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A woman protester in Iran

How women are leading Asia's protest movements

Anti-government protests have swept across many Asian countries, including Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan. Women are at the forefront of many demonstrations, taking risks and challenging authority.  

Japan

Japan commemorates German WWI POWs

A prisoners' camp during World War I in Narashino, Japan

The Japanese town of Narashino on Monday marked 100 years since the last group of World War I German prisoners of war (POW) left the camp, which had been the home for many of them since 1915. Julian Ryall reports.  

International relations

Japan and China vie for influence in Indonesia

Indonesian warships (Koarmada I TNI AL)

Indonesia is seeking to curb Chinese influence over its fishing waters in the South China Sea with help from Japan. Yet, at the same time, Tokyo must ensure the plans do not endanger its own rapprochement with Beijing.  

Myanmar

Rohingya face genocide threat: UN top court

Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh

The International Court of Justice says provisional measures must be implemented to protect Myanmar's Rohingya minority. In 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh to escape violence from Myanmar security forces.  

Conflict

Opinion: Taiwan's courageous president

Taiwan 2020 | Tsai Ing-wen waves to a crowd (imago images/ZUMA Press/C. L. Hei)

Taiwan's liberal president, Tsai Ing-wen, has been re-elected, and the island has once again confirmed its democratic character and difference from mainland China. Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province.  

The Philippines

Volcano residents turn waste into bricks

Bricks made of ash (Reuters/A. Portugal)

A Philippine city blanketed in ash has turned adversity into an opportunity. In a time of disaster, residents have got creative by mixing volcano ash and trash to help reconstruct communities ravaged by Taal.  

South Asia

DW Editor-in-Chief Ines Pohl speaks with Pakistan's PM, Imran Khan

DW talks to Pakistan's Imran Khan

In an exclusive interview with DW Editor-in-Chief Ines Pohl, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan talks about the Iran crisis and the international community's "lukewarm" response to the Kashmir dispute.  

Trade

Can India and Malaysia afford a trade spat?

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, poses with Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Indian government has imposed trade restrictions on Malaysian palm oil following the Southeast Asian country's criticism of PM Modi's "anti-Muslim" policies. Can the two countries resolve their differences?  

  • The Indian government suspended internet services and tightened security on Friday in several areas including the Northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The government is expecting another wave of violent protests against the controversial new Citizenship law, which was enacted on December 11.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Shutdown in parts of India

    The Indian government suspended internet services and tightened security on Friday in several parts of the country, including the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The government is expecting another wave of violent protests against the controversial new Citizenship Amendment Act, which was enacted on December 11.

  • The new law gives Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Christian and Parsi immigrants from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan a path toward fast-track citizenship. Critics say the law discriminates against Muslims and that the award of citizenship based on religion violates India's secular constitution.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Defending India's secular constitution

    The new law gives Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Christian and Parsi immigrants from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan a path toward fast-track citizenship. Critics say the law discriminates against Muslims and that the award of citizenship based on religion violates India's secular constitution.

  • The Indian government is also preparing plans for a National Register of Citizens (NRC), in what it says is an attempt to identify and expel undocumented illegal immigrants. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, critics fear that residents unable to prove citizenship would be turned stateless. A similar exercise in Assam state has already excluded nearly 2 million residents from the list.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Fears of citizenship registration

    The Indian government is also preparing plans for a National Register of Citizens (NRC), in what it says is an attempt to identify and expel undocumented illegal immigrants. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, critics fear that residents unable to prove citizenship would be turned stateless. A similar exercise in Assam state has already excluded nearly 2 million residents from the list.

  • Several liberal-minded intellectuals such as the well-known writer Arundhati Roy have sharply criticized the new law and the government's plan to create a nationwide citizenship registration. Conservative politicians such as Subramanian Swamy, a former minister of commerce, has called for Roy to be arrested and charged with sedition.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Outcry of intellectuals

    Several liberal-minded intellectuals such as the well-known writer Arundhati Roy have sharply criticized the new law and the government's plan to create a nationwide citizenship registration. Conservative politicians such as Subramanian Swamy, a former minister of commerce, has called for Roy to be arrested and charged with sedition.

  • Students from several universities across the country have taken to the streets to protest against the new measures. Several student organizations are at the forefront of the protests. They are making use of social media to wage a parallel battle online and teach people how to organize demonstrations.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Students against the new law

    Students from several universities across the country have taken to the streets to protest against the new measures. Several student organizations are at the forefront of the protests. They are making use of social media to wage a parallel battle online and teach people how to organize demonstrations.

  • Indian authorities have deployed thousands of riot police to control the protests. At least 25 people have so far died in two weeks of at times violent demonstrations. India's army chief has also criticized the role of students in the protests.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Police cracking down on protesters

    Indian authorities have deployed thousands of riot police to control the protests. At least 25 people have so far died in two weeks of at times violent demonstrations. India's army chief has also criticized the role of students in the protests.

  • Prime minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has remained adamant throughout the protests. They say that people are misguided and don't understand the real meaning of the law. The BJP blames the opposition Congress Party for creating confusion and igniting fear.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Hindu nationalists adamant

    Prime minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has remained adamant throughout the protests. They say that people are misguided and don't understand the real meaning of the law. The BJP blames the opposition Congress Party for creating confusion and igniting fear.

  • The Rashitrya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a right-wing, Hindu-nationalist paramilitary volunteer organization. Members of the group, which is the parent organization of the BJP, were seen parading on the outskirts of Hyderabad in support of the new law.

    India's new citizenship law ignites religious tensions

    Supporters of new citizenship act

    The Rashitrya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a right-wing, Hindu-nationalist paramilitary volunteer organization. Members of the group, which is the parent organization of the BJP, were seen parading on the outskirts of Hyderabad in support of the new law.

    Author: Rodion Ebbighausen


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Will Afghanistan's religious minorities seek a new life in India?

India's new law that fast-tracks citizenship for persecuted religious minorities may be a way out of oppression and isolation for Hindus and Sikhs living in Afghanistan.  

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Defense

China 'world's 2nd-biggest weapons producer'

Military parade in China to mark 70th anniversary (picture alliance/Photoshot/L. Xiao)

China has been ranked as the world's second-largest weapons manufacturer, according to new research by a leading peace institute. The Asian superpower jumped ahead of Russia, from whom they used to buy many weapons.  

Japanese work culture

Japanese minister sets example for new fathers

Shinjiro Koizumi with wife Christel Takigawa

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is promoting the government's agenda encouraging people to have more children by taking two weeks off — a relatively long time in Japan's workaholic culture.  

EU-asia relations

EU-Vietnam trade agreement spotlights rights

Vietnamese workers at an Adidas shoe factory in Ho Chi Minh City

The EU has said the trade agreement would be the most ambitious the bloc has ever negotiated with a developing country. However, authoritarian Vietnam will still have to improve its labor and social standards.  

Democracy in Cambodia

Kem Sokha goes on trial

Kem Sokha seen before his trial

The trial of the prominent Cambodian opposition leader on treason charges has been seen as a sign that democracy is under threat in a country ruled by strongman Hun Sen for 35 years. Critics say the trial is a "circus."  

Asia Business

South Korea faces economic woes

A woman prays in front of lanterns in a South Korean Buddhist temple

With national debt rising, investment falling and many employment statistics in negative territory, there are concerns that Asia's fourth-biggest economy is in for a bumpy ride in 2020.  

Australia

Activists outraged at Adani mining project

A protester holds a sign that reads #StopAdani

The German engineering firm has reaffirmed plans to support the controversial Adani coal mine project. Siemens has come under fire for the project's climate implications, with bushfires currently raging across Australia.  

Thailand

The struggle continues for Thailand's opposition

Thais protest against the government led by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha

Rumblings of discontent against Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha are growing louder less than a year after a disputed election saw the junta chief return as head of government. His critics are now getting creative.  

Thailand: Thousands protest against government with run  

More Stories

Tawian

Can Taiwan become less isolated?

MOFA Flaggen (DW/K. Bardenhagen)

The election results in Taiwan, just like those in Hong Kong, have sent a clear message to Beijing. But change is unlikely given Taipei's political isolation and economic dependence on China, says DW's Frank Sieren.  

Human rights in China

China's threat to human rights

A Chinese police officer in Beijing

Human Rights Watch has said that China is taking measures that will weaken systems protecting human rights around the world. The NGO's annual review was launched in New York after its director was barred from Hong Kong.  

Taiwan election

Does Beijing need to rethink its Taiwan policy?

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Chinese President Xi Jinping

Beijing has said it will not change course on Taiwan after Tsai's election victory. However, experts think her big win is more than "a slap in the face" for Beijing — it also reflects the failure of policy.