All articles tagged with #minorities
Syria's recent parliamentary elections acknowledged significant shortcomings in female and minority representation, with only 13% of seats won by women and limited Christian and minority participation, amid ongoing security issues and regional tensions, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the political process.
Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since Bashar Assad's ouster, with most seats elected by electoral colleges and some appointed, amid concerns over the lack of a popular vote, transparency, and representation of minorities and women. The elections are seen as a test of the interim authorities's inclusivity and legitimacy, but face criticism for their undemocratic process and exclusion of certain regions.
Abu Hassan al-Hamawi, the military commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has led the group's recent territorial gains across Syria. In an interview, he promises to respect minority communities, despite HTS's Islamist ideology. The group's rapid expansion has positioned it as a significant power in the region.
Turkey-backed jihadist groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have taken control of Aleppo in Syria, endangering tens of thousands of Christians, Kurds, and other minorities. These groups, linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have been accused of committing atrocities such as abductions and threats of mass executions. Turkey has supported these groups with military and financial aid, raising concerns about the safety of ethnic and religious minorities in the region. Calls for self-rule and protection for these communities are growing amid the ongoing conflict.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismisses the NAACP's warning that Florida is hostile to minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals as a "stunt," citing lower unemployment rates among African Americans and the presence of more Black-owned businesses in Florida compared to other states. DeSantis blames the media for creating negative narratives about his policies and asserts that parents in Florida support his stance on sex and gender education in schools. He avoids directly answering questions about his support for overturning gay marriage but suggests that the Supreme Court is unlikely to reevaluate the matter.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended that the State Department blacklist India over religious freedom, citing the worsening treatment of minorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The State Department lists countries with concerns on religious freedom each year, but it is unlikely to accept the commission's stance on India, a growing US partner. The commission also recommended adding Nigeria, Vietnam, and Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey to the watch list of countries that risk being blacklisted without improvements.
Israel's population has grown twelve-fold since its founding in 1948, with 9.7 million people currently living in the country. Over a quarter of Israelis are children aged 14 or under, while 12% are over the age of 65. The population is expected to reach 11.1 million by 2030 and 15.2 million by Israel's centenary year in 2048. Nearly half of the 3.3 million new immigrants arrived since 1990, and 46% of the world's total Jewish population was living in Israel at the end of 2021.