Plus David Miliband on what Trump's government could mean for global health
Global Dispatch | The Guardian

Support the Guardian

Fund independent journalism

Global Dispatch
Editor's note
In prisons all over the world there are men, women and children who should not be there. In various degrees of dank and desperate conditions, the buildings themselves are often nightmare-inducing, but the cruelty of someone unjustly being deprived of their liberty is crushing to imagine.

It is why this week’s stories of the release of some of the hostages being held by Hamas and by Israel were so gripping. I think we are all a little fascinated by just how on earth the human spirit recovers from such an ordeal.

But over the past two weeks, our journalists have been reporting on some of the more overlooked prisons around the world; places where light – or attention – rarely reaches.

Fred Harter’s report on Eritrea’s secret prisons made horrific reading, and the bravery of those who were willing to talk to him was extraordinary.

Nalova Akua in Yaoundé, reporting on the Ambazonian activists still behind bars in Cameroon – where they hold political debates from their cells and plan ahead for a brighter future – was a fascinating read.

And lastly, with imprisonment often comes torture, and the story from Uganda on the jailing of human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza was harrowing. Sarah Johnson reported on how President Yoweri Museveni’s oppressive regime remains shameless in taking brutal bullying action against political opponents.
Tracy McVeigh, editor, Global development
Spotlight
Eritrea  
‘It was almost a relief when someone died’: former prisoners on the torture and terror of Eritrea’s secret prisons
‘It was almost a relief when someone died’: former prisoners on the torture and terror of Eritrea’s secret prisons
Top picks
Iraq  
‘The end of women and children’s rights’: outrage as Iraqi law allows child marriage
‘The end of women and children’s rights’: outrage as Iraqi law allows child marriage
Gaza  
‘I realised we’re such hypocrites’: how growing numbers of US veterans were moved to protest over Gaza
‘I realised we’re such hypocrites’: how growing numbers of US veterans were moved to protest over Gaza
Books  
Africa has no shortage of celebrated writers – so why is it so hard for African readers to get hold of their books?
Africa has no shortage of celebrated writers – so why is it so hard for African readers to get hold of their books?
Myanmar  
‘We’ve lost all hope’: Rohingya trapped as Bangladesh closes Myanmar border
‘We’ve lost all hope’: Rohingya trapped as Bangladesh closes Myanmar border
Rights and freedom
‘In Gaza, a press vest makes you a target’: the journalists who have paid a price for reporting on the war
Under fire  
‘In Gaza, a press vest makes you a target’: the journalists who have paid a price for reporting on the war
Under the Geneva conventions, media workers are not legitimate military targets, yet at least 166 have been killed in the conflict with Israel. As a ceasefire deal takes shape, we tell the stories of three of those killed or injured in the last year
Afghanistan  
The Taliban made me marry my boss: how one word led to a forced marriage
Southern frontlines
‘What joy! What damn joy!’: vanilla boom transforms fortunes of Colombia’s farmers
Colombia  
‘What joy! What damn joy!’: vanilla boom transforms fortunes of Colombia’s farmers
In El Valle, the world’s second-most expensive spice is not just providing an economic lifeline but also helping to preserve rich biodiversity
Global health
David Miliband warns rise of ‘alternative facts’ threatens global vaccination drive
Vaccines  
David Miliband warns rise of ‘alternative facts’ threatens global vaccination drive
Potential changes to US policy under Trump could also hamper aid efforts to most vulnerable, says former UK foreign secretary
In pictures
Uncovering Iraq’s mass graves: the painstaking search for missing loved ones
Photo essay  
Uncovering Iraq’s mass graves: the painstaking search for missing loved ones
The country has as many as one million missing people after decades of conflict. Forensic teams face huge challenges to document human remains as families wait in hope of closure
What we're watching
Stories of Migration  
Graphic novelists, cartoonists and animators depict tales of survival and escape across the world in this exhibition at Soas University of London, until 22 March
Graphic novelists, cartoonists and animators depict tales of survival and escape across the world in this exhibition at Soas University of London, until 22 March
In case you missed it
Women's rights  
‘I was crying, there was no anaesthesia’: the fight for legal and safe abortion in Nigeria
‘I was crying, there was no anaesthesia’: the fight for legal and safe abortion in Nigeria
Find us here
Facebook: Guardian global development

Website: theguardian.com/global-development
Get in touch
If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com
 
Groundbreaking investigations don't happen without you

Your support powers us.

As an independent news platform taking on the establishment and reporting on environmental issues, international politics, and everything in between, we can't do it alone.

Support us today and fuel journalism that makes a real impact.

 
Manage your emails | Unsubscribe | Trouble viewing?
You are receiving this email because you are a subscriber to Global Dispatch. Guardian News & Media Limited - a member of Guardian Media Group PLC. Registered Office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU. Registered in England No. 908396