition politicians, and rights activists.

 

Georgia:

Over 53,000 fleeing Russians have entered Georgia following Putin’s mobilization announcement, fearing the Kremlin could announce a border closure. This situation has left an accumulating line of thousands waiting to reach the only border checkpoint into Georgia. Reportedly, there have been more than a few cases of the Georgian government or police turning away prominent Russian democratic opposition members.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the historic protests in Iran erupting against the regime’s treatment of women and much more.

Conflict Update:

Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked international concern this week by repeating threats of nuclear confrontation in his war against Ukraine. Putin, who invaded Ukraine this February in what he termed a “special military operation,” has called for a partial mobilization of Russian citizens against Ukrainian forces. His government has also scheduled referendums Friday on Russian citizenship for regions of Ukraine annexed or occupied by Russian forces. “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened,” said the Russian president, “we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people.” Referring to his intentions to deploy nuclear weapons, Putin added: “This is not a bluff.”

Iran:

The death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini has sparked the biggest protests in Iran since water shortages last year. While visiting Tehran, she was arrested by morality police for improperly wearing her hijab. After her death in the morality police’s custody, people took to the streets to protest the strict hijab laws and crackdown on women. Protests also challenge the unaccountable morality police and government regime. Protests have intensified over the past few days, mostly in Tehran and the Kurdistan region. As of Tuesday, seven have died in clashes with security forces. Women have been at the forefront of these protests, waving or burning their hijabs and cutting their hair. Meanwhile, even some Ayatollahs have called the morality police “illegal and un-Islamic,” as their purpose should not be vigilante repression.

Afghanistan:

The UN called on the Taliban to reopen year 7-12 schools to girls after calling the current situation “tragic, shameful, and entirely avoidable.” Afghan girls have been excluded from education for over a year now, and the UN worries that these restrictions on freedoms will increase poverty, isolation, and insecurity. UN Chief António Guterres addressed the UN General Assembly, asking the Taliban to “lift all restrictions on girls’ access to secondary education immediately.”

 

Lebanon:

Since August, a string of people in Lebanon have stormed banks to access their savings. Last week, a woman stormed a bank with a handgun and gasoline, demanding her own savings account balance in order to pay for her sister’s cancer treatments. Last Friday, eight banks were held up by people demanding their savings account deposits. This week, banks will close for three days as a precaution. Some of these despoistors are supported by the activist group Depositors’ Outcry. Protesters in Lebanon had a scuffle with security forces outside the Justice Ministry in Beirut demanding the release of two detainees who were involved in a bank heist last week.

 

Sudan:

This week the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) released a report outlining the dire situation in Sudan where humanitarian needs for refugees have not been met. For the immense amount of displaced people in Sudan, 1.1 million refugees – mostly from South Sudan – and 3.7 million internally displaced Sudanese, living costs have skyrocketed and the war in Ukraine has led to steep price increases and shortages. COVID-19 cases and extreme weather have only worsened the situation. The UNHCR reported it had received just one-third of the US$348.9 million needed this year to provide life-saving assistance and protection. This has led to the cancellation of around two-thirds of humanitarian response plans and existing vital programmes will need to be limited or cut. Therefore, the UNHCR is requesting additional emergency funding from the international community to provide these programs by humanitarian organizations in Sudan, to support refugees, internally displaced people, and their host communities.

Uganda:

Uganda has confirmed seven Ebola cases, including one death, while seven more deaths are being investigated as suspected cases as well. As this new wave of Ebola is the Sudan strain, it is unknown if the vaccines effective against the previous Zaire strain will work against this strain. The UN has dispatched supplies to support the care of the patients as well as a specialized tent for the isolation of patients.

 

Zimbabwe:

A measles outbreak since April has killed 700 children in Zimbabwe due to a low vaccination rate. Vaccines are taboo among Zimbabweans, who are religiously skeptical of modern medicine. Vaccination can lead to exclusion from religious life due to perceived “unholiness.” In response to the outbreak, the Apostiolic Women’s Empowerment Trust has been encouraging mothers to get their children vaccinated in secret, such as at night.

Chinese investors have signed a deal to build a $2.8 billion battery metals industrial park, producing solar batteries from lithium, platinum, and nickel. President Mnangagwa hopes the project will help in Zimbabwe’s national industrialization agenda to benefit from minerals and add value in the production process beyond raw resources. This will revolutionize the mining and energy sector in Zimbabwe. However, projects like these rarely benefit ordinary Zimbabweans. The Centre for Natural Resource Governance worries that the project will only open Zimbabwe’s natural resources up for Chinese exploitation instead of involving Zimbabweans in the lucrative project. US sanctions on Zimbabwean individuals and entities have existed since 2003, specifically targeting corruption and human rights abusers. These sanctions are used as a scapegoat by the elite, who claim they are a general ban on investment and trade. As the 2023 elections approach, a decaying situation has imprisoned political opposition and allowed a small elite to continue to enrich themselves.

Nicaragua:

After spending 16 days besieged in the Episcopal See, Monseñor Rolando Álvarez was removed by the police for allegedly inciting hatred and violence to destabilize the Nicaraguan state. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights calls this a kidnapping, as Álvarez had become the visible face of the confrontation between the Catholic Church and Nicaraguan regime. Meanwhile, the National Police prevented the celebration of the Catholic feast of San Jerónimo in Masaya, where the largest and longest celebration is. Hundreds of riot police surrounded the parish. Clerics insist that they will respect the police orders, as 8 clerics have been imprisoned this year in Nicaragua.

Cuba:

The government is urging citizens to vote yes in this weekend’s vote that would legalize same-sex marriage and adoption and improve women’s rights. The state-run media has aggressively promoted a yes vote, but  Cubans might use the vote as a way to punish the government due to extreme outrage about the economic situation. Some worry that the government’s media campaign has politicized the law. The new “family code” was discussed in highly-public grass-roots meetings involving more than 50% of the country’s residents. Many ordinary Cubans welcome the change while Christian groups have been the most organized opposition.

The United States:

Continuing the saga of Donald Trump’s legal woes, the former U.S. president (and three of his adult children) have been sued by the State of New York for allegedly inflating wealth claims by millions of dollars and engaging in bank and wire fraud over the course of a decade. This lawsuit, which is set to include criminal referrals to the Internal Revenue Services, is separate from the ongoing Department of Justice probe into Trump’s storage of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Joe Biden used his first speech at the United Nations this week to chastise Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

 

China:

Twenty-seven people died when a bus travelling to a Covid-19 quarantine facility crashed on Sunday. The bus was carrying 47 people away from Guiyang, in Guizhou, to a facility 249 kilometres away. The crash trended on Chinese social media platforms before discussion was quickly suppressed, and the topic disappeared. Local officials find themselves under growing pressure to control Covid outbreaks ahead of the important Party Congress in October in spite of growing anger against Beijing’s zero-Covid policy.

 

Thailand:

After years of persecution in China and failure to receive asylum in South Korea, a group of 57 Chinese Christians arrived in Thailand to apply for refugee status through the UN’s Refugee Agency. The members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church have experienced harassment from their local authorities since its founding, especially as Beijing tightens its control over religious communities.

 

Hong Kong:

Ronson Chan, the chairman of Hong Kong’s leading journalist group, was charged with obstructing police officers. In a further degradation of media freedoms in the city, Chan was detained on September 7th as he requested plainclothes police officers to identify themselves before handing over his documents. Chan will appear in court on Thursday, but maintains he was within his rights by asking the officers to identify themselves. His Hong Kong Journalists Association is under pressure to disband from pro-Beijing media who accuse it of being anti-China and influenced by overseas actors. Advocacy group Reporters without Borders called on the government to drop all of Chan’s charges.

Myanmar:

The UN’s human rights office told its member states they should do more to prevent the military junta in Myanmar from obtaining weapons. Since last year’s coup, the military has been fighting a pro-democracy resistance whilst arresting thousands of dissidents. The UN accuses the junta of crimes against humanity and mass killings, and its human rights office urgently recommended UN members to impose bans on arms sales and to financially isolate the regime. Recently, government helicopters struck a school killing at least thirteen people, including seven children.

 

Indonesia:

Following last week’s report on protests against high energy prices in Indonesia, energy minister Arifin Tasrif said the Indonesian government was prepared to buy cheap Russian oil. He said there was high demand for Russian crude oil as it is sold significantly below international prices. However, any moves to purchase Russian oil would likely mean U.S. sanctions, which Arifin noted would be a concern. As of yet, none of this oil has been purchased as it is “not yet available”.

 

Georgia:

On Tuesday, the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee Delegation visited Georgia to discuss the bilateral cooperation agenda between Georgia and the EU and Georgia’s fulfilling of the European Commission’s recommendations. The Committee not only met with the incumbent Georgian Dream party, but with the opposition as well, to discover its involvement in fulfilling the recommendations. Members of Parliament have expressed their support in the political parties cooperating to fulfill the requirements, as they are bigger than any separate party.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the latest developments in Ukraine, the sentencing of LGBT activists in Iran, the protests of coca growers in Bolivia, and more.

Conflict Update:

The U.S. State Department has announced an additional $2 billion in aid—including $675 million in military aid—to Ukraine and “other countries at risk of Russian invasion,” according to the New York Times. The recent pledge from Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III involves the shipment of ammunition and rockets to Ukraine. This comes as previously-classified American intelligence establishes Russia’s plan to procure military equipment from North Korea after already receiving drones manufactured by Iran. Russian President Putin has also suggested plunging Europe into a winter “freeze” by withholding needed energy imports.

Afghanistan:

Human Rights Watch reports that hundreds of Hazaras have been targeted and killed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). According to this report, the Taliban has done too little to protect minorities from bombings and violence as well as provide medical assistance, one of the pledges that the Taliban government made in August 2021. In March, the Taliban delayed opening schools for girls in accordance with Islamic Law. This week, some girls’ high schools have opened in eastern Afghanistan under local authority, but have not been officially approved.

 

Iran:

Two LGBT activists have been sentenced to death by a hardline revolutionary court. They have been charged with “corruption on Earth, spreading homosexuality, propagating Christianity, and making contact with hostile foreign media.” According to the Iranian Lesbian and Transgender Network, they have been denied lawyers and pressued into confessions. In lieu of these civil crack downs, 75% of Iranians are willing to join protests, according to a leaked study by the Strategic Studies Center of the Iranian Armed Forces’ command.

 

Iraq:

The Coordination Framework has expressed that the political crisis can only be solved through dialogue, agreeing to talk with As-Sadr and developing a roadmap to new elections. The willingness to discuss the demands of the Sadrist Movement has helped avert escalation after violence broke out last week. As-Sadr’s withdrawal has also helped prevent escalations, but the Sadrist Movement has been absent from “National Dialogue,” making these talks pointless.

 

Lebanon:

Amidst the economic crisis in Lebanon, President Aoun said that he might not leave the Baabda Palace at the end of his presidential term, this October 31st. He says that the caretaker government is not eligible to assume his powers and that he will cooperate in forming a new government or the current government with changes.

 

Sudan:

The Sudanese government is seeking to bury in mass graves more than 3,000 unclaimed people killed during recent civil unrest. The plan has sparked the ire of families who have accused the government of attempting to “bury the truth” about protestors killed during the country’s 2019 coup. The bodies were revealed to the public following their discovery at hospital morgues in Khartoum.

 

Uganda:

On Monday, four activists of the Torture Survivor Movement UG were arrested in the capital city, Kampala, as they marched in protest of the increasing torture cases of Ugandan migrant workers. The deputy police spokesperson said the four activists would be charged with inciting violence. Many public groups have spoken out against these arrests and the leader of the National Unity Platform has stated that rather than arresting them, the government should listen and act on the acivists’ demands.

Zimbabwe:

This week, approximately 700 children in Zimbabwe have died from measles. Many of those who have died were in fact not vaccinated due to the rise in popularity of anti-vaccine religious groups. Regardless, the government has launched a mass-vaccination effort in which children are the main focus of the campaign, encouraging traditional faith leaders to support the drive.

Nicaragua:

Former Clergy members expelled from Nicaragua by the Ortega regime are beginning to be reassigned into other parts of the world by the Vatican, who to some, has been too silent on the matter. However, according to other analysts, the Pope’s response which he issued the previous week was carefully calculated so as not to give Ortega any further reason to strengthen his attacks on the Clergy.

Bolivia:

On Thursday, thousands of coca farmers marched into the capital city of Bolivia to protest and set ablaze what they are claiming was an illegal new market for the leaf. The  coca farmers marched for five days, broke through police lines, attacked with dynamite and more, although no one was injured. The coca growers said they would not return to their regions until the government resolved the conflict.

The United States:

President Biden and various international leaders sent condolences to the people of the United Kingdom after the Sept. 8 death of their longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. In a White House statement, the president called the 96-year-old “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.” As Great Britain enters a month-long period of mourning, President Biden has ordered the White House flag to fly at half-staff until the monarch’s burial.

 

China:

Ahead of the 20th Chinese Communist party congress on 16 October, China has reintensified efforts to contain COVID-19, with around 65 million people placed under semi-lockdown measures. 33 cities were placed on China’s lowest tier of lockdown. The restrictions include closures of offices and schools, with specialised health clinics forced to close as well. Xi ordered local authorities to balance his zero-COVID strategy with economic growth, as reports suggest the cities under lockdown account for around 35% of the country’s total GDP. The lengthy measures continue to anger locals with their unpredictable nature.

 

Thailand:

The country’s Constitutional Court has called for more evidence to rule on a petition challenging the Prime Minister’s ability to stay in his current position, demonstrating that it is under no pressure to make a decision on a dispute that is dividing the population. While the nine-person court has gathered before, it will meet again next week with more evidence.

 

Hong Kong:

As the Hong Kong government continues its crackdown on dissent and opposition, several prominent Facebook groups have been the latest victims of anti sedition laws. Many residents anonymously trade gossip on “Hong Kong Facebook secrets” pages about government and educational institutions, with some having more than 200,000 followers. Last week, two men were arrested by the national-security police for being the group administrators and promoting “feelings of ill-will”. Hong Kong has recently detained several citizens over content they posted online.

 

Myanmar:

The UN’s special envoy to Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, is “very concerned” about the health and safety of Myanmar’s deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi. She has been imprisoned ever since the military coup in February 2021, which led to mass demonstrations across the country. Suu Kyi was found guilty of a number of offences by opaque military courts, with sentences now amounting to 17 years of imprisonment with hard labour following her latest guilty ruling. The UN’s envoy is demanding a meeting with Suu Kyi as one of the preconditions for her visit to Myanmar.

 

Indonesia:

Indonesia announced it would investigate 13 unresolved human rights violations from the Suharto era, a 31-year dictatorship that ended in 1998. Current President Joko Widodo formed a committee to look at the settlement of past human rights violations, representing a marked shift in the Indonesian government’s policy, where ministers previously dismissed any call for justice by saying “people should stop bringing up the past”.

 

Belarus:

The Belarusian government announced that it would soon release legislation that would permit Lukashenko’s regime to revoke the citizenship of political opponents who have fled the country. The law states that those who were involved in “extremist” activity are subject to the legislation. Those who fled the country for their own safety would not only have their citizenship revoked but would also be banned from entering the country for 30 years. Estimates suggest that somewhere between 100,000 to 300,000 people who have left Belarus for political reasons since 2020 would be affected by this decision.

Belarus has sentenced human rights defenders Marfa Rabkova, Andrei Chapyuk, and eight others alongside them in trial to lengthy prison terms. Some of the charges against the two prominent members included, “organizing, participating in and training others to participate in mass riots”, “inciting social hostility towards the government”, and “involvement in a criminal organization”. In reality, Rabkova and Chapyuk were documenting human rights violations and protests following the August 2020 disputed presidential election, in which Lukashenko took his 6th term in office.

Georgia:

Following the EU-Georgia Association Council Meeting in Brussels, the historical importance of the decision of the European Council on June 23rd to recognize the European perspective of Georgia was highlighted. Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy stated that Georgia was “a country with a recognized European perspective”. He called upon “all domestic political actors”, as well as the civil society, to work together for the common goal of EU membership. To emphasize the advantages of such a partnership, the Commissioner communicated the financial advantages, both public and private, for Georgia, as well as the option of visa-free travel between the EU and Georgia.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the continued fight in Ukraine, nuclear negotiations in Iran, strikes in Lebanon, and the arrest of prominent religious figures in Nicaragua.

Conflict Update:

United Nations nuclear inspectors visited Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on Thursday after continued shelling near the Russian-occupied plant generated global anxiety about a possible radiological disaster. Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency, remarked that the “physical integrity” of Europe’s largest nuclear plant had been severely compromised, despite no current evidence of an increase of radiation in surrounding areas. But the prospect of a nuclear meltdown has prompted the European Union to distribute “more than five million anti-radiation tablets” to communities near Zaporizhzhia as a precautionary measure. According to the New York Times, five U.N. inspectors will remain at the power plant until Saturday for continued observation.

Afghanistan:

The Aid Chief of the United Nations Martin Griffiths has told the UN Security Council to restart some support for Afghanistan due to the dire humanitarian situation there. According to Griffiths, half of the 39 million people could experience famine, with fatal malnutrition affecting more than one million children. Meanwhile, the UN has been trying to start a new aid programme to bypass Taliban leaders.

 

Iran:

As nuclear negotiations continue, diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian says that Tehran needs stronger guarantees from Washington that future presidential administrations will not abandon the deal. Meanwhile, Iran has introduced upgrades to its uranium enrichment programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on 28 August that Iran had started using advanced machinery to enrich uranium beyond the 3.67% purity cap that the deal would enforce.

 

Iraq:

According to a Tweet by Muqtada as-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist movement, he will retire from political life. He also asked all parties, including his own, to give up their government positions in order to start resolving the ongoing political crisis. Last week he requested that his followers disperse from occupying government buildings, but after announcing his retirement, 23 of his followers were killed in violent clashes with security forces and Iran-backed militias on 29 and 30 August. In addition to the deaths, 700 people were wounded.

 

Lebanon:

As the public sector in Lebanon continues to fall victim to strikes due to the economic situation, employees at Lebanon’s state telecom company Ogero have gone on strike. This has resulted in internet shutdowns across the country, which is exacerbating electricity shutdowns due to the lack of fuel.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council renewed the presence of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon for another year. The 10 000 soldiers are deployed as a southern buffer between Israel and Lebanon. The UN hopes that these forces can help the Lebanese forces while the public sector grinds to a halt.

 

Sudan:

More than a quarter-million people have been affected by destructive floods that have wrecked homes and killed over 100 civilians throughout Sudan. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the floods, initiated by extreme rainfall, have reached over 80% of Sudanese provinces. Al Jazeera reports that some 15,000 homes nationwide have been levelled by the floodwaters.

Cuba:

The Cuban government has quietly released from prison a Cuban-American teacher who was convicted of espionage in 2017, accused of passing Cuba’s secrets to the FBI and the CIA in exchange for helping to get her husband out of the country. While she cannot leave the country until 2030, a military court released Alina López Miyares on the basis of good conduct, her chronic high blood pressure, and the “elemental principles of humanism.” Some believe this unusual gesture is a sign of willingness to remove diplomatic barriers that are halting the country’s relationship with the USA.

Nicaragua:

With the continuation of arrests of prominent religious figures in Nicaragua, the nation faces economic alienation on account of Daniel Ortega’s power grabs. Senior US Officials in the Biden administration have expressed that the White House is considering halting Nicaraguan Imports to the US. With bipartisan support for these proposals, the ultimate decision to enact such an idea would be swift with damning effects on the Ortega regime, which oppressively rules over the impoverished nation.

The United States:

The Biden administration has requested that Congress authorize a $1.1 billion sale of weapons and defense systems to Taiwan. The White House has asked for at least $90 million to deliver guided missiles previously sold by the U.S. to the embattled East Asian islands. On Tuesday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official called on the United States to abandon its arming of Taiwan, as American support for its sovereignty and the recent diplomatic visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the region have exacerbated international tensions. The appearance last Sunday of American naval warships in the Taiwan Strait, which the U.S. Navy called a “routine” event, led China to announce its preparedness to “thwart any provocation.”

 

China:

A long-awaited UN report into allegations of abuse in China’s Xinjiang province was released on Wednesday. It assesses claims of abuse towards the Uyghur Muslim minority among others in Xinjiang. The UN report found evidence of torture, ill-treatment and incidents of sexual and gender-based violence since 2017. The Chinese state immediately rejected the findings, with the Foreign Ministry saying the “so-called suggestions were pieced together based on disinformation to serve political objectives”. Beijing called it a “farce” arranged by Western countries. The World Uyghur Congress welcomed the report and urged a swift international response.

 

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee cancelled a visit to mainland China. Due to rising COVID-19 cases, both in Hong Kong and mainland China, Lee will instead discuss the planned subject of border crossings online instead of in person. The financial hub is struggling to come out of its nearly three years of economically devastating isolation, going from a global hub for connectivity to a recession for the second time in three years. Lee took office after a Beijing-managed “patriots-only” election in May following recent protests advocating for democracy. Hong Kong is struggling to keep its position as a hub for business and travel whilst rebuilding relations with mainland China.

 

Myanmar:

A former UK ambassador to Myanmar and her dissident husband were arrested on Wednesday by Myanmar’s military regime. Vicky Bowman was ambassador between 2002 and 2006, and her husband Htein Lin is an artist and former political prisoner. Both were charged with violating the Immigration Act and could face prison sentences between six months and five years. Bowman is the director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, an NGO that advises on anti-corruption among other practices. The UK unveiled sanctions against military-linked companies after last year’s coup and its current ambassador to Myanmar, Pete Vowles, was expelled from the country last month.

 

Indonesia:

The recruitment practices for Indonesian migrant workers in the UK is being scrutinised by an Indonesian presidential task force. Indonesian fruit pickers on farms that supply large UK supermarket chains have stated that they took on debts of up to £5,000 to work in the UK. Unlicensed brokers in Bali have taken these illegal recruitment fees from workers to secure work for a single season in the UK. One worker spoke to The Guardian in its investigation, and said he staked his family home in Bali as surety on the debt and “feared losing it”. Experts on migrant rights said the potential for debt bondage put workers at risk of forced labour.

 

Belarus:

While Belarus does not have any nuclear weapons, President Alexander Lukashenko said that his country’s SU-24 warplanes had been modified, with Russia’s assistance, to carry nuclear weapons and that Minsk would react immediately should the West cause it any problems.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the latest updates on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zimbabwe’s political and economic instability, and numerous countries’ battles against the effects of the global climate crisis.

Conflict Update:

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his top prosecutor, intelligence chief, and other senior officials, allegedly for working against Ukraine. Zelenskyy has said there were an “array of crimes” that hurt Ukraine’s national security, and that there were links between Ukrainian security forces and Russian special services that raised questions about leadership within the security forces and other government offices. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia intends to maintain control over broader areas beyond eastern Ukraine, including the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, and cites Western-supplied, long-range weapons currently being used by the Ukrainians against the Russian offensive in the Donbas as the reason for this updated goal. Kherson in particular is a strategic site of ship-building at the confluence of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea, and is located just north of the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Panama has been experiencing three weeks of continuous protests over high fuel and food costs. These protests have started to cause shortages of some food products, fuel, and medicine due to blockades of major roadways, including the Pan-American Highway. Road closures as a result of the protests have delayed tankers carrying gas to run power plants, which has led the national electric company to ration electricity in Darien province, affecting about 7,000 families. Panama’s main wholesale market that supplies supermarkets and individuals is struggling to stock fresh produce, most of which comes from Chiriquí province through the Pan-American Highway. As of Wednesday, there have been some reports of the situation improving, with protesters clearing some roadblocks of the highway and allowing trucks carrying food to get to the capital.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected by Sri Lankan lawmakers Wednesday to be the new president. The choice has prompted outrage from the public, triggering more protests, since Wickremesinghe, as the former prime minister, is deemed by many to be too close to the former president Rajapaksa, who has fled the country. Wickremesinghe has been acting president since Rajapaksa’s exit, and was finance minister in his government. Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency on Monday in his role as acting president that gave him broad powers to take actions to preserve public security and order, including granting him the ability to change or suspend any law. This political turmoil has only worsened Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, though Wickremesinghe and a representative from the IMF have said they are drawing close to an agreement for financial rescue.

Afghanistan:

A report from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) came out this week containing information on the Taliban’s human rights abuses since they took power last August. In less than a year, the Taliban has killed 160 former government officials, have enforced severe restrictions on the rights of women, and have wrongfully arrested and executed 173 journalists and human rights defenders. However, the Taliban has denied all of this. In other news, the Taliban and the United States continue to negotiate the release of $7 billion of Afghanistan’s bank reserves that sit in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

Iran:

Iranian, Turkish, and Russian leaders met in Tehran on Tuesday, as part of a rare foreign diplomacy trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The diplomats discussed the Ukrainian grain blockade on the Black Sea, the civil war in Syria, and a Russia-Iran oil deal. Iranian media reported Tuesday that Russia plans to invest $40 billion in Iran’s oil industry, and that private Russian companies plan on joining in on the investment. This new level of cooperation between the countries is largely understood to be a result of their shared subjugation to Western sanctions.

 

Iraq:

Eight people were killed and twenty-three injured by a Turkish attack in the northern Kurdish region of Iraq. Turkey’s armed forced usually target the Kurdish militants training camps, however; this recent attack was aimed at civilians, worrying Iraq about the future escalation of such events. Furthermore, Iraq is planning on ordering Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, strengthening their Air Force.

 

Lebanon:

UNICEF warned this week that Lebanon’s recent water crisis could put millions at risk. While residents have been widely impacted by a limited availability of clean and safe water for over a year, UNICEF has now warned the “water supply systems across the country teeter on the brink of failure.” This warning comes as Lebanon faces yet another political crisis,  as on Tuesday security forces raided the Central Bank. The raid is part of a continuing and divisive investigation against former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, who was charged with illicit enrichment and money laundering in March. Salameh is held responsible by some for the debt crisis of the past year which has spurred inflation, poverty, and financial collapse.

 

Sudan:

Violence that broke out last July over a land dispute between the Birta and Hausa ethnic groups in Al-Damazin, Sudan, has recently escalated. The clashes have resulted in a humanitarian crisis, since international aid organizations are waiting for the clashes to subside before assistance can be delivered. 105 people have been estimated to have been killed as a consequence of the dispute, with several people moving to the neighboring Sennar state on foot. The government has announced a curfew and put restrictions on large public gatherings in an attempt to curtail the clashes. The clashes have been further exacerbated, experts say, as a consequence of a security vacuum left as a result of the coup and further increased existing tensions.

Zimbabwe:

Economic and political chaos have continued to ensue in Zimbabwe, and many political analysts are worried about what this means for Zimbabwe’s elections next year. According to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), unemployment has reached 90 percent. While the government claims this is false, for many work informally in Zimbabwe, inflation has continued to rise, showing evidence of continued economic decline. Even with Zimbabwe’s turn to gold coin currency, “the Zimbabwe dollar, introduced to contain the hyperinflation of 2019, is now trading (officially) at 379 to the United States dollar”. Many analysts believe that the most likely outcome of the election would be that governmental control remains the same, continuing a cycle of economic and social repression that will trigger even higher migration flows than the country is currently experiencing. Additionally, Zimbabwe teachers are distrusting of the government and their promised salary raise. After a promised 100% salary increase, teachers were only given $48 USD for their monthly salary, falling extremely short of promised income. Unions plan to meet on the 22nd to discuss further action, and plan to force the government to take their societal contribution seriously.

Cuba:

One year after the country’s mass anti-government protests in July 2021, Cubans have returned to the streets to protest a variety of issues, including nation-wide power outages, the government, the fragile economy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In areas such as Pinar de Rio Province, the government has restricted Internet and telecommunications access. Experts are claiming that the country is experiencing its worst economic crisis in over 30 years.

Nicaragua:

Many supporters of President Daniel Ortega’s political party, Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), gathered in Managua, Nicaragua to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of the Nicaraguan Revolution. During the commemoration, Ortega announced that Nicaragua would not be involved in any dialogue with the United States, furthering the tense relations between the two countries. In response to the regime’s corruption, the U.S. is limiting sugar imports from Nicaragua and implementing higher tariffs. The Nicaraguan government could face economic upsets since its sugar sector accounts for 4% of the GDP, affecting around 150,000 jobs. In other news, Ortega’s regime has closed down 770 NGOs since June 6 in an effort to silence the people’s rights.

Bolivia:

Thousands of opposition members marched in downtown La Paz on Thursday condemning the prosecution of former right-winged president Jeanine Áñez, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for committing a coup against former leftist president Evo Morales. Protesters also denounced the homicide charge against Luis Larrea, a political right activist and president of the College of Physicians. The opposition was met by government supporters who threw tomatoes, stones, and dynamite.

The United States:

On Thursday, President Joe Biden made a public announcement concerning climate change, as extreme heat waves roll through parts of the country. He announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency will direct 2.3 billion dollars to building infrastructure that can “withstand extreme weather and natural disasters.” He further stated in his speech that Congress is not doing enough to prevent climate change and that he plans to take executive actions in the coming weeks.

Amid this summer of continued mass shootings, another incident occurred in an Indiana mall that left three people dead and two injured. However, unlike previous cases, the gunman was stopped and killed by Elisjsha Dicken, 22, who legally had a pistol with him at the time. His actions have added on to the long, frequent debate of American gun control. On one end, some view him as a hero whose actions justify legal gun ownership, whereas others see this single positive outcome as rare.

 

China:

China is expected to see a “sharp spike” in temperatures around the southern and eastern provinces this Saturday, a day commonly known on the Chinese Almanac as the day of the “big heat.” These extreme temperatures come as the country’s economy contracts from the strict COVID-19 regulations that impact businesses and consumers. In the last quarter alone, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 2.6%.

On Thursday, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) fined the mobile transportation platform DiDi around 8.026 billion yuan for “illegally [collecting] customer information since 2015 and [handling] data in a way that endangered national security.” Some have questioned the CAC’s investigation of DiDi, highlighting discrepancies in the administration’s motives and findings.

 

Indonesia:

Four Indonesians from Pulau Pari filed a lawsuit against Swiss-based Holcim, the largest cement producer in the world, for climate damages, with the support of the NGO Swiss Church Aid. Pulau Pari is one of several islands around the world acutely impacted by the global climate crisis, facing an increase in flooding and the threat that parts of the island could be submerged under water in the coming decades in the absence of robust climate action. Indonesia suffers disproportionately from the climate crisis relative to its carbon emissions. The claimants are requesting compensation (totaling to just 0.42% of the total cost of climate damages and adaptation measures) and for Holcim, which ranks 47th out of 100 in the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s 2021 greenhouse polluters index, to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by specific targeted percentages in the coming decades. The lawsuit is an attempt to hold Holcim accountable for its proportional responsibility for the global rise in carbon emissions and the resulting environmental harm.

 

Myanmar:

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is going to rule on Myanmar’s objections to a genocide case on the Rohingya Muslim population. The court heard the government’s objections in February, and is predicted to reject the objections and move towards the next phase of the case. In this phase, it will begin considering evidence against the Myanmar military and government. The case was brought before Myanmar by the Gambia, with the support of the Organization for Islamic Corporation (OIC) in 2019.

 

Thailand:

Amid revelations that Thailand has used the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil and track government critics, a Thai minister has confirmed these actions, stating that surveillance software is being used to track individuals in cases of drugs or national security. A joint investigation by the Thai human rights group iLaw, internet watchdog Digital Reach, and Canada-based Citizen Lab has determined that Pegasus has been used to spy on a minimum of 30 government critics between October 2020 and November 2021.

 

Belarus:

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) criticized Belarus for unlawfully grounding a Ryanair flight in Minsk that led to the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich. Belarus air traffic control claimed that there was a bomb on board the flight, however the ICAO stated the claim was deliberately false and endangered the safety of the passengers and flight crew.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the latest updates on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the earthquake in Afghanistan, and a healthcare workers’ strike in Zimbabwe

Conflict Update:

In the week before a EU leaders summit taking place in Brussels this week, Ukraine expects unanimous support for its bid to join the EU. The deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna “100%” expects acceptance.The destruction by the Russian army is continuing to intensify in the Luhansk region, which is now 95% under control by Russian forces. Despite this, the Ukrainian army is reinforcing their position in the region and keeping Russia from complete control. In response, Russia has increased the amount of troops and artillery strikes it is using in the region. Strikes in Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk in the Donetsk region have resulted in the destruction of schools, residential buildings, and a police station. There is also a chemical plant housing civilians that is facing increased shelling. Lastly, The U.S. attorney general met with a Ukrainian prosecutor at the Polish border to discuss prosecuting anyone involved in war crimes in Ukraine.

Over 200 people, mostly from the Amhara ethnic group, were killed in an attack in Ethiopia’s Oromia region on Sunday. The Oromo Liberation Army, a militant group rebelling against the central government, was blamed for the attack, but denies it, claiming a militia associated with the regional government in Oromia is to blame. This attack comes at a time of worsening ethnic tensions as a result of the conflict in Tigray, and is part of a larger string of attacks. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is facing discontent on multiple fronts, as ethnic nationalism within the regions increases and Ethiopians call for accountability for past attacks. The committee to hold peace negotiations with Tigray has been formed, though Tigrayan officials and aid groups have said that supplies are inadequate to address the humanitarian catastrophe in the region.

Ten days of demonstrations by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) have led to occasional violent incidents in the capital, Quito, and other cities. The Amazonian city of Puyo in particular experienced armed clashes between demonstrators and police, and a protester was killed there on Tuesday. Part of a national strike, the demonstrators are asking for agricultural price controls, a larger education budget, and gas prices to be cut. Both the government and demonstrators have expressed a willingness to negotiate, especially after large-scale, peaceful protests in Quito on Wednesday.

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan suffered from its deadliest earthquake in some 20 years. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake killed over 1,000 people, injured 1,600 others, and destroyed 3,000 homes. It struck a remote and mountainous region in the southeastern region of the country bordering Pakistan, 28 miles southwest of the provincial capital of Khost. The second quake of 4.5 magnitude occurred 30 miles southwest of Khost an hour later. The United Nations Emergency Response Agency continues search and rescue operations led by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign defense, but heavy rain and wind prevent helicopters from landing and poor roads have not fared well for any vehicle aid. The death toll is expected to rise.

In other news, five UK nationals hostage were released by the Taliban government this Monday after being detained for six months. Zabihulla Mujahid, the spokeman for the Taliban government, released the following statement: “A number of British nationals were released, who were arrested about six months ago, for violating the laws and traditions of the Afghan people.” The nation continues to contend with Taliban rule since its takeover in the summer of 2021.

 

Iran:

On Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Iran to discuss “Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, boosting bilateral and energy cooperation, as well as international and regional issues.” Both possessing large oil and gas reserves and facing Western sanctions, the countries are aiming to expand “cooperation with the Eurasian region and the Caucasus.” The visit is one of many recent attempts by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to strengthen regional diplomacy, following visits in the past month by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Syria, and Venezuela. These moves are occurring in conjunction with increasing tensions with the United States, as a result of the continually stalled nuclear deal negotiations.

 

Iraq:

After a walkout of 73 legislators who resigned collectively earlier this month, Iraq’s Parliament has sworn in newlamkers to replace the vacant seats. The walkout was led by one of Iraq’s most influential Shiite politicians, Muqtada Al-Sadr, after an eight month power struggle between his party and Iran-backed Shiite rivals had led to a political impasse. The leader of the Sadrist Movement emerged as the winner after the election, but his goal had been to hold out for a majoritarian coalition and shut out his Iranian-backed rivals, citing that “he will not participate in the next [election] if the corrupt participate.”

Iraq is also facing a drought crisis. The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources revealed Wednesday that a 50% reduction in planting area of the country has occurred due to water scarcity. The Director of National Center for Water Resources Management, Hatem Hamid, stated that access to water is being prioritzed to meet the needs of drinking water, orchards and river environment, and then to the agricultural sector. Such water scarcity has become normal in Iraq with this year being the third in a row where the country faces such a major water crisis. Moreover, with the current uncertain political situation in Iraq, the drought solution becomes increasingly complicated to solve.

 

Lebanon:

Lebanon re-installed Prime Minister Najib Mikati for a fourth term this Thursday. The incumbent garnered the support of 54 out 128 lawmakers in Parliament, including those aligned with Hezbollah, the allied Amal party, and Sunni Muslim groups. Mikati is facing economic and political crises as Lebanon attempts to push through a $3 billion loan agreement with the IMF.

In its third year of financial meltdown, Lebanon’s currency has “sunk the currency by more than 90 per cent, spread poverty, [and] paralyzed the financial system.” The IMF support agreement is contingent on Lebanon enacting reforms for financial restructuring and auditing 14 of their biggest banks. The agreement has been criticized by the Lebanon Banks Association, who just this Tuesday issued a letter calling the agreement “unlawful” and “unconstitutional”, as it will shift more loss onto commercial banks.

 

Sudan:

On Wednesday, the African Union denounced the inter-Sudanese dialogue meant to reestablish the transition government that existed prior to the military coup in 2021. The AU announced that these negotiations were opaque, and excluded several significant segments of Sudan’s civilian actors. While some civilians attended the first meeting, the Umma Party, the Resistance Committees and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FLC) boycotted the talks. Now, the negotiations have been postponed indefinitely. The negotiations were prompted by foreign donors cutting off aid to Sudan post-coup, thus forcing General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to pursue negotiations with civilian players.

Uganda:

On June 23rd President Musevini agreed to lift a ban on the Democratic Governance Facility, a civil society funding body, whose activities were suspended last year. It has been almost two years since he accused it of operating on a multi-billion dollar doner fund without the government being represented in its decision making structures. Musevini extends an invitation to speak with Danish investors who express interest in Ugandan Government representation. Additionally, after implementing one of Africa’s most strict lockdowns during Covid-19, Uganda’s economy is seen expanding between 3.8% to 4.5% by the end of June, as the easing of restrictions have helped the entertainment and education sectors to resume.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe public health workers have been on strike since monday, with the demand that they are paid $540 US dollars a month. In 2009, the local currency was decimated by hyperinflation, but was reintroduced in 2019 and has struggled to hold value against the US dollar ever since. Before 2018, healthcare workers were making $540 USD, and they are calling for this reinstatement. While the leader of government business in Parliament Ziyambi denied claims that the strike has crippled the country’s healthcare sector, and continues to refuse to pay salaries in USD, local healthcare professionals state the strike has been extremely successful. With a current unemployment rate of 90% and the continued rise of hyperinflation, a series of negotiations between Ziyambi and the strikers is yet to come.

Cuba:

Amid a growing economic crisis, Cubans are seeking to leave the country, yet, they are facing diplomatic and bureaucratic bottlenecks both at home and abroad. Since October, the United States has encountered more than 140 000 Cubans at its shared border with Mexico. In Colombia, Mexico, and Panama, to name a few, embassies are incapable of meeting the demand of Cubans attempting to secure travel visas. While Cuba blames the USA for priming the pump of illegal migration through its economic embargo, it has been cutting off consular services for its population. During the latest Summit of the Americas, of which Cuban representatives were excluded, the USA agreed to facilitate legal pathways for migrants, aiming to issue 20 000 visas to Cubans in Havan in the following year.

Nicaragua:

This week in Nicaragua, the repressive regime of President Daniel Ortega continues to drive people out of the country. Nicaraguans constantly fear the government as the opposition is silenced, people are forcefully removed from their jobs, newspapers and media outlets are highly controlled, and the rising economic state makes it harder for people to find employment. The harsh terrain, sweltering heat, and lack of necessities like food and water have caused over 30 known Nicaraguans to die. The dire situation of Nicaragua does not appear to be stopping anything soon, 111,000 people have been stopped at the US border this year, with numbers climbing every week. However, there might be hope for international aid as the UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet pleads to have access to the country to help manage the crisis.

Bolivia:

This week Diego Garcia Sayan, the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council, visited Bolivia. UNHCR has expressed concerns regarding the trial and conviction of ex-President Jeanine Áñez Chávez, saying that there were procedural issues and potential political interference. His report mentioned an alarming amount of corruption in the country’s judicial system. According to his report, the judges and lawyers sometimes take bribes, illegally interfere with cases, and face threats. The courts are very limited in their outreach, only concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural citizens ignored. Also, during the political crisis of Bolivia between 2019-2020 and even today, women faced violence, sexual assault, and femicide. These women and families have yet to receive justice. Sayan calls on the Bolivian government to reform its judicial system through new policies and enforcement.

The United States:

This past Tuesday, the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack held its fourth public hearing to investigate the 2021 Capitol attack and Former President Donald Trump’s involvement. Tuesday’s hearings focused on Trump’s attempts to pressure local elected officials during the 2020 election, and the committee brought in Republican witnesses Rusty Bowers, Brad Raffensperger, and Gabriel Sterling to testify. The outcomes of these hearings and the implications they will have on U.S. democracy remain to be unseen, but for now, the committee has expanded its case on potential criminal charges against Trump.

After two recent mass shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Uvalde, Texas, the US Senate took its first steps in decades to pass a bipartisan bill on gun control. Though the bill does not fulfill the demands of the Democratic Party, it proposes stricter background checks for individuals younger than 21.

 

China:

On Tuesday, severe floods forced thousands of individuals to evacuate their homes in southern China. Though the area is accustomed to heavy rainfall during its rainy season, state officials have reported that provinces in south China are experiencing their “highest rainfall since 1961.” The unrelenting rain and concerning floodwater levels have led to substantial economic damages, especially in the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangxi. According to the Vice Minister of Emergency Management, Zhou Xuewen, over 200 people are either missing or dead and 54,000 homes have been destroyed in the summer floods. This natural disaster comes as Chinese residents continue to struggle with the economic and social implications of China’s strict COVID-19 protocols.

 

Hong Kong:

Chris Patten, last British governor of Hong Kong, called the city’s transformation under Chinese rule “heartbreaking”, as the 25th anniversary of its handover approaches. Referencing the crackdown against the 2019 pro-democracy protests, Patten was reportedly distressed about the extent to which Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government disregarded the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which was meant to ensure the preservation of Hong Kong’s rule of law and civil liberties for another 25 years. The former governor joked about authorities’ “ludicrous” attempts to deny Hong Kong’s colonial history in new textbooks, saying “I do exist and I’m not a figment of my imagination.”

 

Indonesia:

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will meet leaders in Moscow and Kyiv following next week’s G7 summit in Germany. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the president will “keep pushing for the spirit of peace” as the war in Ukraine continues. Jokowi has condemned the war, though he denied Ukraine’s request for arms. The president appears to be concerned about the international impacts of the war and hopes to “…contribute to dealing with the food crisis caused by the war,”. Before the war, Ukraine was one of Indonesia’s biggest sources of wheat, so Jokowi, who is also this year’s G20 chairman, has invited both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and – despite resistance from Western states – Russian President Vladimir Putin to the November summit in Bali.

 

Myanmar:

On Thursday, it was announced that the former Nobel Laureate, and Myanmar’s deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was moved to solitary confinement in Nay Pyi Taw. Earlier, she was under house arrest. She has been sentenced to eleven years in jail already, and has been known to deny the charges levied against her by the military junta. She will be attending trial hearings from a special court inside the prison. Human rights groups continue to condemn and criticize the trials, which continue to be held behind closed doors. Both the media and the public do not have access to the trials, and Suu Kyi’s lawyers have been barred from speaking to the journalists.

 

Thailand:

On Monday, prominent opposition leader Piyabutr Saengkanokkul was charged under Thailand’s royal defamation law after issuing calls for reforms to the monarchy, making him the second former leader of the disbanded Future Forward Party to be charged under this law. Also known as the lese majeste law, it criminalizes all criticism of the royal family and carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison. The Future Forward Party was disbanded in 2020 for 10 years after a technicality, which was one of the causes for the wave of youth-led protests that began the same year.

 

Belarus:

Two activists were sentenced to 18 months and eight years in prison respectively after their involvement in protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko. Activist Lyudmila Ramanovich was found guilty of insulting Lukashenko for calling him a “usurper” in a letter to Belarus’ Investigative Committee, and criticizing Belarussian involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yauhen Lyulkovich was found guilty of inciting hatred and disrupting public order when participating in large street protests against Lukashenko’s electoral victory in August of 2020. Lukashenko’s suppression of opposition activists and evidence of election rigging have drawn condemnation and sanctions from the United States and European Union.

 

Georgia:

About 60,000 demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi on Monday calling for Georgia’s integration into the EU. The demonstration happened in parallel with EU leaders gathering in Belgium this week to discuss Georgia’s candidacy for EU membership, as well as for Moldova and Ukraine. While many Georgians want EU integration, the European Commission declared that it needed proof of political reforms before Georgia could be seriously considered as a candidate, as concerns about freedom of expression and human rights in Georgia remain a factor. Vocal pro-integration organizers highlighted similarities they saw between Georgians and EU citizens, saying “Freedom, peace, sustainable economic development, protection of human rights and justice are values that unite us all,” in a clear response to the Commission’s concerns.

Dear Friends,

This week we invite you to register for the FREE CANVAS Summer Academy happening 3pm Central European Time on June 6th, June 9th, June 13th, and June 16th. The sessions will occur on Zoom and are open to everyone! Come explore the global trend of military power grabs, the role of global civil resilience in countering invasion and war, how women’s activism is impacting the world, and the role of social movements in battling democratic backsliding. Learn more and register now at the link below!

Back to our regularly scheduled programming!
CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the latest updates on food shortages around the world, protesting elections in the Philippines, and arrests of foreigners in Iran.

Conflict Update:

The head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Matilda Boger, gave a press briefing on Tuesday regarding the situation of civilians in Ukraine. Boger reported that the UN has corroborated 7,061 civilian casualties, including 3,381 killed and 3,680 injured, though the actual figures are expected to be much higher. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) European chief said that at least 3,000 people in Ukraine had died due to a lack of access for treatments of chronic diseases. The WHO has documented 200 attacks on Ukrainian health facilities, leaving few functioning hospitals. People seeking treatment for HIV/AIDS and cancer have been particularly impacted.

Ongoing protests in Sri Lanka over the government’s failed response to the country’s largest economic crisis since independence have led to the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa is Sri Lanka’s former president and older brother of the current president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Protesters have held demonstrations for weeks, demanding the resignation of the Rajapaksa family, which has ruled on and off for decades. Police used tear gas and water cannons on Monday to disrupt violence outside the offices of the president and vice president, and ruling party supporters attacked anti-government supporters using sticks and poles. Local health authorities report that 217 people were injured as a result of Monday’s clashes and eight were killed. The defense ministry gave orders to shoot at anyone damaging public property or threatening lives, and President Rajapaksa announced broad powers for the military and police that allow them to detain and question people without arrest warrants.

Approximately 400 protesters, mostly students, gathered outside of the Commission on Elections in Manila on Tuesday following an unofficial tally that showed candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on track to win the presidency. Marcos is the son of the dictator that ruled the Philippines for twenty years before being ousted by a “people power” uprising in 1986. Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of incumbent President Rogrigo Duterte, is Marcos’s vice presidential running mate. Though official results of the May 9 election are expected at the end of the month, initial tallies show Marcos winning in a landslide victory that experts say could pose a significant challenge to democracy in the Philippines. The rule of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was marked by martial law and the torture of political opponents, though the Marcos family has spent decades whitewashing these crimes. Election observers have received thousands of reports of anomalies related to the elections, including malfunctioning voting machines.

Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist, was killed while covering Israeli raids in Jenin, a city in the north of the occupied West Bank. Al Jazeera said in a statement that Abu Akleh was “assassinated in cold blood.” The journalist was wearing her blue flak jacket marked clearly with the word “press” when she was shot in the head. Around 200 Palestinians gathered in protest in Haifa and Nazareth, holding signs that read: “Shireen Abu Akleh’s message will not fall.” Journalists and citizens gathered to mourn Akleh as her body, draped in a Palestinian flag and covered by her press flak jacket, was carried through the streets of Jenin. Akleh was a household name in Palestine and was one of the most well-known faces in the coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Afghanistan:

On Saturday, the Taliban government decreed that all women should cover themselves from head to toe and suggested the burqa as the preferred garment. However, it stopped short of mandating it as long as women covered themselves with a hijab. Since the Taliban have come back in power, women have been subjected to an increasing number of demands restricting their involvement in public life. It has been expected for some time that the return of a burqa style covering was the next step. Many women and activists have condemned this degree strongly. On Sunday, women were seen in Kabul in conservative dress, but most were in a traditional hijab, not covering their faces. The ones dressed in burqas were in the minority.

 

Iran:

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Iran on Thursday to meet President Ebrahim Raisi. This visit included talks on bilateral, regional, and international issues and that after this trip, President Raisi will travel to a Gulf country. Qatar is a strong ally of the United States and is seeking to play a behind-the-scenes role to mediate the nuclear dispute between Iran and the US. The Emir will be traveling to other European states afterwards in order to discuss the nuclear deal with Iran. The purpose of this trip is quoted to be bringing parties involved in the nuclear deal to “a new middle ground”.

As tensions between Sweden and Iran worsen, a Swedish citizen traveling as a tourist has been detained in Iran. Sweden’s foreign ministry said that the embassy in Tehran “was seeking information and is in contact with the local authorities”. Iranian authorities haven’t acknowledged the arrest. Prosecutors in Sweden have arrested and are seeking life imprisonment for Hamid Nouri, a former high ranking Iranian official. Nouri will be held in custody until his trial in June. The arrest this week, as well as the announcement last week of a possible execution of an Iranian-Swedish researcher are believed to be connected to the Nouri trial.

In addition, two French citizens have been arrested in what France calls a “baseless arrest” just before the EU envoy met Iran’s nuclear negotiator on Wednesday. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry says they were arrested on charges of planning to cause “chaos, social disorder, and instability”. Iran has been accused by many rights groups of trying to extract concessions from other countries by arresting their citizens and Western countries are calling them political prisoners.

 

Iraq:

Jim Fitton, a British national accused of stealing pottery shards in Iraq will be tried next week. Fitton was arrested in March after he was found in possession of pottery shards taken from an ancient site in Iraq. He is being charged based on Iraq’s antiquities laws and are potentially punishable by death. However, British officials and his legal team say that this is unlikely to happen. Fitton’s lawyer, Thair Soud had drafted a proposal to have this case closed before trials on the grounds that it could harm Iraq’s national interests by leading to a decline in tourism. Concerns over Fitton’s case grew after Shiite military groups published his passport details and accused the British government of intervening with Iraqi judicial procedures.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shelled militant bases in the Iraqi Kurdish capital Erbil. Local media reported that a shell landed in the village of Sidekan, nearly 60 miles away from Erbil. The Iraqi foreign ministry condemned the shelling, and a local official said that shells have occasionally hit this area in the past. According to Iranian state media, no casualties have been reported. In March, the Guards attacked “Israeli strategic centers” as revenge for Israeli air strikes that killed Iranian military personnel, but the Kurdish government said these attacks only targeted civilian areas and called for an investigation.

 

Lebanon:

On Monday, the World Bank approved a $150 million loan to help Lebanon fund the importation of wheat and keep bread prices stable for the next nine months. Lebanon is reliant on food imports and subsidizes bread in order to make it more available to the population. Since the economy crashed in 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost 90% of its value and the price of food has increased more than 11-fold. With the war in Ukraine, and the lack of silos to store wheat after the Beirut explosion, the bread shortage has intensified. A World Bank spokesperson said that this loan was meant to “finance immediate wheat imports…and help secure affordable bread for poor and vulnerable households in Lebanon”. The program still needs approval from the cabinet and Parliament.

 

Sudan:

May 11 saw 15 Resistance Committees in Khartoum State endorse a political charter establishing a unified political platform for the groups that lead the anti-coup protests.  The People’s Authority Charter reaffirms the signatory’s rejection of direct or indirect negotiation with coup leaders and their “determination to topple the putschists through peaceful resistance.” Additionally, the signatories will “repeal the Constitutional Document and [adopt] a temporary declaration based on the People’s Authority Charter” and “review all concluded agreements and decrees issued since April 11, 2019.” The charter requires the transitional period to last for two years and the term be extended by the Transitional Legislative Council. The legislators would also appoint the prime minister and their cabinet; these appointees would be held accountable by the council. The charter declares “The Transitional National Legislative Council is the supreme authority of the state.” The document further requires the formation of several commissions for transitional justice, peace and reform of the security and military entities, including limiting the powers of the National Intelligence Service and disbanding armed militias such as the Rapid Support Forces. Civil service and judicial positions will also be reformed. The resistance groups also recognized the at least 88 protesters who are detained despite the military’s pledge to release all political prisoners. The groups, human rights groups, and lawyers have called for the international community to put more pressure on the coup-leaders to release these “low-profile” detainees.

Uganda:

Uganda’s central bank is carefully considering digital currency and its implications for the general population. Cryptocurrencies have not been banned but service providers have been warned to progress slowly. Specifically the bank is worried about consumer protection for a population with low digital financial literacy, making them vulnerable to scams. Additionally, there are concerns about financial inclusion; there are low levels of internet infrastructure penetration. Necessary equipment like smart phones, computers and the internet has not widely penetrated rural Uganda and digital currencies could exclude those populations from participating in the economy. There are also concerns about how volatile cryptocurrencies can be which “undermines their ability to function as a store of value,” something extremely necessary for currency. The Bank is also considering if there is an issue being solved by rolling out a digital currency. There is no timeline for when the studies on these concerns will be concluded.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe is struggling with the massive inflation rate devaluing the domestic currency.  On Saturday May 7, the government put a stop to all lending by banks with immediate effect indefinitely. The move is meant to stop the rapid devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollars on the black market. This comes as food insecurity rises in the area. Not only is there increased competition between animals and people for precious resources such as water and maize, but the invasion of Ukraine has also interrupted the supply of grain imports. The devaluation of the currency, coupled with limited imports of key food supplies, drought, and increased wildlife encroaching on small farms is shaping to be a crisis of monumental proportions. One third of Zimbabwe’s population was already food insecure and the U.N. World Food Program is anticipating this number rising as global food commodity prices increased 23% in the last year and continue to climb even higher.

Cuba:

Following his international tour during which he denounced the treatment of political prisoners in his home country, Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas was detained, with his travels being intercepted by state security agents. During his trip, he traveled to Spain, Belgium, and the USA to address dissidents living in exile and the European Parliament. In the past, the human rights campaigner has gone on dozens of hunger strikes and spent years in Cuban prisons. Fariñas claimed that there are currently over 1 000 political prisoners in Cuba at the moment, many of them having been arrested during the government’s latest crackdown that the government accused of being a US-backed attempt at overthrowing the government.

While tensions continue to rise over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, food and medicine shortages, and overall price increases, another athlete has defected. The 30-year old Ismael Borrero abandoned his delegation in Mexico during the Pan-American Wrestling Championships. Recent months have seen an increase in defections, coinciding with the ongoing economic crisis. The government has arrested thousands during the protests that have taken place, and has stated that there is a sever indiscipline issue present in the Cuban sport system.

The Cuban government is working to enact a penal reform pre-emptaviely stop all displays of growing public discontent. Set to be approved on Saturday, this new code criminalizes the spread of “propaganda” and foreign fuding for activities that threatene the states’s security. Punishable by up to two years in prison, this law is being enacted to protect the system from all actions that might create a socially unstable climate. Unlike other draft laws, this one was drafted in secret and will not have a referendum or public consultation.

Nicaragua:

On Friday, Nicaragua enacted a new law that makes it more difficult for NGOs to register as it now requires them to obtain the government’s approval for their activities, and imposing new constraints such as providing detailed sources of funding, financial statement, and beneficiaries. The law also vaguely prohibits NGOs from “conducting political proselytizing and party politics”. This new legislation came into action the same week the National Assembly voted to take away the legal status of 50 civil society organizations for failing to comply with national legislation.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Daniel Ortega’s son, Laureano, reached out to the Biden administration to discuss sanction relief for his family. The Ortega family has largely avoided the imposed sanctions and in recent years, Laureano Ortega has helped his family consolidate power by fostering diplomatic relationships with high-level Russian and Chinese diplomats. A senior US State Department official was sent to Nicaragua to meet Laureano, but the meeting never took place as the Ortegas did not attend. As Russia can no longer give Nicaragua money, the Ortega regimes has had to turn to the USA to continue affording its lavish, authoritarian lifestyle.

Bolivia:

On Monday, a tear gas grenade that was set off during a university assembly and triggered a stampeted resulted in the death of four student, as well as 50 injured. The crime took place at the Tomas Frias University where students had gathered to elect new student body leaders. The four victims of the grenade were women.

Bolivian President Luis Arcee claimed that he may not attend the Summit of the Americas in June if some countries of the region are not invited, following in Mexico’s footsteps of objecting to the exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. After a meeting with Venezuela’s foreign ministers, Arcee stated that a Summit of the Americas that excused American countries is not a complete one.

The United States:

On Wednesday, Biden accused Putin and his war in Ukraine for the food supply shortage and food price increase. The President claimed that millions of tons of Ukrainian crops cannot be exported due to the invasion, and that American farmers are currently the “breadbasket of democracy.” He also promised to lower food costs in the USA and increase domestic food production, by means including a risky practice known as double-cropping.
For the first time since her detention at a Russian airport in February, the US Department of State has stated that the American basketball player Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained. A State Department official confirmed that envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, will lead a team tasked with securing her release. Griner was detained after a search of her bags revealed vape cartridges with oil derived from cannabis. The shift to claiming she is wrongfully detained signifies a change in supervision of her case that now focuses on negotiations to release the hostage as well as other Americans deemed wrongfully detained.

 

China:

Chinese social media have shut down the accounts of a market analyst that has shined light on the country’s slowing economy. After making negative forecasts on the Chinese stock market, Hong Hao, managing director and head of research at BOCOM International, saw his social media accounts frozen. The market analyst spoke to his 3 million followers about the effects of the government’s policies on the tech industry.

Earlier this week, Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the the World Health Organization, in consultation with Chinese experts, stated that China’s zero-Covid policy was unsustainable as it has important consequences on the population’s human rights.

 

Hong Kong:

John Lee was named Hong Kong’s new leader after a closed voting process in which he was the only candidate. Lee replaces Carrie Lam as Chief Executive, who had served in the role since 2017. The Beijing backed candidate has overseen the crackdowns against the pro-democracy protests in 2019. Hong Kong’s leaders are selected by a closed committee of around 1,500 members, although this time, there was only one contender for them to choose. Lee is incredibly unpopular in this role due to his support for the national security law, and has come under intense criticism for sanctioning police violence during the 2019 protests. According to many political analysts, his promotion from Chief Secretary is a sign that China intends to increase its influence in Hong Kong and focus on security. His role in the implementation of the national security law has led to sanctions against him by the US, and a YouTube block on his election channel. Before the polls opened, the League of Social Democrats, one of the few remaining pro-democracy groups, held a three-person protest against him.

On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s national security police arrested Joseph Zen, a 90 year old Cardinal, who is an outspoken critic about China’s Communist Party. Zen was one of four pro-democracy activists arrested by the police, under charges of collusion with foreign forces. The other three are Cantopop star Denise Ho, former lawmaker and barrister Margaret Ng, and academic Hui Po-keung. If the four are convicted, they could face maximum life sentences in prison. The police alleged that these four had endangered national security by asking foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong. All four were trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund which provided financial aid for activists during the 2019 protests. Their arrests are part of a probe into this fund over whether operations involved violations of the national security law. The Vatican has said they are “concerned” over the arrest of Zen and are following this situation closely.

 

Indonesia:

At the end of April, it was announced that Indonesia would ban the export of palm oil in an effort to protect domestic supply. However, Indonesians continue to experience un-affordable prices of cooking oil and other resources, which do not show any change since the ban. The price of palm oil has been rising since October 2021, and the two main reasons for the jump in prices are the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

 

Myanmar:

In an interview with FRANCE 24, acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG) Duwa Lashi La claimed that his People’s Defence Force combined with ethnic resistance groups control “almost 50 percent” of Myanmar.

Amnesty International is urging ASEAN leaders to put special focus on violence and human rights violations in Myanmar when they meet in the United States for a two-day summit in May. Human rights violations in Myanmar are a regional concern due to the deterioration of the country’s economy and forced migration into Thailand and Malaysia. As host, the Biden administration should center these discussions so that ASEAN Member States can create a more detailed blueprint for holding Myanmar’s military accountable and addressing urgent needs.

 

Thailand:

The Thai government is making plans to distribute one million free cannabis plants to households across the country in June. This effort will mark a new rule that allows people to grow cannabis at home after notifying their local government. The plants must be medical grade and used only for medicinal purposes. Recreational use of cannabis will remain illegal, and commercial use will require further licenses. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the intention was for cannabis plants to be grown like “household crops” as local laws around cannabis have been loosened in recent years.

Sixty-five not-for-profit organizations signed a joint letter to US President Joe Biden in regards to Thailand’s Draft Act on the Operations of Not-for-Profit Organizations. The Draft Act, which the Thai Cabinet approved in principle in January 2022, would limit the operations of non-profit organizations operating in Thailand. If the law is passed, many of the signing organizations would face penalties, such as investigations, public threats, and orders to shut down. The broad language used in the law would implement virtually no limits on what kinds of groups may be impacted. The letter asks President Biden to press the Thai government to withdraw the Draft Act and to ensure that other laws the Thai government proposes related to non-profit organizations adhere to international human rights law and standards.

 

Belarus:

Belarus’s opposition leader, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, recognized Belarus’ role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and stated that the people of Belarus are doing everything they can to counteract those forces. She also stated that without a free Ukraine there can be no free Belarus, explaining that if Ukraine wins in the fight against Russian occupation then the Kremlin will be weak thereby weakening the Belarusian Lukashenko’s regime and creating a space for protests and strikes in Belarus.

The couple arrested after Minsk forced their flight to land in Belarus in May 2021 is being sentenced. Sofia Sapega and her dissident boyfriend Roman Protasevich were aboard a flight from Greece to Lithuania when they were forced to reroute to Minsk due to a “bomb threat” much of Europe condemned as piracy by the Belarusian government. Sapega has now been sentenced to 6 years in prison. However, she is a Russian citizen and her lawyer says they will appeal to Russian President Putin for aid.

Georgia:

Former President Saakashvili’s health continues to deteriorate; on May 10, Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze proposed transfering Saakashvili to a civilian hospital for observation and treatment as needed, though Saakashvili supporters have demanded he be allowed to be treated abroad. On May 12th, Saakashvili was transferred to medical center Vivamedi, a civilian clinic in Tbilisi for examination to prevent any “possible complications.” Saakashvili agreed to go to the clinic if his conditions would be met. It is not known whether authorities met these conditions, however, the Justice Ministry “slammed” Saakashvili for the “ultimatums,” saying that he should accept the examination without conditions. Saakashvili was previously treated in Gori Military Hospital after his hunger-strike for treatment. At the end of April, doctors said that his condition had worsened since they last saw him in January, and that he was suffering from protein starvation, losing weight at the expense of muscle.

Dear Friends,

CANVAS is delighted to bring you another issue of our weekly report!

In this issue, we cover the latest updates on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, news from Belarus, and NGO shutdowns in Nicaragua.

Conflict Update:

As of May 3, 2022, the OHCHR has recorded 6,546 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 3,193 killed and 3,353 injured. Evacuations from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol are in progress. Russia has denied attempting to storm the plant, but Ukrainian forces inside the steelworks say that Russian attacks are continuing. At least 20 children are estimated to still be in the steelworks, amidst approximately 200 civilians, and their supplies are dwindling. The first group of civilians was evacuated from the plant on Sunday, and a third operation to evacuate civilians from Mariupol is scheduled to arrive on Friday. Mariupol is currently under the administration of the Russian-backed Donetsk People’s Republic.

On the final Friday of Ramadan, 42 Palestinians were injured by Israeli police in a raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. Police were reportedly responding to “rioters” throwing stones and fireworks, some of which were towards the Western Wall, a sacred Jewish site below Al-Aqsa. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested three people. Almost 300 Palestinians have been injured in similar incidents at the Al-Aqsa compound in the two weeks prior to this event.

Last Friday, a report was released that said the British Virgin Islands (BVI) should be effectively governed from London. Activists gathered on Monday, chanting slogans and holding signs saying “No UK rule.”  UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss justified the report by saying the recent arrest of BVI Premier Andrew Fahie shows a need for “urgent action.” BVI is currently self-governing, though an overseas territory of the UK. The UK supervises BVI’s defense and foreign policy. Anti-corruption activists have accused both the local government and London of turning a blind eye to illicit flows of foreign money through BVI.

Opposition lawmakers walked out of parliament and protesters blocked major roads in Yerevan to demand the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Protesters then gathered outside of parliament, shouting, “Armenia without Nikol!” and “Leave!”. Pashinyan has been criticized for Armenia’s loss of territory around Nagorno-Karabakh during the six-week war with Azerbaijan in 2020.

Afghanistan:

Two transmission towers were blown up on Saturday near Kabul, leaving millions of people in 11 provinces facing blackouts and a lack of electricity. These outages come just before Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Teams have been deployed by the state-run DABS electricity company to carry out repairs. According to Hekmatullah Maiwandi, the company spokesman, temporary repairs would restore power that night, while an additional two weeks would be required to complete a full restoration of the towers. Two suspects have been arrested over these attacks.

Heavy rain and flooding has killed 22 people in Afghanistan, destroyed hundreds of homes, and damaged crops in flash floods. The country currently faces a crisis of starvation, and with thousands of acres of land destroyed and hundreds of livestock dead, the humanitarian crisis is deepening. The rain was more severe in the northwestern regions of Afghanistan, but over a third of the provinces in the country have been impacted. Taliban officials said on Thursday that they are going to approach international relief organizations for aid with this crisis.

 

Iran:

A Swedish-Iranian national was sentenced to death in Iran for spying charges and will be executed by May 21st. Ahmad Reza Djalali is a disaster medicine doctor, and a researcher, and was arrested in 2016 while on an academic visit to Iran. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde tweeted that Sweden condemns the death penalty and demands that Djalali be released. This announcement comes just before the trial of Hamid Noury, a former Iranian official arrested by Swedish authorities in 2019. His verdict is due to be announced on July 14th.

On Wednesday, the US State Department said that due to the uncertainty, the US is now preparing equally for a scenario where there is a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, as well as one where there isn’t. In a briefing, Department spokesman Ned Price said “Because a mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA is very much an uncertain proposition, we are now preparing equally for either scenario”.

 

Iraq:

Jim Fitton, a retired British geologist, faces the death penalty after being arrested for taking pottery shards from an archaeological site out of the country. A German citizen was also arrested alongside him, but he has not been identified and his status is not clear. Officials and legal representatives familiar with Fitton’s case said he’s unlikely to receive the death penalty, but there is potential for the government to leverage this situation to shape public opinion against the British government. The pottery shards were collected on a tour to Eridu, where a representative from the Culture Ministry gave the tourists permission to take them as mementos. Fitton’s case gained attention when his family started a petition after being frustrated over perceived inaction on the part of the British Foreign Office. His lawyer has drafted a proposal to have the case closed before trial but requires assistance from the Foreign Office to publicly present it.

Clashes between the army and a Kurdish separatist militia caused thousands of people to flee their homes in Northern Iraq, and head towards the semi-autonomous Kurdish region for safety. These clashes erupted late on Sunday when the Iraqi military launched an operation to clear the region of YBS forces. This fighting intensified on Monday and spread to other areas in the Sinjar district. The Iraqi military said this operation was meant to clear roads of YBS checkpoints that were undermining Iraqi state authority. Soldiers came under heavy fire. One was killed, and two were reported injured. 12 YBS fighters were also killed.

 

Lebanon:

On Tuesday, Saudi-Arabia and France announced a joint development fund for Lebanon. This fund would pledge $30 million to support the country’s health sector, and increase food security. According to a statement put out by Saudi-Arabia and France, the funds would go towards humanitarian projects to provide emergency aid to vulnerable groups, improve access to healthcare, and support the main public hospital in Tripoli. The announcement of the fund comes after the return of the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon after a diplomatic spat between the two countries. The initial funds will be split halfway between the French Development agency and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

In the lead up to the Lebanese elections, many Sunni voters are unsure of how to vote, and some are even calling for a boycott of the elections. Saad Hariri, the former leader of the Future Movement, announced that he wasn’t going to run, and encouraged other Sunni politicians to boycott the elections. However, many have mobilized in an attempt to fill the space left by Hariri.

 

Sudan:

Another Sudanese protester was killed on Thursday. Security forces confronted anti-coup demonstrations in Khartoum and the protestor was run over by a security forces vehicle, according to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors. This death brings the anti-coup protest deaths to 95 since October 25.

Zimbabwe:

The Zimbabwe government is going to start favoring their own currency as opposed to United States currency to salvage their economy. Taking inspiration from the Russian policy of demanding payments in rubles since they were hit by sanctions, which kept the ruble from losing all value, Zimbabwe is demanding that foreign investors use Zimbabwe dollars for investment.

Cuba:

On Sunday, Cubans took to the streets in celebration of Labor Day for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The rallies were the biggest since the anti-government protests that took place in July 11 – the country’s largest protest since the 1959 revolution. President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the former revolutionary leader Raúl Castro were also present. The marches demonstrate a celebration of the 63-year-old Cuban revolution and a government-led reprimanding of the USA’s embargo on the island.

A US State Department official has stated that Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela will be excluded from the Ninth Summit of the Americas, hosted by the USA in June, as the summit will focus on the Western Hemisphere’s democracies. This statement comes just days after Cuba accused the USA of pressuring regional governments to block Cuba from participating in the summit.

Nicaragua:

In its latest crackdown, the Nicaraguan parliament has shut down another 50 NGOs. Since the beginning of 2022, the country has seen 144 NGOs banned. Among the ones banned on Wednesday are groups defending human rights, providing medical aid, and promoting educational projects. The country’s Interior Ministry has claimed that the organizations are being banned for having failed to submit their financial statements or disclose their directors’ names. Representatives of some of these NGOs have claimed they have attempted to submit the required documents but have been refused by the authorities. The government’s actions have been criticized by its former officials as well as the international community.

Bolivia:

Inmates in Bolivia’s overcrowded prisons will now be able to reduce their prison sentence by reading books. Inspired by a Brazilian concept, the aims are to increase literacy rates and give hope to the slow judicial process. The state program “Books behind bars” has been launched in over 45 prisons that lack the resources to pay for education, reintegration, or social assistance. While the time reduced from their sentence is small, occasionally only hours or days, the program nonetheless encourages inmates awaiting trial.

The United States:

The US Senate has announced it will vote next week on a bill to codify abortion rights into law.  Through a leaked Supreme Court draft majority opinion, it was discovered that the abortion protections in the country might soon be lifted. While Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision in 1973 that protected abortions, Congress never passed legislation to codify it into federal law. The Senate will be voting on codifying the right to abortion next week. The leaked draft demonstrated that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading many pro-choice groups to protest for their rights.

For the first time since her detention at a Russian airport in February, the US Department of State has stated that the American basketball player Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained. A State Department official confirmed that envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, will lead a team tasked with securing her release. Griner was detained after a search of her bags revealed vape cartridges with oil derived from cannabis. The shift to claiming she is wrongfully detained signifies a change in supervision of her case that now focuses on negotiations to release the hostage as well as other Americans deemed wrongfully detained.

 

China:

As of May 4, Shanghai official Covid-19 death toll was 491 following China’s pursuit of “zero Covid.” While the country’s financial capital has been on lock-down for over one month, it will soon open up, albeit gradually.  The five-week lock-down proved difficult and scarring for many of its citizens, and the government has shifted its goal from “zero Covid”, to “societal zero”, in which no positive cases emerge outside controlled quarantine areas. Shanghai citizens participated in a pot-banging protest, with officials claiming they had been influenced by foreign forces.

 

Hong Kong:

In the past year, Hong Kong has plummeted to 148th place on the Reporters Without Borders’ annual index on press freedom, a drop of 70 places in the span of a single year. Hong Kong, once lauded as a bastion of press freedom in Asia is facing increasing restrictions due to the national security law, and the revival of colonial-era sedition laws. Since 2020, three media outlets were forced to close their doors or suspend operations, and a dozen journalists have been detained so far. Leader Carrie Lam said that Hong Kong had a “vibrancy of press freedom” indicated by the number of regional and international institutions operating in the city. However, most of these organizations are either outright owned by the Chinese government, Chinese conglomerates, or people with business interests in China.

 

Indonesia:

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G20 summit in November, a summit which will also be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indonesia holds the G20 president and the summit will take place on the island Bali. Western nations have made efforts to isolate Russia since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. By inviting Ukraine to the summit, President Widodo presents a compromise that will balance Russia’s participation with the participation of Ukraine.

 

Myanmar:

Just one week after being convicted of a corruption charge and given a five-year prison sentence, ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing new charges. The new corruption case alleges that she took $550,000 in bribes from a construction magnate, charging her with two counts under Myanmar’s Anti-Corruption Act. Each count is punishable with up to 15 years in prison and a fine. Aung San Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to 11 years of prison on previous charges. The cases have been condemned by human rights groups and supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi as being attempts to discredit her and legitimize the military’s February 2021 seizure of power.

On May 1, Malaysia’s foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah proposed that ASEAN consider engaging with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), among other suggestions. ASEAN barred Myanmar’s coup leaders from their 2021 summits and from the February 2022 ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat in Phnom Penh.

 

Thailand:

A former guard for Thailand’s anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or “Red Shirts,” Sombat Thongyoi has been sentenced to six years in prison for lèse majesté and computer crimes. Sombat’s Facebook posts, which were about King Maha Vajiralongkorn and students from Thammasat University refusing to attend their graduation ceremony, were found to be insulting and defamatory to the monarch. Amnesty International called for the immediate release of Sombat Thongyoi.

Thailand and Japan announced a new defense agreement, which will organize the transfer of defense hardware and technology from Japan to Thailand. The countries will also upgrade their economic relations, and there were reported discussions of improvements in supply chains.

 

Belarus:

Stanislav Shushkevich, former Belarus leader, who was part of the three main people in announcing “the USSR as a geopolitical reality, and as a subject of international law, has ceased to exist,” died on May 4. He was 87 years old at the time of his death. He was also the man responsible for informing Mikhail Gorbachev that the USSR was no longer. Shushkev then led the independent Belarus state until 1994, losing the election to still president Alexander Lukashenko. He failed to win back the presidency in future campaigns and remained a harsh critic, even supporting mass protests against Lukashenko in 2020. During the August protests after the disputed elections, Shushkevich predicted that Lukashenko would be backed by the military and Moscow and manage to hold on to power.

The armed forces of Belarus began snap combat readiness drills on Wednesday announced their defense ministry. Ukraine responded that they would be ready for an attack from Belarus. The Belarusian authorities announced that public traffic may be slowed down but the movement of heavy machinery and vehicles poses no threat to their neighbors or the larger European community.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists were awarded the World Press Freedom Prize. The association was formed in 1995 as a non-governmental association to promote the freedom of expression and independent journalism in Belarus.

Belarus’ lower house of parliament approved a change to the criminal code to make attempted acts of terrorism punishable by the death penalty. The change comes after activists tried to sabotage parts of the railway network to make it difficult for Russian forces to deploy into Ukraine. The act requires the approval of the upper house and President Lukashenko before it enters into force.