Sharia is here to stay in Indonesia’s Aceh

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Sharia in Aceh is here to stay. Even an attempt just to hold Sharia-dictated canings in private was ultimately unsuccessful I published this article previously in The Diplomat   Sharia in Aceh In Indonesia’s conservative…

Forced seduction: problematic rape scenes persist in Thai soap operas

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Rape in Thai soap operas is a problem. It is routinely depicted as a precursor to romance, with female protagonists shown falling in love with their rapists. But, led by an outraged viewer, the country’s television industry is starting to…

Was Buddha a Feminist?

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The first fully ordained Thai female monk in the Theravada tradition caused a controversy that continues 15 years later. The question is: Was Buddha a feminist? This article was previosly published in The Diplomat Was Buddha a Feminist? The…

Would moving Indonesia's capital work?

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Experts say Indonesia's plan to move capital from Jakarta will not solve Jakarta’s overpopulation problem, as many people might not want to leave   This article was previously published in South China Morning Post Indonesia's plan to…

Why are abuse claims in Cambodia's war on drugs being ignored?

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The war on drugs in Cambodia may not feature the violence of Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown in the Philippines, but advocates still warn of ‘gradual but deadly’ rights abuses This article was previously published in South China Morning…

Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island

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Bangladesh pushes ahead with plans to send Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island This article was previously published in Equal Times Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island Thengar Char, a 40-square-kilometre island in the Bay of…

How the murder of a Malaysian transgender woman exposed fears over an islamic penal code

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The brutal killing of a florist shocks activists who say it must be seen against a backdrop of rising conservatism that threatens the LGBT community This articule was previously published in South China Morning Post LGBT…

The forced pregnancies of the Khmer Rouge

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The forced pregnancies of the Khmer Rouge are forgotten by the court set up to judge the communist regime’s crimes This article was previosly published in The Diplomat The forced pregnancies of the Khmer Rouge Souk (not her…

Exclusion or protection? Activists skeptical about LGBT prison

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This article was previously published in Coconuts Bangkok LGBT prison in Thailand Transgender activist Nachacha Kongudom was arrested in June of last year for protesting against the military junta in Bangkok. She was sent to a men’s…

Una prisión para proteger a reos transexuales

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Tailandia planea abrir una prisión LGTB para evitar abusos, una decisión que no contenta a los activistas Este artículo fue previamente publicado en El País Internacional Prisión LGTB Nachacha Kongudom fue…

Maid in Singapore

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Conditions for domestic workers in Singapore are improving, but many still face abuse and exploitation I published this article previously in The Diplomat Domestic workers in Singapore The dream of…

The Rohingya are losing hope

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This article was previously published in Equal Times Rohingya crisis A year ago, 17 countries met in Bangkok to seek a solution to the rohingya crisis in south-east Asia. A few days earlier, a common grave unearthed in the…