Academic
-
Central Asia: Between National Identities and Economic Dependencies
By Dilzhan Kaiypova Despite differences in language, religion, and culture overall, the USSR had been very successful in constructing a common identity that is well preserved in the minds of the people even after more than thirty years of its dissolution. As a prominent element of this identity, Russian is still spoken, especially by the…
-
The Failed Revolution? On the Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2023
By Alicia Tremel The images of the peaceful protests by Belarusians following the presidential election in August 2020 went around the world. The nationwide demonstrations were led by women, notably the trio of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava and Veranika Tsepkala and were characterized by impressive symbols. Women in white dresses carrying red flowers or the…
-
How the Georgian Civil Society Taught Us The Power of Will
By Ruxandra Ceangu On the 14th and the 22nd of February 2023, a radical faction in the Georgian Parliament, formed by ex-members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, proposed two versions of the “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” bill, which requires that nongovernmental organizations, print, internet, and broadcast media must register with the Justice Ministry…