How coronavirus has worsened the plight of refugees in Tunisia Published: 5 June 2020 Background In the shadows of the Covid-19-crisis, refugees and irregular migrants in Europe’s neighbouring countries are afraid for their very existence and terrified of long-term detention in reception camps. In Tunisia, political provisions are being put into place and emergency plans negotiated to deal with migrants and refugees on their way to Europe. By Fabian Heppe
Care economy: transformations of communities, the civil society and state policies in times of quarantine Published: 29 May 2020 Analytics Oksana Potapova spoke with activists working for women's and human rights organizations about key changes in their work and life over the recent months. By Oksana Potapova
Council Presidency as a chance? Germany’s new role for the EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background On July 1st, Germany will take over the EU Council Presidency in midst the Corona pandemic. This presents opportunities for Germany to redefine its European policy. How does Germany perceive its role in the European Union and what are the expectations of other member states for the German Council Presidency? By Claudia Rothe
A shaky system starts to wobble: Mexico and coronavirus Published: 22 May 2020 Background A fluctuating economy, high unemployment, enormous violence against women and girls – what was already a difficult situation in Mexico has been made far worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Dawid Danilo Bartelt, Head of the Mexico City Office, describes the country’s approach to tackling coronavirus. By Dawid Danilo Bartelt
Israel and Palestine: annexation in the shadows of SARS-CoV-2? Published: 18 May 2020 Background The world's attention is fully focused on tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. But in the shadows of this crisis, Israel is quietly planning to annex parts of the Westbank. How likely is annexation and what will its consequences be? By Bettina Marx and Steffen Hagemann
Migrants and Refugees in a Time of Pandemic: Access to Healthcare Services in Turkey Published: 18 May 2020 Commentary The Covid-19 pandemic affects different groups of people differently. It is, however, possible to argue that asylum seekers, migrants and refugees scattered across the globe are among the most vulnerable groups to the outbreak. Yet, what are the key challenges facing migrants and refugees in Turkey, particularly challenges in accessing healthcare services during the pandemic? By Burcu Karakaş
Autocracy in El Salvador? The Historical Challenge in Time of Pandemic Published: 13 May 2020 Article El Salvador, like many other countries in Central America and the world, is in a situation bordering on tragedy, facing a pandemic under the immense structural failures resulting from centuries of environmental and human exploitation. By Marco Pérez Navarrete
India in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic: an image full of contradictions Published: 8 May 2020 Background In its fight against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, India is facing its greatest social and economic challenge since independence in 1947. Persisting political and social contradictions have become more visible than ever before. Media reports are shifting the focus away from areas that really matter for the preservation of a democratic social fabric. Yet the current situation also leaves a ray of hope. By Marion Müller
The Hong Kong way to combat Covid-19: “Take things in our own hands” Published: 4 May 2020 Background Quiet streets and empty malls on Friday nights. In the eyes of overseas visitors, the city might still seem lively, but for Hongkongers like me the vibrant buzz of this city has been replaced by fear, personal isolation, and the smell of rancid surgical masks. By Lucia Siu
Flying blind: Myanmar in the Covid-19 crisis Published: 4 May 2020 Commentary With low testing rates, but rising numbers of infections, Myanmar’s government is virtually flying blind trying to get on top of Covid-19 with a lockdown. The collapse of clothing exports to Europe has led to a sharp rise in unemployment, while armed conflicts continue, mostly in Rakhine State, and critical coverage of it has become a criminal offence. By Axel Harneit-Sievers