Ever since its independence from Sudan in 2011, the newly formed state of South Sudan has faced social, political and economic instability despite the efforts of countless forms of humanitarian aid and support. Earlier this year, the United Nations declared famine in parts of war-torn South Sudan where around 100,000 people face starvation and millionsContinue reading “Famine, War, and Disease: Why South Sudan Cannot Catch a Break”
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Out of Sight Out of Mind: The Purge of Chechnya’s LGBT Community
Deep in Russia’s mountainous southwest lies Chechnya, a semi-autonomous and predominantly Muslim subdivision of the Russian state. Most of Chechnya’s modern history has been characterised by years of violent conflict both internal and external, failed independence movements, and a reputation for harbouring Muslim jihadists. The Muslim-majority republic has been devastated by two separatists’ wars withContinue reading “Out of Sight Out of Mind: The Purge of Chechnya’s LGBT Community”
An Education, Disrupted: Attacks on Schools in Pakistan
Since the Taliban seized control of Pakistan’s Swat Valley in 2007, they, and other militant groups in the area, have systematically campaigned against the region’s educational institutions, particularly those catering to girls, by way of violent attacks. Many of these attacks have been highly publicized, including the December 16th, 2014 Peshawar massacre that resulted inContinue reading “An Education, Disrupted: Attacks on Schools in Pakistan”
The “Quality Vandalism” of Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel
There is something subversive and secretive about graffiti—even when its artist is world-renowned. Banksy, an anti-authoritarian graffiti artist, understands this phenomenon. He skyrocketed to international fame in the early 2000s for his cutting edge masterpieces in spray paint, which led TIME magazine to name him one of the 100 most influential people in the worldContinue reading “The “Quality Vandalism” of Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel”
Human Rights and Business: The Corporate Accountability Paradox
Imagine if, one day, your local water supply suddenly started turning an acidic yellow colour. This is currently the case in the rivers near Zambia’s Copperbelt region. Fish are dying and the people are suffering. In 2015, toxic contamination from the London-based mining giant Vedanta Resources’ copper refinery reached such severe levels that the peopleContinue reading “Human Rights and Business: The Corporate Accountability Paradox”
Express Yourself: To What Extent Are We Free to Express Ourselves?
We express ourselves in a plethora of ways every day. We express ourselves in the way we dress, the societies we join, the friends we make, and even the supermarkets that we chose to shop in. This ability to express ourselves is fiercely protected within democracies, and is fundamental to our social and political lives.Continue reading “Express Yourself: To What Extent Are We Free to Express Ourselves?”
Protest and Corruption in Russia
On March 26, 2017, there were mass protests all over Russia in response to the publication of information regarding the estates and property owned by Dmitry Medvedev, the current prime minister of Russia. The details of these properties were published on the blog of Alexei Navalny, the current leader of the opposition in Russia, whoContinue reading “Protest and Corruption in Russia”
Green Authoritarianism? Human Rights and Environmental Reform in China
In February 2017 local officials in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, struggled to disperse protests against the construction of an aluminium plant in the city. Dismissing promises that it would increase employment in the city, residents were angry at the prospect of another polluting industrial project in their backyards. Similar demonstrations were seen against planned industrial developmentContinue reading “Green Authoritarianism? Human Rights and Environmental Reform in China”
UNICEF On Campus St Andrews Third Annual Symposium Panel Discussion
On Friday 7th April, UNICEF On Campus St Andrews held the opening event of their Annual Symposium, their largest fundraising event of the year. The Symposium, which this year carries the theme of Migration and Health, spans two days and features a panel discussion and a day of talks from speakers with a variety ofContinue reading “UNICEF On Campus St Andrews Third Annual Symposium Panel Discussion”
50 Years of Fear: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a popular market and restaurant area in central Tel Aviv, killing four people and injuring six. On Sunday, January 8, 2017, a Palestinian driver rammed a truck into a crowd of Israeli soldiers, resulting in the deaths of four people, while 17 others wereContinue reading “50 Years of Fear: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”
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