An "Utter Scandal" in Russia: Daily Brief

Outrage as human rights defender jailed in Chechnya, Russia; Thailand's elections won't be free and fair; why won't Egypt's government help find a missing politician?; scapegoating LGBT people and reproductive health in Poland; ill-treatment of jailed democracy activist in China; and how a key decision tomorrow could help determine the future political direction of Europe.
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After a reading of the verdict that took 9 hours, a judge in Russia convicted human rights defender Oyub Titiev and sentenced him to 4 years in penal colony settlement. The verdict was "a gross injustice to him, a disgrace to Russian criminal justice system, and risks further emboldening Ramzan Kadyrov," the abusive governor of Chechnya.

Thailand’s national election is fast approaching, but the military government has failed to create free and fair conditions for it. “Since the 2014 coup, the Thai military has made repeated promises to restore democratic rule, but the generals have set up this election to ensure continued military rule in suits instead of uniforms,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Egyptian authorities should exert serious efforts to find and reveal the whereabouts of Mostafa al-Nagar, a former parliament member who has been missing for nearly five months.

In an apparent attempt to boost its popularity ahead of upcoming elections, Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party is once again scapegoating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and sexual and reproductive health.

March 19 marks two years since police in China’s Guangdong province forcibly disappeared Taiwanese democracy activist Li Ming-che. Authorities eventually charged Li with “subversion of state power” for having online discussions about transitional justice and democracy. Imprisoned ever since, Li has endured ill-treatment and deteriorating health; according to his wife, Li Ching-yu, he has lost 30 kilograms.

Finally, tomorrow is the big day for the center-right in Europe to make up its mind: will Europe's largest political bloc side with the hate-driven politics of the increasingly authoritarian Viktor Orbán in Hungary? Or will it stand up for fundamental democratic values? 

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