Vietnam's Progressive Gender Policies

Published on Mar 23, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Few countries have pressed the buttons of civil rights groups more than Vietnam. Its crackdown on bloggers and dissent is in itself a contradiction of its efforts to open up a constitutional debate which has had only mixed success and led to the jailing of ordinary citizens simply for expressing their opinions.However, there are those in Vietnam who have cultivated government policies which are in-keeping with the processes of a modern state and daring in the handling of sensitive issues.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Malaysia's Maid Controversy

Published on Jun 8, 2012 by Luke Hunt

In most countries, access to hired help for around the house would hardly count as a national priority. In Malaysia, however, it’s an issue that Prime Minister Najib Razak needs resolved before he goes to the next election – and after a couple of years of wrangling, he appears to have got his wish.Read more in The Diplomat..

Cambodia Evictions Unchecked

Published on Jan 23, 2012 by Luke Hunt

In fast-developing Phnom Penh, land is at a premium, and it’s the poor who pay the price for high-end development.It is not a new story. Around 250,000 Cambodians were evicted from their homes between 2005 and 2009, according to local human-rights groups.Read more from Faine Greenwood at Global Post..

Malaysia, Maids & the Lash

Published on Oct 26, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hasn’t put a political foot wrong since speculation began an election could be called for as soon as November or early in the New Year. First, he announced an inquiry into electoral reforms, then repealed laws curtailing civil liberties and delivered an election friendly budget.But Najib pulled off a real coup last week, winning an agreement from Jakarta that will allow Indonesian maids to return to work in Malaysia. That decision will prove popular, particularly among the middle class Muslim women of Peninsula Malaysia who say they are suffering from a lack of domestic help after Indonesia banned its women from working there because of appalling treatment meted out by many employers.Read more in The....