This article is a contribution from Amit Singh, a visiting researcher at Lund University’s Department of Political Science. Views expressed in this article are the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UPF Lund and The Perspective. In the 2020 Human Freedom Index, which ranks civil, economic and
Bombs, Borders, and Blackmail – A look backwards and forwards at the turbulence in the Western Sahara
The Western Sahara, the territory on the Northwest coast of Africa which is sometimes called ‘Africa’s Last Colony’ due to its listing by the UN as a non-decolonized territory, has had an extremely turbulent year. From escalating violence in the South of the territory to diplomatic fights over international recognition,
Ten Years On: The Challenge of Rebuilding Syria
Photo: Freedom House, Flickr In the last ten years, Syria has suffered through a brutal civil war. This war has failed to uproot President Bashar al-Assad from power and instead left the country fractured and deeply wounded. This article will explore the challenges facing Syria when attempting to rebuild the
Rap, threats, and freedom of expression
On the 3rd of March 2021, the Swedish supreme court ruled that the musician and rapper Frej Larsson would not be convicted for threatening a public servant in his song “Då ska hon skjutas” (Eng.: “Then, she will be shot”). The song includes explicitly threatening lyrics about specific police officers,
By UPF Webzine
Articles/Conflict/Europe/Human Rights/International Relations/Leaders/Middle East/Realities of Human Security/UPF
Yemen’s crisis: seven years of bombstorms, seven years of stalemate
Ibrahem Qasim, Wikimedia Commons Ten years ago, an unprecedented wave of social movements, sparked by weariness, hope, and a yearning for liberty and justice, led to the uprooting of several autocratic regimes in the Arab world. The mantra “the people want the fall of the regime” inspired millions of people to
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Articles/Central America/Climate Change/Corruption/Democracy/Environment/Freedom of Speech/Human Rights/Realities of Human Security/South America/UPF
‘The future we want’ – The Escazú Agreement and environmental democracy in Latin America
More than eight years after the Rio Conference on Sustainable Development, the first legally binding agreement emerging from it will enter into force in April: the Escazú Agreement. It is praised as a unique treaty breathing new life into the fight for environmental democracy and justice in Latin America and
Myanmar’s Strife
John Owens (VOA), Wikimedia Commons Myanmar—or Burma, as it was known—is a country with a troubled history. The latest example of this came to light in February 2021, when a coup d’état took place, enabling a group of military leaders (otherwise known as a ‘junta’) to grip the reins of
Women in Leadership – Barriers to female political representation
European Parliament, Flickr When you hear the word “political leader”, what comes to mind? A man in a suit? Despite significant gains in female representation in powerful roles, such as New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, women remain dramatically underrepresented in political leadership positions. Of the world’s heads of state
Modi, Money, and Market Deregulation: India’s farming protests
Randeep Maddoke, Wikimedia Commons In August 2020, the Indian government made public their proposed new agricultural reform bills. These were met with anger from Indian farmers who, as a result, have been protesting peacefully since then. On January 26th 2021, these protests turned violent, subsequently gaining media attention and leaving
COVID-19 Vaccine Programs Shine Light on Global Health Inequality
U.S. Secretary of Defence, Flickr By September 2020, the world’s richest countries, which represent less than 15% of the global population, have bought over 50% of all available COVID-19 vaccine doses. What is more, high and middle-income countries have additional bilateral deals to administer further doses that exceed their actual