Regions | Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Africa

Sudan’s Civil Society - Awadia Kuku with the ladies from the Women's Cooperative Union

Sudan’s Civil Society - Aspirant Revolutionaries Once More

Civil society has always played a key role in Sudan’s long ongoing struggle for political reform and the National Congress Party, which has ruthlessly clung to power for nearly 30 years, is cognisant of this.

Poster outside the office of NGLHRC / LGBTI

Decriminalizing homosexuality in Kenya

On the 24th of May 2019, Kenya's High Court will decide whether the sections of the Kenyan penal code that proscribe homosexual activity are unconstitutional. The Kenyan National Gay and Lesbian Commission (NGLHRC) has for years been fighting to repeal these laws.

By Caroline Kioko

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Asia

Talking about China in Myanmar

Report

As a direct neighbour to China, Myanmar plays a strategic role in the “Belt and Road Initiative”. In order to make this work in Myanmar’s highly fractured society, government needs to be more transparent, and parliamentarians and civil society need a greater say in the planning.

By Axel Harneit-Sievers

Filipinos trying to find their voting precincts.

The 2019 Philippine Elections: Consolidating Power in an Eroding Democracy

The outcome of the 2019 midterm elections in the Philippines displayed the domineering political influence of President Rodrigo Duterte, a crowded-out opposition, and the limits of his promise for genuine and meaningful socio-political change.

By Aries Arugay

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Europe

“Bitter experiences” reconsidered: paradigm change in Holocaust memorialisation

Analysis

The Holocaust narrative elevated the moral command of “Never Again” into a measure of universal integrity. But now a major paradigm change is happening in Holocaust memorialisation that will have a major impact on European identity.

By Andrea Pető

A Guide to the US Democratic Primaries

Article

The world is watching as the United States prepares for its next election marathon. Many Europeans want to know where the Democratic presidential hopefuls stand on issues from climate change or migration to regulating Big Tech. But where to start with more than 20 candidates? We try to cut a path through the US Democratic primary jungle.

By Hannah Winnick and Sabine Muscat

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Middle East & North Africa

America’s Iran Policy: Between War-Weariness and Military Escalation

Comment

Donald Trump is caught in a deadlock of his own making. He does not want to find himself responsible for a new war in the Middle East right in the middle of an election campaign. At the same time, he wants to look like a tough guy who never backtracks. This is what is making the situation so unpredictable.

By Bastian Hermisson

Iranian Youngsters gathering under Si o Seh Pol Bridge

Nerves on edge

Analysis

The escalating nuclear conflict between Iran and the United States is making life harder for Irans population. In particular, the emergence of a middle class is under threat.

By Omid Nouripour

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