Josef Benedict
@josefroy2.bsky.social
📤 128
📥 98
📝 66
Asia-Pacific Researcher with the CIVICUS Monitor -
https://monitor.civicus.org/
reposted by
Josef Benedict
New York Southeast Asia Network (NYSEAN)
12 days ago
Arts and Resistance: Cultures of Expression, Censorship, and Resilience | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Date: March 4, 2026 | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET Type/Location: Virtual
buff.ly/3KlSQCb
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#HongKong
: The state of
#civicspace
remains 'closed'. In recent months, repression persisted with the Jimmy Lai conviction, silencing of commentary or criticism of the Wang Fuk Court deadly fire & criminalisation of an activist’s father More here:
web.civicus.org/HongKongFeb2...
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Hong Kong: Repression persists with Jimmy Lai conviction, silencing of commentary on deadly fire and criminalisation of activist’s father - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/HongKongFeb2026
12 days ago
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#Cambodia
: Today we add the 5 environmental activists from Mother Nature movement - who have spent more than 600 days in jail - to our
#StandAsMyWitness
campaign. Protecting the environment should not be a crime. We call for their immediate release.
web.civicus.org/SAMW-MNC
14 days ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
CIVICUS
15 days ago
🎧To kick off a new season of
#CIVICUSVoices
, we explore how corruption and failing power systems has left millions without dependable electricity. From 🇿🇦#SouthAfrica to 🇵🇷#PuertoRico communities are mobilising to keep the lights on:
web.civicus.org/civicusvoices
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
CIVICUS
18 days ago
🇱🇦🗳️
#Laos
: On Sunday over 4.7 million citizens to vote in national and provincial elections. A look at the state of civic freedoms in the country:
web.civicus.org/Laos
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#Nepal
: As
#elections
draw near, there is still no accountability for the violent crackdown on
#protests
by the security forces in September 2025, while
#civicspace
violations persist More here:
web.civicus.org/NepalFeb2026
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Nepal: Still no accountability for violent crackdown by security forces as civic space violations persist and election draws near - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/NepalFeb2026
19 days ago
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#China
: The state of
#civicspace
remains 'closed'. In recent months, the Xi Jinping regime has continued to target
#activists
and
#journalists
, repress ethnic minority
#Tibetans
and
#Uyghurs
, pursue foreign critics and crackdown on underground
#churches
More here:
web.civicus.org/ChinaFeb2026
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China: Xi regime targets activists, journalists, ethnic minorities, foreign critics and underground churches - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/ChinaFeb2026
23 days ago
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#Bangladesh
will be holding elections on 12 February, following the 2024 protests that removed the previous regime. We highlight the state of
#civicspace
in the country which the new government must address when it comes to power:
web.civicus.org/BGD
27 days ago
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#Myanmar
: The state of
#civicspace
remains 'closed' five years after the coup. Around the recent
#sham
elections, the junta criminalised criticism of the polls, banned rallies and restricted the press. Thousands of activists remain in jail.
web.civicus.org/MyanmarFeb2026
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Myanmar: Election law and other forms of repression used to target dissent against sham elections, five years on from coup - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/MyanmarFeb2026
about 1 month ago
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As
#Indonesia
starts its presidency of the UN Human Rights Council, we call on the authorities to keep to their human rights commitments, and to release all activists including
#humanrights
defender Delpedro Marhaen who has spent 5 months in detention
www.freedom-now.org/cases/delped...
about 1 month ago
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#Myanmar
: 5 years from the coup,
#civicspace
has been crushed by the junta. CIVICUS calls on
#ASEAN
& the int'l community to do more to end the repression against activists, release political prisoners & ensure accountability for crimes by the junta.
civicus.org/index.php/me...
about 1 month ago
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#Singapore
: The state of
#civicspace
remain 'repressed'. In recent months the government has denied entry to an
#activist
, blocked a news outlet & targeted a comedian under the
#POFMA
law and questioned a filmmaker More here:
web.civicus.org/SingaporeJan...
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Singapore: Activist blocked from entering country while critics and news outlets targeted - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/SingaporeJan2026
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
CIVICUS
about 2 months ago
As 🇮🇳
#India
marks its 77th Republic Day on 26 January, CIVICUS highlights the ongoing detention of activists on politically motivated charges under anti-terror and national security laws for their human rights work.
#StandWithCivilSociety
#RepublicDay
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#Bangladesh
: Despite reforms, concerns remain on the use of anti-terror laws against the
#opposition
& critics, mob attacks on the
#media
, cultural spaces and crackdown on
#protests
Our new
#civicspace
update:
web.civicus.org/BangladeshJa...
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Bangladesh: Despite reforms, concerns remain on the use of anti-terror laws, attacks on the media, cultural spaces and crackdown on protests - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/BangladeshJan2026
about 2 months ago
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#Thailand
: Ahead of
#elections
, the authorities have continued to prosecute
#activists
& critics for royal
#defamation
while
#humanrights
defenders face harassment and intimidation Our latest
#civicspace
update:
web.civicus.org/ThailandJan2...
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Thailand: Harassment and prosecution of activists and critics persist as elections loom - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/ThailandJan2026
about 2 months ago
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#India
: The state of
#civicspace
remains rated as 'repressed'. In recent months,
#protesters
were targeted,
#activists
criminalised & systematically denied
#bail
. There were internet shutdowns & social media accounts were blocked. New update here:
web.civicus.org/IndiaJan2026
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India: Civic freedoms remain at risk with crackdown on protests, internet restrictions and denial of bail to activists - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/IndiaJan2026
about 2 months ago
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🚀 Join us on 9 December (12:00 GMT) as we launch new country ratings & global data on the state of civic freedoms 🔴🟡🟢 Researchers to discuss key countries of concern, top violations & 2025 trends. Register:
web.civicus.org/PPUA2025Launch
3 months ago
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Second day of the
#ICSW2025
begins with CIVICUS highlighting the upcoming sham elections being pushed by the junta in
#Myanmar
and a call for action
4 months ago
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New brief on
#SriLanka
by CIVICUS reviewing the
#civicspace
record of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a year since he came to office. Concerns remain on the targeting of
#activists
&
#journalists
and restrictions on expression and peaceful assembly.
web.civicus.org/SLBriefSept25
6 months ago
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#Nepal
: Youth-led anti-corruption
#protests
forced political change, despite a lethal crackdown by security forces that left scores dead. Protesters and civil society are now demanding for
#accountability
and
#reforms
Our latest
#civicspace
update:
web.civicus.org/NepalSept2025
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Nepal: Anti-corruption protests force political change despite violent crackdown - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/NepalSept2025
6 months ago
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#China
: The state of
#civicspace
remains 'closed'. In recent months, the regime has continued to criminalise
#activists
, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against
#protesters
More here:
web.civicus.org/ChinaSept2025
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China: Regime continues to criminalise activists, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against protesters - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/ChinaSept2025
6 months ago
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#Afghanistan’s
#civicspace
has collapsed, CIVICUS Calls for Urgent Action at the UN Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session, Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan with the Special Rapporteur
www.civicus.org/index.php/me...
6 months ago
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#India
: The state of
#civicspace
is rated as 'repressed'. In recent months, the govt has continued to deny bail to
#activists
detained under the UAPA, ban books in
#Kashmir
, block social media and crackdown on protests. More here:
web.civicus.org/IndiaSept2025
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India: Ongoing detention of activists without bail, criminalisation of dissent and ban on books - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/IndiaSept2025
6 months ago
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#Myanmar
: Repression including
#torture
and death of political prisoners and targeting of
#journalists
continue, as junta announces sham elections Our new
#civicspace
update:
web.civicus.org/MyanmarAug2025
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Myanmar: Repression including torture and death of political prisoners continues as junta announces sham elections - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/MyanmarAug2025
7 months ago
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#Bangladesh
: A year after the fall of the regime, positive steps have been taken to improve
#civicspace
. However, our new brief shows that more must be done to protect
#activists
&
#journalists
, repeal restrictive laws & strengthen
#accountability
More here:
web.civicus.org/BDbriefAug24
7 months ago
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#Thailand
: 5 years ago, activist Arnon Nampa was arrested for participating in a protest. He now faces 29 years in prison on multiple charges, primarily for royal defamation. We call on Thai authorities to release him & drop all charges. See chronology here :
web.civicus.org/Timeline-Arnon
7 months ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
CFHK Foundation
7 months ago
📰NEWSLETTER:
#HK
diaspora media mergers,
#TransnationalRepression
of
#HongKongers
in the spotlight and World Justice Project comes under fire for helping
#HongKong
authorities whitewash repression. Read it in full:
thecfhk.org/transnationa...
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The CIVICUS Monitor has added
#Indonesia
to its watchlist. It assesses that within Indonesia, instances of state intimidation, legal manipulation, and the violent suppression of dissenting opinions are rampant, placing the nation's civil space in a concerning state.
en.tempo.co/read/2034134...
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Indonesian Civil Liberties on CIVICUS Watchlist
CIVICUS Monitor includes Indonesia in its watchlist. Prabowo Subianto's government is deemed to suppress civil liberties.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2034134/indonesian-civil-liberties-on-civicus-watchlist
7 months ago
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The new CIVICUS Monitor
#civicspace
Watchlist, launched today, highlights serious concerns regarding the exercise of civic freedoms in El Salvador, Indonesia, Kenya, Serbia, Turkey and the United States of America . More here:
web.civicus.org/WatchlistJul...
7 months ago
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A joint UPR submission by CIVICUS and the Melbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) where we assess
#Australia’s
compliance with its international human rights obligations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society and civic space Submission here:
www.civicus.org/documents/up...
8 months ago
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#Indonesia
: The state of
#civicspace
is rated as 'obstructed' In recent months, the
#Prabowo
government has targeted
#humanrights
defenders & journalists, cracked down on
#protests
& pushed problematic law revisions More here:
web.civicus.org/IndonesiaJul...
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Indonesia: Civic space regresses with targeting of activists, brutal crackdown on protests and problematic law revisions - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/IndonesiaJuly2025
8 months ago
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An op-ed I co-wrote, on the increasing use of restrictive laws to jail
#humanrights
defenders across the Asia region
thediplomat.com/2025/07/repr...
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Repressive Laws Are Increasingly Being Used to Silence Activists Across Asia
From Hong Kong to India, governments are passing and weaponizing new laws to pursue and jail whoever speaks up for human rights.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/repressive-laws-are-increasingly-being-used-to-silence-activists-across-asia/
8 months ago
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#SriLanka's
#civicspace
is rated as 'repressed'. Since early 2025, President Dissanayake's government has silenced critical voices & disrupted student
#protests
. The government has also retained the restrictive Online Safety Act. More here
web.civicus.org/SriLankaJune...
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Sri Lanka: New government silences dissent and disrupts protests while impunity for past crimes persists - Civicus Monitor
https://web.civicus.org/SriLankaJune2025
8 months ago
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#India
: The state of
#civicspace
is rated as 'repressed'. In recent months, critical online commentary on the conflict with Pakistan was
#censored
,
#journalists
targeted, while communities in Chhattisgarh face military operations. Our latest update:
web.civicus.org/IndiaJune2025
9 months ago
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#Pakistan
: It has been 3 months since human rights defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch was unjustly arrested by police during a peaceful sit-in to protest police violence. She is being detained in Hudda Jail. We call for her immediate & unconditional release.
9 months ago
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🇮🇳
#India
: Today Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez will celebrate his 48th birthday in prison. He has been in detention for three & a half years now. Together with rights groups, we call for his immediate release:
web.civicus.org/Khurram
#FreeKhurram
#StandAsMyWitness
9 months ago
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#Afghanistan
: Today the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, presents his report on 'Access to justice & protection for women and girls and the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.' Full report here:
www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
9 months ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
The Guardian
9 months ago
Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong hit with new charges
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Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong hit with new charges
Wong accused of conspiracy in move rights groups condemn as ‘outrageous’ attempt to keep influential dissident imprisoned Jailed pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been hit with further national security charges, a move rights groups said showed the Hong Kong government was trying to keep dissidents behind bars for as long as possible. Wong, a well-known activist who has been in jail for more than four years either awaiting trial or serving sentences, is accused of conspiracy to collude with a foreign country. He appeared in court on Friday to hear the charge and did not apply for bail. Continue reading...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/07/jailed-hong-kong-democracy-activist-joshua-wong-hit-with-new-charges?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu
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#Thailand
: Conviction of
#humanrights
defender & lawyer Arnon Nampa to 2 years in jail on 28 May for his speech on monarchy reforms is outrageous & must be overturned. He faces a total sentence of 24 years under the
#lesemajeste
law. We stand in solidarity and call for his release
#StandAsMyWitness
9 months ago
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🇦🇺#Australia: As the Labor government starts its second term in power, the authorities have continued to criminalise
#protests
, police with
#impunity
and increase restrictive legislation & policies Our latest
#civicspace
update:
web.civicus.org/AustraliaMay...
10 months ago
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The
#civicspace
situation in
#ASEAN
continues to regress with 3 countries rated 'closed' and 5 rated 'repressed'.
#Malaysia
as the 2025 Chair must seriously address the backsliding of fundamental freedoms in the region, including the ongoing crisis in
#Myanmar
#ASEAN2025
10 months ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
Justice For Myanmar
10 months ago
In
#Myanmar
, ASEAN stands for complicity in A - Atrocities S - Sanctions evasion E - Economic crimes A - Arming war criminals N - Negotiating with terrorists 🪧✊🏽 Ready to take it to the streets? Download a sign for your demonstration 👉🏽
buff.ly/CNMLSjo
#DirtyOver30
#ActNowASEAN
#ASEAN
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UN Special Rapporteur wrote to the Government of
#Thailand
about the criminal proceeding & charges pressed against several human rights defenders for their participation in a Malay-Muslim cultural gathering in Pattani province
srdefenders.org/thailand-cri...
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Thailand: criminal proceeding and charges pressed against human rights defenders for their peaceful participation in a Malay-Muslim cultural gathering (joint communication)
This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Thailand about the criminal proceeding and charges pressed against Muhammad Aladee Dengni, Hasan Yamadibu, Sukiplee Kamae, A Nas ...
https://srdefenders.org/thailand-criminal-proceeding-and-charges-pressed-against-human-rights-defenders-for-their-peaceful-participation-in-a-malay-muslim-cultural-gathering-joint-communication/
10 months ago
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#Cambodia
: The government has fabricated evidence to criminalise & jail, dozens of opposition politicians,
#activists
, trade unionists & critics. Now they are going after their critics abroad and the Anwar Ibrahim govt &
#ASEAN
chair is facilitating
#TransnationalRepression
add a skeleton here at some point
10 months ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
RSF
10 months ago
#China
: a coalition of 58 NGOs led by RSF is sounding the alarm over the arbitrary and prolonged detention of journalist
#ZhangZhan
on the 5th anniversary of her arrest. Her health is deteriorating in detention. It’s time to
#FreeZhangZhan
!
rsf.org/en/china-rsf...
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China: RSF and coalition of 58 NGOs demand release of ailing journalist Zhang Zhan on 5th anniversary of her arrest
A coalition of 58 press freedom and human rights NGOs led by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for the release of Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan on 14 May, the 5th anniversary of her first arrest....
https://rsf.org/en/china-rsf-and-coalition-58-ngos-demand-release-ailing-journalist-zhang-zhan-5th-anniversary-her
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#HongKong
: National security police have arrested the father and brother of
#humanrights
defender and director of Hong Kong Democracy Council, Anna Kwok
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
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Hong Kong police arrest father and brother of wanted activist Anna Kwok
Hong Kong national security police have arrested the father and brother of wanted activist Anna Kwok for allegedly dealing with her finances, local media reported on Friday, in the first use of the city's security law on family members.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-police-arrest-father-brother-wanted-activist-anna-kwok-2025-05-02/
10 months ago
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#Malaysia
: More than 1,500 people gathered today to take part in a Labour Day rally. Among the key demands were an increase in the national minimum wage to RM2,000 and the implementation of a comprehensive affordable housing policy.
www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nat...
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More than 1,500 join Labour Day rally in KL
The participants demand better rights for workers, a RM2,000 minimum wage and the implementation of a comprehensive affordable housing policy.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/05/01/more-than-1500-people-join-labour-day-rally-in-kl
10 months ago
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
LabourStart
10 months ago
TAIWAN: Unions protest against Taipei Metro over lost paid leave
www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6098441
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Unions protest against Taipei Metro over lost paid leave | Taiwan News | Apr. 30, 2025 20:38
Labor group claims seniority reset for outsourced cleaning staff resulted in NT$3 million wage loss | Apr. 30, 2025 20:38
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6098441
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
Justice For Myanmar
11 months ago
We condemn Thailand & BIMSTEC’s decision to allow Min Aung Hlaing to attend the Summit. Welcoming a
#WarCriminal
responsible for atrocities in disaster-stricken regions is disgraceful, tarnishing BIMSTEC's image. BIMSTEC: put Myanmar's people's lives above economic ties!
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Myanmar junta leader’s Bangkok visit starts today despite ea
Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Bangkok for the Bay of Bengal region summit, scheduled for this Friday, is still confirmed, Thai Fo
https://buff.ly/dyERv8G
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reposted by
Josef Benedict
RSF
12 months ago
#Cambodia
: RSF condemns the physical assault on 3 journalists from news site
#EagleNews
who were reporting on a deforestation case on 24/02 when 4 unidentified men attacked. We call for a thorough investigation into the crime & urge the 🇰🇭 gov to ensure the protection of environmental journalists.
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