2022

Malaysia: will new government bring real change?

Challenger promising to improve civic space comes to power – but political volatility is likely to continue

COP27: too little, too late

Summit takes first step to make rich states pay for climate harm – but does little to stop them causing further damage

ECONOMY | ENVIRONMENT

The Energy Charter Treaty: a barrier to climate action

European states must withdraw from rather than revise treaty that protects fossil fuel companies from environmental policy

ECONOMY | ENVIRONMENT

Ethiopia: will the ceasefire be followed by peace?

After two-year conflict, humanitarian aid is vital – and so is accountability for human rights violations

CONFLICT | CRISIS

Qatar 2022: glory at what price?

World Cup tainted by migrant workers’ deaths and numerous other human rights abuses

Bahrain: election without freedoms falls far short of democracy

Empty election ritual held in the absence of opposition leaves ruling power untroubled

Taiwan in the firing line

China talks tough – but Taiwan’s people want to choose their own path

CONFLICT | CRISIS

Spain: a victory in the struggle against sexual violence

The country’s first law on sexual consent comes after years of feminist demands for a new approach to gender-based violence

Israel: most extreme government ever on the cards

Netanyahu is back, set to lead a government with far-right racist elements

Brazil: danger averted

Transition process underway following narrow defeat of far-right incumbent by broad coalition under leftist leadership