Pakistan’s cybercrime law: boon or bane? Published: 14 February 2018 While the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act aims to counter rampant online harassment and terrorist content, it drew criticism for severely impacting citizens’ rights to expression and privacy. By Farieha Aziz
How social media is changing Afghan society Published: 14 February 2018 Social media has played a critical role in influencing change in Afghanistan. The potential anonymity of the internet offers great opportunities for women. By Sayed Asef Hossaini
Aadhaar: the Indian biometric ID system has potential but presents many concerns Published: 14 February 2018 The Indian national identity system, Aadhaar, was set up to empower disadvantaged groups and enable digital innovation. However, it has sparked protests. By Sushil Kambampati
Introduction Published: 14 February 2018 Over the last years, Asia has undergone an impressive digital transformation. Large parts of the continent have turned from the world’s factory into a creative industry. Digitalization has become a driving force of social and economic change. This certainly means more opportunities for innovation and growth for many countries. However, on the flipside, if new technologies are in the wrong hands they can also be used as a mean to abuse power. By Fabian Heppe
ASEAN’s Double Vision of Migration Published: 4 February 2018 Although ASEAN’s new consensus document on migration is a giant step towards safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, it still sticks to putting skilled professionals and lower-skilled migrants in separate silos. By Johanna Son
“A good refugee policy has to be a good host community policy” Published: 5 January 2018 Interview Prof. Alexander Betts on his new study on Syrian refugees in Europe and the political consequences that their exclusion from the labour market might have. By Jelena Nikolic
Women’s Manifesto on Peace, Security and Political Participation Published: 30 December 2017 This manifesto shares the thoughts, expectations, concerns and recommendations of Afghan women in relation to women’s political participation, their role in security sector as well as their engagement in peace process in Afghanistan.
Hungary 2017: Detained refugees, persecuted NGOs, lack of legal certainty Published: 29 December 2017 Hungary has reached a point where people fleeing from war and persecution can be detained, beaten and deprived of their rights, while those who endeavour to help them are cast as national security risks. By Nóra Köves
The Current State of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in Pakistan and the Way Forward Published: 26 December 2017 A small group discussion concerning Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was held at the office of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung (hbs) Pakistan in 2017. Experts from the field of environment and former government officials who had been part of the EIA process were brought together. Some environment journalists were also in attendance.
Pakistan Climate Change Web Portal Published: 22 December 2017 Portal launched The “Pakistan Climate Change Portal” is an online repository of Pakistan-specific knowledge on the subject of climate change. It has been developed by the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), a registered consortium of civil society organizations working for climate action in Pakistan, and made possible with financial assistance from Heinrich Boll Stiftung and European Union.