Archives

Trapped: slavery in the 21st century

The ILO is making slow but sure progress towards SDGs on human trafficking and forced labour in Myanmar, writes Gary Rynhart.

Jokowi’s Macron moment: moving fast or moving together?

Indonesia’s labour unions refer to the new omnibus legislation proposed by the government as RUU Cilaka, which sounds like the Bahasa Indonesia word for “wretched”.

A photograph of demonstrators supporting Daw Aung Suu Kyi

Justice in Myanmar: the view from Auntie’s shop

Brutal violence and nasty racist politics have a long history in Myanmar. To survive, people compartmentalise.

Thailand’s previously apolitical join the Run Against Dictatorship

Previously politically disengaged members of the population are joining organised political activity alongside older red shirt activist groups.

What lurks beyond the Belt and Road in Myanmar?

A reflection on China-Myanmar relations ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit on 17 January 2020.

The ASEAN pincer: caught between elite capture and populists

Democracy 2.0 in ASEAN must consider the invisible threat of elite capture and build new tools to fight it.

Was Majapahit really an empire?

A critical reflection on the emergence, dominance and legacy of Java’s historic ‘empire’.

Human rights and heritage sites in Myanmar: An irreconcilable juxtaposition or a productive conversation?

What does world heritage inscription mean in a country where human rights abuses are ongoing?

Farewell 2019

The top posts of 2019 and end of year thanks.

Defections to expulsions: Future Forward Party’s internal turmoil

"Very few MP candidates actually call themselves “true believers” in the Future Forward ideology."

Religion, ethnicity and hate speech in Indonesia’s 2019 presidential election

A reflection on the Jokowi and Prabowo campaign strategies and how they unfolded.

44 Years after invasion: East Timor’s 1975 generation

The role of youth and students has been sidelined in the history of the resistance movement.