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CANVAS Weekly Update – December 1st, 2023

Posted on by Canvas User

Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

Since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated last Friday, November 24th, the pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas was extended twice, lasting a total of seven days before expiring Friday morning. Negotiations fell apart in the last 24 hours and another continuation of the pause was unable to be achieved. During the ceasefire, over 100 women and children held hostage by Hamas were released in exchange for over 200 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons. Critical aid was also able to flow into Gaza during the pause, providing much needed relief to Gazan civilians. Israel resumed its airstrikes on Friday.

Last Saturday, Russia launched its largest drone strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv since the war between the two countries began, in an attack lasting over six hours. Ukrainian air defense teams were able to prevent mass casualties and no deaths were recorded, but at least five were injured, including an 11-year old child. A massive winter storm ripped across parts of Ukraine and Russia earlier this week largely halting fighting, reportedly damaging logistics and supply routes for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Over 100,000 people were without power in Crimea while at least 14 people were killed across both Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine has begun to brace for increased Russian attacks on infrastructure as the war enters its second full winter, and Ukrainian officials worry the destruction of their energy architecture could deepen the existing humanitarian crisis.

Inside Russia this week, Russia’s top court labeled the “international LGBTQ public movement” as an extremist organization, opening the door for widespread prosecution. Given that there is no “international LGBTQ public movement”, prosecutors will have free rein to target individuals deemed to be a part of the “movement.”

In Italy, tens of thousands of people gathered the past weekend to protest violence against women amid the backdrop of the murder of a female university student earlier this month. With processions, runs, walks, flash mobs, sit-ins, and free gynecological examinations in three large cities in Italy – the goal was to raise awareness for gender-based violence and patriarchy in the country. Saturday was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which emphasized femicide and gender-based violence as a continuous major global problem.

 

Venezuela:

The Venezuelan government has announced that opposition candidates who are currently banned from public office can appear before the top tribunal to overrule their bans. The announcement happened due to an agreement made in November, between the government and the opposition, which resulted in the relaxation of sanctions imposed by the United States in exchange for democratic rules for the election in 2024. Concurrently, as part of the agreement’s stipulations, the government is required to release political prisoners and ‘wrongfully detained’ Americans.

 

Georgia:

This month, the Georgian Parliament adopted the first reading of an amendment to the Election Code of Georgia, which will include a provision that people with non-electronic identity cards will be able to vote in the elections next year. Politicians estimate the number of people with only a non-electronic ID at about 200,000 – 300,000. Civil society leaders have expressed concern about the amendment as it increases the possibility of election fraud because the non-electronic IDs are easy to fake.

On Thursday, the Georgian Parliament adopted amendments to the defense code. In addition to improving the social welfare of military personnel and decreasing the length of compulsory military service, it will remove the exemption for being a priest as one of the grounds for deferral of military service. A local watchdog, the Social Justice Centre, is concerned about the latter. Priests from the Orthodox Church are still exempt from the service, due to the 2002 Constitutional Agreement between the Georgian state and the Orthodox Church. Therefore, they consider the law discriminatory against minority religious organizations.

 

Thailand:

During the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, 32 Thai hostages were taken by Hamas. At the time, there were more than 30,000 Thai citizens in the country, mostly working in the agricultural sector. During the recent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, 23 Thai citizens were among the hostages released by Hamas. Nine remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Top Thai diplomat, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, emphasized in a recent interview that “the Thai workers are innocent, they are not involved in politics, they are not part of anyone’s conflict.”

 

Myanmar:

Myanmar and China are conducting joint naval drills amid the junta’s struggles against the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Myanmar, close to the Chinese border. Three Chinese vessels arrived in Yangon on a goodwill visit as part of China’s defense engagement. In recent weeks, the Three Brotherhood Alliance has made large gains against the junta, taking over more than 180 outposts and strong points.

CANVAS Weekly Update – November 24th, 2023

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Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

After weeks of negotiating, with Qatari officials mediating, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a temporary ceasefire ahead of a hostage release. Hamas has agreed to free at least 50 of the 240 total hostages taken during the October 7th attacks, and Israel will release 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons in exchange. Those freed by both sides will be mostly women and children. The pause in fighting began Friday morning, and the releases of both hostages and prisoners will take place over the next four days. The first set of releases will occur Friday afternoon. As part of the negotiated deal, increased humanitarian aid will be allowed to enter Gaza, providing much needed relief to the region that has been bombarded by Israeli missile strikes and war operations over the last several weeks. Aid will include large amounts of fuel, food, and water, though humanitarian groups have warned that a four day pause will not be enough to address the scale of the crisis in Gaza.

In a surprise visit to Kyiv and his first since April 2022, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine totaling $100 million. His visit comes amid increasing division among Ukraine’s allies regarding their continued support for the nation’s war effort against Russia, causing tension among top Ukrainian officials as a difficult winter of fighting approaches. During an address to leaders in the Group of Twenty (G20) on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believed it was necessary to think about how to stop the “tragedy” of the war in Ukraine, surprising many with some of his most dovish comments about the war to date. Fighting in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022 has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

 

Venezuela:

The Venezuelan government actively advocates for the referendum on the border dispute with Guyana that is set to be held on December 3rd. With music, videos, leaflets and more they try to convince the public to vote that the disputed area is part of Venezuela. Guyana has requested the International Court of Justice to stop the referendum, as the ICJ holds jurisdiction over the area, but the request yielded no results.

 

Georgia:

Considering Georgia’s aspiration to join the EU, the government has released an action plan for de-oligarchization. The plan entails multiple facets, including fighting corruption, an anti-money laundering policy, public procurement, monitoring financial activities of political parties, and more. According to the government, the plan is part of a larger set of actions to fulfill the EU’s conditions for Georgia to gain candidacy status.
In 2022, the Georgian Dream Party promised to lower the threshold from five to two percent for the parliamentary elections. However, they have now broken that promise for the upcoming elections. According to them, the statement was made in light of the EU deciding on Georgia’s candidacy status in December 2022. Since that decision did not happen at that time, they do not have to keep the promise. Opposition parties heavily critique their decision not to lower the threshold.

 

Thailand:

Over 200 Thai nationals trapped in the conflict between Myanmar’s military and ethnic minority groups are being rescued and repatriated by Thailand. The clashes, which have intensified in northern Myanmar, involve an alliance of ethnic-minority groups and pro-democracy fighters against the military coup regime. Thailand’s foreign ministry is evacuating 266 Thais from Laukkaing in the Shan state. This follows a previous repatriation of 41 Thai nationals.

 

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency amid a cholera outbreak, killing dozens and infecting thousands. The epidemic has been growing since October, recently peaking at over 500 reported cases every week. Subsequently, the outbreak has begun to spread outside of Harare, and is infecting rural Zimbabweans. The nation’s recurring cholera crises have been chalked up to poor government infrastructure, allowing sewage to seep into water sources.

CANVAS Weekly Update – November 17th, 2023

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Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

Protests erupted across Spain as tens of thousands voiced opposition to acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s amnesty deal with Catalan separatists in exchange for political support. The controversial agreement, including a law granting amnesty for 2017’s Catalonia secession attempt, triggered accusations of jeopardizing the rule of law for personal gain. Critics, led by the People’s Party, organized demonstrations in major cities, with Madrid’s gathering drawing 80,000 according to authorities. Protesters, waving Spanish flags, accused Sanchez of betraying democracy.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian and Russian officials both confirmed that Ukrainian troops have established a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, constituting a major advance for Ukraine’s now months-long counteroffensive. Ukrainian officials believe the latest operation will allow for new avenues of attack towards Crimea. This development comes as support for the war effort among Ukraine’s allies has waned over the past several weeks, which Ukraine hopes will change with more battlefield victories.

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for both the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza for “a sufficient number of days” to allow safe and unhindered access for UN agencies and partners to administer aid. Twelve members voted in favor of the resolution with none voting against and three abstentions (Russia, United Kingdom, United States). The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Gaza, as food, fuel, and water shortages are pervasive even in the better-supplied southern part of the region. More than 1.5 million are estimated to have been internally displaced in Gaza by the conflict, including close to 800,000 sheltering in over 100 temporary UN facilities.

Concurrent with the Security Council meeting, Israeli forces entered Al-Shifa hospital—Gaza’s largest—on Wednesday, combing through the complex over two days as they searched for Hamas militants and weapons. Israel has long claimed that Hamas uses the hospital and bunkers underneath the grounds as a headquarters (though Hamas denies this), and late Thursday the Israeli military said they had uncovered a Hamas tunnel shaft and a vehicle with weapons at the Al-Shifa hospital complex.

 

Iran:

Prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was released from prison following her posting of bail on November 15th. She has been arrested after attending the funeral of Armita Garavand, a Tehran teenager who was allegedly beaten then arrested on the subway for improperly wearing her hijab before succumbing to her injuries. Sotoudeh had begun a hunger and medication strike late last month over her own arbitrary arrest and the conditions of her detention.

Over the weekend, the U.S. launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian facilities in Syria killing an unknown number of militants. The airstrikes come on the back of increased strikes on U.S. forces in the Middle East and fears of a greater regional conflict.

 

Venezuela:

Venezuela stated to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that they will continue with their referendumregarding the disputed oil-rich areas between Guyana and their state. This week, Guyana’s request that the court halt the vote organized by Venezuela yielded no results. In April, the ICJ ruled that the court has jurisdiction over the border issue, however Venezuela announced in September that they will hold a referendum to let their people decide on the issue.

 

Georgia:

Negotiations have continued this week between Georgian and Russian representatives in Geneva concerning border delineation between Abkhaia, South-Ossetia and Georgia. Following the death of a Georgian nationalat the hands of Russian forces near the border with South-Ossetia, Russia demanded that Georgia mark their official borders with the contested enclaves on Wednesday. A new round of negotiations between the two parties is slated for December.

 

Myanmar:

Ethnic minority insurgent groups launched attacks on security posts in Myanmar, intensifying conflict on two new fronts. The Arakan Army (AA) seized positions in Rathedaung and Minbya, while fighting erupted in Chin State bordering India. Myanmar’s military junta, facing a significant challenge since the 2021 coup, claimed the country was at risk of breaking apart due to the rebellion. Thousands sought refuge in India as violence escalated. The junta faces an overextended military and growing opposition. Analysts warn of challenges as rebel forces probe weaknesses on multiple fronts.

 

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwean opposition activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya was found dead after being abducted during a political campaign near Harare, according to the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Masaya, campaigning for CCC ahead of the upcoming by-elections, was reportedly tortured and left on the outskirts of Harare. His body was discovered in a mortuary by CCC members. This marks the second recent abduction of an opposition party member, following the attack on CCC lawmaker Takudzwa Ngadziore. Zimbabwe’s recurring political violence has prompted opposition claims of involvement by the ruling ZANU-PF party. Authorities are now conducting a formal investigation into the recent abduction and killing, underscoring persistent concerns over political stability in the nation.

CANVAS Weekly Update – November 10th, 2023

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Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

Over the past two weeks, thousands have protested across Panama against a new mining contract between the Panamanian government and Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals. The protests intensified in Panama City on Tuesday this week, when two people were killed by an unknown assailant, though a suspect was taken into custody. Proponents of the mine say the project will provide a much needed stimulus to Panama’s economy, but opponents are against the increased extraction of  natural resources. The protests are the largest in Panama since the National Civic Crusade of 1987.

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, elected to a five year term in 2019 that would end in 2024, ruled out holding a vote next spring and said this week that he believes “that now is not the right time for elections.” Elections in Ukraine are banned when the country is under martial law, which it has been since Russia first invaded the country in 2022. In his address on Monday, Zelenskyy cited the war and the necessity for national defense and unity, urging Ukrainians to avoid political divides and that they must concentrate all resources on fighting Russia.

On Monday, the Gaza Health Ministry said the death toll in Gaza had surpassed 10,000 since the Israeli assault on the region began following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,400 people. This week, Israeli troops on the ground in Gaza advanced into the heart of Gaza City, further engaging in direct combat with Hamas fighters.

Support for Israel has continuously waned over the last month of the conflict, as governments across the world have been intensifying their calls for a cease-fire, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. The US, Israel’s closest ally, has also begun to more forcefully push Israel to commit to humanitarian pauses in the fighting. Thursday, Israel agreed to begin daily 4-hour pauses to allow Gazans to continue to flee south down designated corridors. In response to Israeli comments that Israel would be responsible for security in Gaza indefinitely after the war, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken refuted this idea, saying there should be “no reoccupation of Gaza after the conflict ends.”

 

Iran:

Nobel Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi began a hunger strike on Monday protesting both the denial of her request to be transferred to a hospital amidst her poor health as well as the nation’s strict hijab laws. Mohammadi had been denied hospital treatment because of her refusal to wear a hijab. By Thursday, Mohammadi was transferred to a hospital outside of the notorious Evin prison where she was being held and had ended her hunger strike. Doctor’s earlier in the week had described her condition as “unfavorable” and her husband, Taghi Rahmani emphasized her need for urgent medical attention.

 

Venezuela:

Venezuela objected to the decision by the ICC to continue an investigation into alleged human rights abuses by Venezuelan officials. In June, the ICC ruled that Venezuela’s own investigation was not enough and therefore they took further action. The investigation would re-examine the actions by security forces in 2017, when large demonstrations against the government were held. The security forces are accused of torture, arbitrary arrests and abuse. The government stated that they already investigated these claims and concluded that there were no large-scale crimes against humanity.

After the US eased sanctions on Venezuela, oil firms have revived production and new agreements are signedbetween oil firms and energy companies. It is expected that incomes from this industry will arrive gradually. If the sanctions relaxations continue next year, it could improve popular support for the government ahead of elections in 2024, as it will positively impact Venezuela’s economy.

 

Georgia:

On Wednesday, the EU’s executive recommended granting Georgia candidate status, which was warmly welcomed by the President and Georgian citizens. The Presidential administration started a petition called ‘Our voice to Europe’ in which they request European leaders to vote for the Georgian candidacy status in December. It can be signed online or in person at the Presidential Palace.

On the border with Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia, Russian troops killed one Georgian citizen and detained another, according to Georgia’s prime minister. On Friday, Levan Dotiashvili, the civilian that was arrested, was released. It is the first fatal incident in the region since the war in 2008. The line of control remains undefined and it is not the first time a civilian has been arrested.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders concluded her official visit to Georgia on Tuesday. During her visit, she met with governmental representatives, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and many more people from civil society. She found that many human rights defenders do not feel supported by their government. Moreover, she addressed the SSSG’s allegations against CANVAS about a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Upon reviewing the footage of CANVAS workshop, she noted there is nothing in the video that in any way supports the allegations made against CANVAS and participants. In her final briefing, she praised the strong civil society in the country and was critical towards the government.

 

Myanmar:

The People’s Defense Force, a coalition of loosely organized resistance groups, captured the district capital of Kawlin in the Sagaing region. The region has been a focal point of armed resistance, prompting the military to launch brutal airstrikes, displacing numerous residents and causing widespread destruction. Over 50,000 people have been displaced in the region due to violence.

Earlier in the week rebel groups scored a large series of victories in the northern Shan state against junta forces. The Three Brotherhood Alliance, a similarly loosely organized force of various ethnic groups, took control of 100 military outposts and a series of strategically important highways in the region.

Junta forces and the Russian navy held joint training sessions off the western coast of Myanmar. Russia has continuously sold weapons to the ruling junta in Myanmar, providing 400 million USD worth of ammunitionin their civil war against an amalgam of various armed ethnic groups.

CANVAS Weekly Update – November 3rd, 2023

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Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

On Monday, the United Auto Workers union in the US reached a tentative agreement with General Motors (GM) to establish record pay increases for union members. After a six-week campaign of coordinated walkouts and labor strikes, the new deal with GM follows similar accords struck in recent days with Ford Motor Company and Stellantis. These new deals are significant victories for US auto workers who have faced years of static wages and substandard labor contracts since the 2008 recession. If ratified by union members, the agreement with GM will effectively end the strike.

Over the weekend, Israel expanded its operations in northern Gaza, beginning the long-expected ground invasion, though the military has avoided using that term. Concurrently, Israel has continued its campaign of air strikes, adding to an already horrifying civilian death toll. The Israeli military struck the Jabalia refugee camp of Gaza over the course of two days, claiming to have killed a senior Hamas commander in the process. Given the high number of civilian casualties during those airstrikes, United Nations human rights officials said the operation in Jabalia could be a war crime.

On Wednesday, the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip was opened, allowing certain foreign nationals and severely injured Palestinians to enter Egypt. Aid trucks have been entering Gaza through the crossing since October 21st, but Wednesday marked the first time that people were allowed to leave Gaza since the full siege of Gaza began. More people are expected to continue to exit Gaza through the crossing in the coming days.

In Ukraine, Wednesday marked the largest instance of Russian shelling of settlements in a single day all year—over 100 villages came under fire within 24 hours. Ukraine also reported an attack on an oil refinery in Kremenchuk, lending to fears among Ukrainian leaders that Russia will escalate its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure leading up to the winter, as it did last year.

 

Iran:

Prominent human rights lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, was arrested and beaten in Iran after attending the funeral of Armita Geravand. Sotoudeh is known for her support of women who have been wrongfully detained for violating Iran’s strict hijab laws.  Sotoudeh was accused of “violating hijab rules” and “acting against the psychological security of society”. Geravand was recently declared brain dead after being arrested on Iran’s subway system for violating the state’s hijab rules. Witnesses claim that officers pushed her and hit her head, causing a cerebral hemorrhage.

Recent 2023 Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi’s husband has claimed that his imprisoned wife has been denied much needed access to medical care over her continued refusal to wear a hijab. Despite prison doctors urgent transfer orders, prison officials continue to refuse the hospitalization request. Mohammadi has continuously voiced opposition to the Iranian regime and their strict hijab laws.

 

Venezuela:

The Venezuelan supreme court has suspended the primary election results, which came in last week. They have ordered the opposition to hand in all documents related to the elections, including candidate registration and voter records. The opposition is concerned that the government will use the documents to undermine next year’s elections. After the court ruling, citizens protested in Caracas and demanded the release of all political prisoners. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the government by holding up signs of their loved ones who have been detained for political reasons.

 

Georgia:

Georgian NGOs have appealed to the European Commission to accept Georgia’s EU Candidate status. They stated that they represent the citizens’ will and interests to join the EU and they will continue to fight for democratic improvement in Georgia.

 

Myanmar:

A group of human rights researchers have launched a website, myanmar.securityforcemonitor.org, to document and connect state violence and human rights abuses in Myanmar to their perpetrators. The project aims to establish accountability by connecting alleged crimes to senior army commanders through a timeline of  documented atrocities. This initiative is another step in the efforts to put the junta in front of international courts, where they can be charged with war crimes and held accountable for their actions.

The United States have tightened sanctions against Myanmar, imposing new financial restrictions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), the junta’s main revenue source. This indicates a different approach from Washington, who previously targeted members of leadership. These sanctions were coordinated with the United Kingdom and Canada, who both agreed to maximize pressure on the Myanmar military regime.

A coordinated offensive code-named Operation 1027 has been rolled out along the Chinese-Burmese border. The attacks were organized by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, consisting of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’Ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA). The objective of this plan is to defend territory against Myanmar military incursions, combat online fraud, and eradicate junta

 

Zimbabwe:

On Wednesday, a 25-year-old Zimbabwean opposition and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator, Takudzwa Ngadziore, was abducted and assaulted by a vigilante of unidentified armed individuals. The incident occurred as Ngadziore was walking to parliament, and the attack was posted via live video on Facebook. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has labeled this as politically motivated violence. A police report was filed, and there has been no response from the ZANU-PF government or the police. The incident follows the recent abduction of another CCC legislator, Womberaishe Nhende, who after release, fled the country.

 

Thailand:

Thailand’s top diplomat, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nakara, was in the Middle East earlier this week seeking the release of at least 23 Thai nationals among the over 240 hostages held by Hamas. At least 30,000 Thai laborers work in Israel, mostly in the agricultural sector and many in the south of the country, close to Gaza. Bahiddha-Nakara was in contact with representatives from Iran, Qatar and Egypt to send requests to Hamas to free the imprisoned Thai nationals.

CANVAS Weekly Update – October 27th, 2023

Posted on by Canvas User

Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

Activists have taken to the streets in Iceland to push for an end to unequal pay and gender-based violence. The 24-hour strike took place on Tuesday, and the absence of women workers was supported by public institutions. Public transport was delayed, hospitals only accepted emergency cases, and schools were closed down. In certain sectors, including childcare and education, women comprise the majority of workers but are undervalued, and in others, women make 20% less than men. Activism runs deep in Iceland—between 70,000-100,000 women (nearly a third of the country’s population), including the prime minister, were present during the protests.

On Thursday and Friday, small sets of Israeli tanks and troops twice entered northern Gaza before withdrawing shortly afterward. Officials called the operations preparation for “the next stages of the war.”While a ground invasion still seems imminent, many of Israel’s allies are advocating for Israel to delay a widespread ground operation. US officials have said a delay would allow for more time to negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza, allow increased aid into Gaza, and provide Israel’s military with time to refine its military objectives. Four hostages held by Hamas have been released since last Friday, but Hamas still holds over 200 hostages taken during their initial attack on October 7th, and further negotiations are ongoing.

Israel continued to bombard Gaza with devastating airstrikes this week in its efforts to target Hamas fighters and military infrastructure. The Gaza Ministry of Health reports a total death toll of over 7,000 as of Thursday, of which nearly 3,000 are minors. In response, leaders across the international community have called for a ceasefire or for humanitarian pauses. At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, European leaders called for a halt to the fighting between Israel and Hamas to establish humanitarian corridors and get desperately-needed aid into Gaza.

EU leaders met in Brussels on Thursday for a summit that, while largely dominated by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, also sought to ensure that the war in Ukraine does not slip from the top of the bloc’s political agenda—officials have expressed that any distraction from Ukraine would play into the hands of the Kremlin.The summit comes as the EU’s diplomatic position on the conflict in Ukraine has shown signs of unraveling, as both Hungarian President Viktor Orbán and the newly elected Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, have been criticized recently for their more pro-Russia stances. According to Slovak media, Fico said at the summit that he would not back further military aid for Ukraine nor support further sanctions against Russia.

 

Iran:

Amidst fears about a widening conflict across the Middle East, U.S. forces struck two weapons and ammunition facilities used by Iranian backed militias and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp in Syria. Since the onset of the conflict in Israel and Gaza, U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq have been targeted 19 times by Iranian backed groups in the region. Iran’s foreign minister warned that the U.S. would not be spared if the Israeli campaign against Gaza continued while speaking to the UN on Thursday.

 

Venezuela:

The opposition in Venezuela held primaries last weekend. Maria Corina Machado, a former lawmaker, has won with a landslide. The question remains whether she can run for the Presidency next year, as the government banned her from running this June. The agreement between the government and the opposition made last week might give room for her ban to be lifted.

 

Georgia:

On October 26 and 27, the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum was held, where international political and business professionals come together to discuss trade. At the forum, the Georgian Prime Minister stated that Georgia deserves to get EU membership candidacy status. Moreover, the Armenian Prime Minister presented a ‘Crossroads to Peace’ project, amidst Armenia and Azerbaijan almost reaching a comprehensive peace agreement. The project aims to reopen railroads that have been closed for decades, between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

 

Myanmar:

Grievances against the junta have been formally filed in a Philippine criminal court. On Wednesday, five victims from Myanmar’s Chin state came together to make a statement, discussing and condemning a mass arson attack from September 2021, where 250 citizens died and 60,000 civilians were driven toward the Indian border. The complaints have been filed under the 2009 International Humanitarian Law Act, which states that international courts have jurisdiction against militant groups who commit acts of genocide or war crimes. The filing is essential to bringing the military government in front of an international court, where accountability and justice can bring peace to victims.

 

Zimbabwe:

Members of the opposition party have decided to boycott the upcoming Parliamentary elections. The elections come after 15 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliament members were ousted due to fraudulent statements made by an unknown third-party, who claimed that the members have abandoned their political party. Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition party, claimed that the by-election is a “criminal” effort by the ZANU-PF party to gain parliament seats. The election places the CCC in a precarious position, if members run for reelection, they are legitimizing the suspension. A case challenging the recall of the MPs will be heard on 2 November.

CANVAS Weekly Update – October 20th, 2023

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Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

As the bombings in Gaza continue, the humanitarian situation has become increasingly alarming. On the evening of Tuesday 17 October, the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was hit with an airstrike, killing hundreds of people. Whereas the Hamas-controlled Palestinian authorities blamed Israel, Israel claims it was not the Israeli Air Force that hit the hospital, but rather an errant missile strike from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The hospital bombing raised fury all over the world. Regional allies condemned Israel for the explosion, which increased tensions in the region. Moreover, people have taken to the streets across the world over the past week to protest the violence, in support of both the Israeli and Palestinian causes.

Amidst this atrocity, Biden visited Tel Aviv on Wednesday, showing the US’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas terrorism. The US works to prevent the war from escalating into other areas, as European officials are concerned with a spillover of the conflict into other countries. A condition to Biden’s visit was a humanitarian package, which included open corridors into Gaza to allow for humanitarian aid and safe areas for Palestinian civilians. Egypt’s President had agreed to open up the Rafah Crossing and allow aid to enter Gaza. Over a 100 trucks with aid have been waiting on the Egyptian side of the border since Thursday. The Crossing was set to open up on Friday 20 October, but it has not yet been opened. The Crossing is of high relevance to everyone in Gaza, as it is the only exit that does not lead into Israeli territory.

Ukraine fired a series of aerial assaults on Russian air bases in the occupied regions of Luhansk and Berdyansk using the newly acquired, long-range, ATACMS. The ATACMS have long been promised to be delivered by Washington, but specific dates remained secret for fear of Russian interception of the missiles. Kyiv has continuously requested greater military support and more advanced weapons from Washington and European allies. ATACMS in the Ukrainian arsenal provide Kyiv with a greater ability to strike further into the heart of Russian forces because of their long-range nature. Kyiv has promised Washington not to use the missiles against targets inside Russia’s internationally recognized borders.

A Russian offensive on the Eastern Ukrainian towns of Andriivka and Kupiansk, located in the Russian-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, has continued this week. Russian forces have made minimal and costly gains on the small towns. Kupiansk was recaptured late last year in a lightning Ukrainian offensive while Andriivka has long held out from Russian interference dating back to 2014.

 

Iran:

The European Parliament announced that Mahsa Amini would be awarded the Sakharov Freedom Prize for Freedom of Thought. Amini died while in police custody after being detained by the notorious morality police for improperly wearing her hijab. Her death sparked mass protests across the country and posed the biggest threat to the regime since its founding. The European Parliament declared that they “proudly stand with the brave and defiant who continue to fight for equality, dignity and freedom in Iran”.

On October 18th, The U.S. Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions on actors in Iran and elsewhere working for Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle and missile programs. A spokesman for the Treasury Department claimed that “the persons designated today have materially supported Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), or their subordinates in the production and proliferation of missiles and UAVs.” The move comes in the wake of Hamas’ horrifying assault on Israeli territory last week and questions about Iranian involvement and military support to the group.

 

Venezuela:

After successful negotiations between Maduro’s representatives and the U.S., the Venezuelan government recommenced talks with the opposition. Under the promise of the U.S. to relieve some sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry, Maduro’s government has taken steps toward holding democratic elections in 2024. They have signed a deal with the opposition which established rules for the elections. Sunday, the opposition holds primaries to find a candidate behind which they can unite. On Thursday, the five prisoners were released by the Venezuelan government as part of the talks. Among them were also well-known opposition leaders. The first steps within the deal have thus already been taken.

 

Georgia:

On Monday 16 October, the top Georgian Court ruled that Zourabichvili’s unauthorized visits to European leaders were indeed in breach of the constitution. She retains her role as President, but is now forbidden to get involved in Georgia’s foreign relations without permission of the government. On 18 October, the parliament held a plenary session regarding her impeachment after which they voted. Zourabichvili started the session by stating that the court ruling “will be remembered not as a victory for the rule of law, but as a consolidation of one-party supremacy over the judicial system.” The impeachment failed, as 86 members of Parliament voted in favor. 100 votes for the impeachment were necessary in order for it to succeed.

The government has also aimed to change the broadcasting law. The new law allegedly should regulate hate speech and calls to terrorism. However, the law would expand the powers of the National Communications Commission and therewith expand the powers of the ruling party.

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Myanmar:

Myanmar’s military government hosted a gathering with ethnic rebel groups to commemorate the eighth anniversary of a multilateral cease-fire agreement. The meeting marks the first formal gathering since the military takeover of Aung San Sui Kyi’s elected government in February 2021. Although most rebel groups were in attendance, three signatories – Karen National Union, Chin National Front, and All Burma Students’ Democratic Front – boycotted the event. The allied forces stated that peace talks cannot take place, as there is no legitimate government, no constitution and no parliament. The groups continue to oppose and abstain from discussion with the junta until their pro-democratic demands have been met.

Further discussion of Rohingya repatriation took place on Tuesday, where delegates from the United States, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Bangladesh and more negotiated funding and the introduction of policies favorable to Rohingya refugees. The U.N High Commissioner for Refugees urged the international community to provide additional support, as he stated that Myanmar has received less funding due to crises in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Middle East.

 

Thailand:

New Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrived in China on Monday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders at the third annual Belt and Road Forum. Srettha have been bullish on Chinese investment in Thailand amidst a poor economic recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic. The conference marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a program to enhance China’s investments in international economies and the global supply chain, all the while promoting Chinese influence abroad.

CANVAS Weekly Update – October 13th, 2022

Posted on by Canvas User

Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

On the morning of October 7th, a group of Hamas militants from Gaza attacked more than 20 bordertowns in Israel, killing at least 1,300 people, injuring over 3,000, and taking at least 150 hostages back into Gaza. The attack was unprecedented, not only in its brutality but also because of its completely surprising nature. Israelis were left shocked and questioning how their military and intelligence services, considered among the best in the world, could have been so unprepared for the complex assault. Israel has responded with a series of airstrikes on Gaza over the last 6 days, and Israeli authorities have said they plan on engaging in a “complete siege” of the region in order to completely destroy the Hamas fighters responsible for the attack. Israel has also formed an emergency wartime unity government and war cabinet that includes the leader of the main opposition party. After cutting off Gaza’s access to fuel, water, and food throughout the week, Israeli officials on Friday ordered for 1.1 million civilians to relocate from Gaza’s north to the south in 24 hours to avoid Israel’s plans to “operate significantly in Gaza City” in the coming days, creating fears of an extreme humanitarian disaster. Those in Gaza administering humanitarian aid have said there is no possibility that that many people could evacuate safely in such a short amount of time. Since the beginning of the airstrikes, the death toll in Gaza has climbed past 1,500, thousands more are injured, and over 400,000 people have been displaced.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to NATO headquarters in Brussels, making a personal pitch to over 50 defense leaders for continued military aid and to maintain their support in the war against Russia. This was his first visit to the headquarters since the beginning of the war. His visit comes amid waning political support in the United States for continued aid, particularly among Republicans, and new pressure on allies to send weapons to Israel to bolster the nation’s war with Hamas. Following the meetings in Brussels on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyed Austin announced a new $200 million military assistance package to Ukraine, including air defense and rocket ammunition. Austin also said at the NATO meeting that the US had the capacity to support both Israel and Ukraine.

A series of powerful earthquakes struck the western region of Afghanistan near the city of Herat, first on Saturday and then Wednesday. While the death toll for Saturday’s quake initially was recorded to be over 2,000, Afghan authorities on Wednesday lowered it to about 1,000, citing double counting by rescue organizations and logistical difficulties had created confusion. Hundreds more are injured, and the UN and several nations pledged to provide support.

 

Iran:

In the wake of the unprecedented Hamas assault on Israel, questions have arisen as to the extent of Iranian involvement. On the day after the initial attack, Iranian President Ebrahim Riasi spoke with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders by phone according to Iran’s official state-run news outlet, IRNA. Prior to the attacks, Iran had been in close contact with Hamas leaders, hosting talks in Iran in April. Around the same time, Esmail Qaani, the head of the notorious Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, held secret meetings in Lebanon and Syria with the heads of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah where he supposedly discussed the need for greater attacks on Israel.

A Wall Street Journal report published on October 8th, claimed that Iran directly helped plot the attack while the Revolutionary Guard Corp gave the final green light in a meeting in Beirut on Monday, October 2nd. Mahmoud Mirdawi, a senior Hamas official, argued that the attack was “a Palestinian and Hamas decision.” Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations did blame Iran for the attacks, even if their support was indirect, arguing that “the proxies of Iran in [their] region, they tried to be coordinated as much as possible with Iran.” Hamas received 70 million worth of military aid from Iran in 2022. Later in the week, new intelligencepublished by American sources suggested that Iranian leaders were surprised by the attack on Sunday, casting further doubt onto direct Iranian involvement.

 

Venezuela:

Following the election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in 2018, in what many Western observers believed to be a sham election, sanction campaigns against Venezuela were ramped up. Negotiations between Maduro’s representatives and the U.S. are currently taking place in Doha to discuss the state of Western sanctions and the upcoming 2024 election. There remain significant oil reserves under the oversight of the U.S. that are being released as debt repayment to ease the crippled Venezuelan economy. In the wake of a rising number of Venezuelan refugees arriving at the southern U.S. border, President Biden announced that he would recommence deportations to Venezuela after granting a temporary protected status to Venezuelans who arrived before July. The deportation agreement between Venezuela and the U.S. comes amidst progress in U.S. – Venezuelan talks in Doha.

 

Georgia:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Georgia from October 10 to October 13. He met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. They discussed the economic cooperation between the two countries, the Black Sea strategic submarine electricity cable project and Georgia’s possible accession to the European Union (EU). Regarding the last topic, both Prime Ministers expressed support for one another in this process and complemented each other on safeguarding traditional values and traditions. The European Commission makes a decision about Georgia’s possible candidate status later this year. Hungary supports Georgia’s accession.

 

Myanmar:

At least 29 people, 13 of which being children, have been killed in an artillery strike on a displaced persons camp in north-east Myanmar. The camp is located in a region controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization, an insurgent group which has fought for independence for decades. The attack is one of the deadliest in the region, and responsibility has yet to be claimed.

Over 14,000 civilians have been evacuated as a result of extreme floods. Myanmar’s Bago and Kyaikto townships were heavily affected by the floods, which disrupted traffic and public transport throughout the southern region. The flooding, caused by heavy monsoon rains, broke rainfall records in Bago, which recorded 7.87 inches (200 millimeters) of rainfall. Civilians are taking refuge in dozens of relief camps set up in the cities until further notice.

 

Thailand:

At least 20 Thai nationals have been killed in the Hamas attack on Israel that began on Sunday according to Thailand’s foreign ministry. Spokeswoman for the ministry, Kanchana Patarachoke, also claimed that 14 Thai nationals had been taken captive by Hamas fighters and are being held hostage in Gaza. In August of 2023, there had been at least 4,500 Thai nationals in Israel, most working as farm laborers with many located in the south close to the border with Gaza.

 

Zimbabwe:

15 Members of Parliament belonging to the main opposition party have been suspended from parliamentary sessions. The Citizens Coalition for Change’s Secretary General was falsely represented by an unknown entity, and a letter penned by him was submitted to the Speaker, declaring that all 15 MPs were no longer affiliated with the CCC party. When the validity of the letter came into question, the ZANU-PF party leader declared that the seats will remain vacant. This action has been criticized heavily, as the ZANU-PF party has been accused of nepotism and alleged electoral fraud within the last month.

CANVAS Weekly Update – October 6th, 2023

Posted on by Canvas User

Dear Friends,

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

Following CANVAS representatives’ visit to Tbilisi at the end of September, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) recently published fabricated allegations against CANVAS. The accusations are a part of a larger smear campaign conducted by the Georgian security service that has targeted foreign and local civil society organizations in the country. The series of allegations comes amidst unproven claims that civil organizations are planning uprising and coup attempts in the coming months. The full CANVAS response to the SSSG can be found here.

Conflict Update:

At least 51 people were killed on Thursday in a Russian missile attack on a village in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The strike appeared to be deliberately intended to induce mass civilian casualties, targeting a local cafe and store and resulted in what may be one of the biggest civilian death tolls in any single Russian strike since the beginning of the war 19 months ago.

On Thursday, a drone attack on a military academy in Syria left at least 100 dead and hundreds more injured. Both civilian and military personnel were among those killed in the attack, and the Syrian defense ministry blamed “terrorist organizations supported by well-known international parties” in a statement given on Thursday. The statement did not specify a responsible organization, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Also on Thursday, the Kurdish International Security Force said at least 11 people were killed by Turkish airstrikes in multiple Kurdish-controlled locations in northeastern Syria. The Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement it destroyed 30 targets and “neutralized” multiple militants from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) during its operation, citing its self-defense rights from the United Nations Charter to justify the strikes. The attack follows a bombing in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, over the weekend that was claimed by the PKK.

 

Iran:

Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, was physically assaulted and apprehended by the Iranian Morality Police on the Tehran metro on October 1st after allegedly improperly wearing her hijab. She was taken to an Air Force Hospital outside of Tehran and remains in a coma. Anonymous sources have confirmed that Garavand is suffering from internal bleeding in the brain and is in critical condition. Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported that Garavand passed out over a drop in blood pressure and hit her head. Security camera footage appears edited and does not show any footage of Garavand passing out or being assaulted. One year after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Morality Police, Garavand’s case appears to have stark similarities.

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize on October 6th. Mohammadi has been influential in campaigning for women’s rights in Iran. Mohammadi is currently serving a 10 year sentence following her role in the mass protests that immediately followed the death of Mahsa Amini 1 year ago. She has been able to continue her work from prison, albeit with limited capacity. In September, Mohammadi published a New York Times opinion piece from prison.

 

Venezuela:

In the 2018, Nicolás Maduro won reelections which were generally considered fraudulent. Due to the invalid results, the National Assembly appointed Juan Guaidó the country’s interim president. He was recognized as the rightful leader of Venezuela by more than 50 states. Now, the Venezuelan state has issued a warrant against Guaidó, accusing him of benefiting himself with state money.

 

Georgia:

On October 2nd, Georgia’s government accused a former deputy interior minister, currently fighting in Ukraine, of aiming to overthrow the government. The ruling Georgian Dream party provided no evidence. Kyiv responded to the allegations claiming that the government was “trying to demonize Ukraine” for domestic reasons.

In an extensive attempt to quell opposition forces, the Georgian parliament has voted to effectively ban the use of tent camps during public protests. The Georgian government claims that the “temporary structures” pose a threat to protestors and interfere with public order and security. Furthermore, the Parliament imposed strict consequences, ranging from 500 GEL to imprisonment for a duration of up to 15 days. The reaction to the implemented legislation was negative, as the law is referred to as “New Russian Law. Protests took place in front of the parliament building on the evening of October 5. Tent camps were formed, and two protestors were arrested. Tent camps are an effective method of protest, as it nonviolently disrupts daily life, grabbing the attention of those in power and spreading awareness to other civilians. Those protesting were fighting for the freedom of assembly and expression, democratic rights that are infringed upon in the nation.

The Constitutional Court of Georgia started a hearing on the impeachment of the President. In early September, the Georgian Dream party vowed to impeach the President based on her visits to European Union countries without the government’s permission. The Constitutional Court of Georgia initiated the hearing on October 3.

Lastly, the leader of Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with Vladimir Putin on October 4th. A day later he indicated that they signed an agreement with Russia to establish a naval base on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia. On the Russian side, there has been no confirmation or denial of the agreement. Bzhania stated that the base will increase the level of defense capability for both Russia and Abkhazia. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the action. Abkhazia is recognized as an independent state by only five states in the world.

 

Myanmar:

On Monday, the junta assassinated a businessman who they claimed helped supply arms to opposing guerilla groups. Nyan Lwin Aung allegedly had deep ties to an executive official at Russia’s Defense Ministry, and there was leaked footage of the two meeting in Russia. Unfortunately, this assassination is one of many in the nation, as the junta continues to target anyone with influence, ranging from low-level civil servants to backers of the military government.

 

Thailand:

A teen was arrested and charged in Bangkok on Wednesday after shooting randomly at a crowd at the Siam Paragon shopping center. Two people were killed and five were injured. The teen was alleged to have had a mental breakdown prior to the shooting and stopped taking prescribed medication. The incident is the latest in a disturbing rise in gun violence that has plagued the country over the past three years.
Friday marked the one-year anniversary of Thailand’s most deadly shooting at a daycare center in the northern province of Nong Bua Lamphu. A ceremony marked the rampage by a police officer which killed 36 people, including 24 toddlers. New prime minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to address the recent spate of shootings in Thailand, a country that has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world.

 

Zimbabwe:

At least nine miners have been killed after a gold mine collapsed in Chegutu, a village around 120 kilometers west of Harare. Rescue efforts have been slow, as the shaft is still unstable and entering would put additional lives at risk. Officials have estimated that the death toll could rise to 13 fatalities in the coming days. Due to the struggling economy, illegal mining has become more common, and takes place under hazardous conditions.
The government has imposed limits on social gatherings to curb a recent cholera outbreak .It is suspected that there has been over 100 deaths, as well as 5,000 possible infections, in the last month. In certain provinces, a 50-person limit has been implemented at funerals to stop the spread, and attendance at open markets and large gatherings have been strongly discouraged.

CANVAS Weekly Update – September 22nd, 2023

Posted on by Canvas User

Dear Friends,

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

Conflict Update:

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced on Sunday through his social media that Ukrainian forces recaptured the key village of Klishchiivka, located in the Donetsk region of the country. Klishchiiva is located in the larger Bakhmut area, which has been a central focus for Ukraine’s counteroffensive this summer in the eastern regions. Overnight Wednesday, a wave of Russian missiles struck several Ukrainian cities, in the largest series of missile attacks since mid-August.
Following a dispute between Ukraine and Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia regarding agricultural import bans, Poland announced they would no longer be supplying Ukraine with weapons. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki maintained that Poland was helping Ukraine defeat Russia by providing a military hub, but would not agree to Poland’s markets being affected by grain imports.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, President Zelenskyy urged global leaders to remain united against Russian aggression. Later in the week, Zelenskyy visited US President Joe Biden and other American Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., effectively securing $325 million in new US aid.

After thousands were killed in eastern Libya last week during catastrophic flooding, protests began Monday calling to hold leaders across the divided country accountable for the bursting of the dams that caused the flooding that some feel could have been avoided. In particular, protestors called for the removal of Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the eastern-based Libyan parliament who angered many after he deflected blame for the disaster from those who oversaw the city’s infrastructure.

In Khartoum, Sudan’s capital city, videos shared online on Sunday showed the Greater Nile Petroleum Oil Company Tower engulfed in flames. An iconic building situated on the Nile River, it and several other buildings caught fire or were destroyed as a result of violence in the country triggered by a power struggle between the leaders of the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict began in April of this year and has killed around 7,500 people and displaced more than five million.

Governing authorities in Nagorno Karabakh accepted a ceasefire and surrender proposal made by Russian peacekeepers on Wednesday, following a military operation launched by Azerbaijan the day before. Nagorno Karabakh, a landlocked region lying within Azerbaijan’s borders, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, who comprise the majority of its population and reject Azerbaijan’s rule. Following the ceasefire, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said the military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh was “successful” in restoring Azerbaijan’s “territorial integrity.”

 

Iran:

Five Americans who were being held in Iran arrived back on American soil this past Tuesday. The Americans—Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Sharghi, alongside two other unnamed prisoners—were part of a deal that saw the release of five Iranians in US custody as well as the release of nearly 6 billion in sanctioned Iranian oil revenue that had been tied up in South Korea. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, speaking in New York at the UN General Assembly, told reporters the deal was “a step in the direction of humanitarian action” and a deal that “could definitely build trust.”

While in New York, Raisi spoke to the UN General Assembly. He directly addressed the United States and his desire to renew the 2015 Nuclear Deal that President Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of in 2018. Strong US sanctions as a result of nuclear activity in Iran have crippled the economy and exacerbated local crises as the administration has faced the toughest calls in decades for drastic overhaul to their rule. Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Ergan walked down the aisle holding a photo of Mahsa Amini during Raisi’s speech before being removed by security.

The Iranian parliament has approved a hijab bill, further enforcing the strict dress codes on all Iranian citizens, especially women. United Nations experts have stated that the bill violates fundamental rights, and is creating a gender apartheid in Iran. The bill was passed less than a week since the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.

 

Venezuela:

In 2024, presidential elections will be held in Venezuela. The UN-backed Human Rights Council reported that while moving closer to the elections, repression increases and democratic freedoms decrease. A notable development is that three key opposition politicians were banned from running in the elections.

 

Georgia:

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) accused Giorgi Lortkipanidze, an ex-member of the Georgian government, of plotting to oust the current government. Lortkipanidze allegedly now works for the Ukrainian military intelligence, and the relations between Ukraine and Georgia are sharpened as Georgia continues their relations with Russia. In December, the EU decides on whether Georgia is granted a candidate status. Lortkipanidze would be plotting to polarize the youth and plan anti-government protests. The event is an example of how the war in Ukraine affects international relations, particularly in the old Soviet spaces.

 

Myanmar:

Twelve people have been reported missing after a boat capsized in the Chindwin River. The vessel came from further north, and was carrying goods for people living in Panset village. Chindwin River flows through the heavily occupied region of Sagaing, where resistance groups control the area and the locals. However, underground Myanmar media groups have claimed that over 100 people sank on the vessel. Rescue operations have been deployed, and the search for those on board is still ongoing.

 

Thailand:

Following his return from self-exile and arrest last month, Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had his 8-year prison sentence commuted to one year, and officials reported this week that he may be eligible for parole as soon as February of next year. Thaksin was removed from power via military coup in 2006, and fled the country shortly after. He was tried and convicted in absentia in cases related to charges of abuse of power, conflict of interest and malfeasance.

 

Zimbabwe:

The European Union has suspended all financial aid to Zimbabwe’s electoral body, a result of international criticism regarding Zimbabwe’s highly contested presidential election. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been funded by the European Union since 2022, and the organization has contributed $4.7 million in order to increase the ZEC capacity and ability to carry out legal and honest elections. The withdrawal of funds by the EU is a large action in the international pushback of the highly contested election, which saw Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reelection and the appointment of two of Mnangagwa’s family members to deputy roles.