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Tuesday, July 28, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
AUSTRIA: Racism on a Sharp Rise
Mainstream political parties in Austria must change their approach if a growing anti-immigrant sentiment stoked by far-right politicians is to be curbed, racism watchdogs and political analysts say.HUMAN RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: Barriers Go Up For Abortion
Rights groups in Slovakia have attacked new abortion legislation they say not only breaches women's rights to privacy and regulations on medical confidentiality but could force some women into undergoing risky, illegal abortions.EUROPE: Lithuania Throttles Gay Rights
Rights groups are calling on EU leaders to act after Lithuanian lawmakers approved controversial legislation that they say makes homosexuals "second class citizens" and breaches European conventions on human rights.EUROPE: The East Casts a Shadow
A "failure" by Eastern European leaders to lift political campaigns above domestic disputes and change apathy towards European institutions was behind low turnout and far right party gains in European Parliament elections this weekend, political analysts say.RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: Getting Worse for Minorities
The Council of Europe has warned in a report that attacks and political racism directed against Jews, Roma and Hungarian minorities have increased since the far-right Slovak National Party joined the government in 2006.EUROPEAN UNION: Losing Its Shine
In May 2004 eight East European states joined the EU, with their politicians and citizens harbouring high hopes of what accession would bring.EUROPE: Trafficking Rises as Incomes Fall
The economic crisis sweeping Eastern Europe is leading to a sharp increase in people trafficking as people look to migrate for work amid rising unemployment and growing economic hardship, migration watchdogs and women's rights groups warn.EUROPE: The Right Rises
Human rights activists have warned of a "proliferation" of far-right groups in central and eastern Europe amid an economic crisis fuelling support for extremist movements and political parties.RIGHTS: Bad to Beat Up Roma, if it Gets Filmed
Slovakia's interior minister is facing calls to resign amid claims of institutionalised racism in the country's police force after a video emerged of policemen forcing Roma children to strip naked, kiss and beat each other while being held at a police station.RIGHTS: Czech Govt Chokes Media
Czech media groups have warned that investigative journalism is under threat after what they described as "draconian" legislation on reporting came into effect.EUROPE: Recession Invites an Unwanted Homecoming
Thousands of East Europeans who migrated to the West in search of work when the EU expanded in 2004 are returning home as the global financial crisis plunges their adopted countries into recession.BELARUS: Poles Point to Denial of Rights
The West is not doing enough to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Belarus, human rights groups in Eastern Europe say.RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: A Murder Wakes Up a Nation
Thousands of people have joined anti-fascist marches following the murder of a young white Slovak by suspected neo-Nazis. Anti-racism campaigners say the killing has finally brought home to Slovaks the danger from extremist right-wing groups.MEDIA-SLOVAKIA: Ownership Raises Freedom Issues
The new owners of Slovakia's most popular television station have pledged more objective news after years of complaints that its founder and former minister Pavol Rusko used it as a vehicle for himself and his political party.POLAND: Eye on Coalition, Pres.-Elect Turns Conciliatory
Early signs since Lech Kaczynski was announced the surprise winner of Sunday's run-off election suggest that his presidency will be as closely watched in Washington, Moscow, Berlin and Brussels as it will be by Polish voters and politicians.RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: A Negative for Pro-Roma Legislation
A court ruling that declares unconstitutional any positive discrimination for ethnic minorities in Slovakia is being described as a "tragedy" by Roma leaders.POLITICS-POLAND: Uneasy Partners Come to Rule
The results of the Polish election may have brought as many questions as answers for a domestic electorate disillusioned by political scandals and soaring unemployment.CORRUPTION: Little Slovakia Manages a Lot
Corruption watchdog Transparency International has accused the Slovak government of inconsistency after the prime minister sacked economy minister Pavol Rusko over a conflict of interest involving an unexplained 105 million Slovak crown (three million dollar) loan..RIGHTS: Czechs Want a Check on Govt
Human rights groups in the Czech Republic have said the president should call for the resignation of the prime minister and interior minister over recent police action that they say was "more brutal" than anything under the repressive communist regimes of the past.RIGHTS: Czech NGOs Hit Back at President
Former communist dissidents in the Czech Republic have attacked President Vaclav Klaus over comments he made to the Council of Europe suggesting that NGOs could be "risky" and "dangerous".BELARUS: NGOs Deny Plot to Overthrow Govt
Slovak NGOs have dismissed claims by the Russian secret service that they and other international groups have met to prepare the ground for a revolution in Belarus.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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