World in Progress: Curbing Colombia’s Coca Cultivation and Saving Turtles in Odisha – Deutsche Welle

Colombia Coca Farmers (430)

With the many troubling crises in the world, it's easy to forget about places that have dropped out of the headlines a little. Colombia for example. In 2016, the peace deal between the government and FARC rebels was supposed to bring decades of conflict to an end. It also included pledges to eradicate coca leaf cultivation and the trade in illicit drugs. But while the FARC fighters have been demobilized, the war on drugs is far from over.

Colombia remains the largest cocaine producer in the world, a fact that succeeding governments have been eager to change. And many farmers say that the government's promises remain unfulfilled -- and the violence around the cocaine industry is just as prevalent as it ever was. Report: Anne Herrberg/ Presenter: Elliot Douglas

On the eastern coast of India, in the state of Odisha, endangered Olive Ridley Turtles come every year to lay eggs. In an effort to conserve and boost their critically low survival rate, a law in India prohibits local fishermen from fishing in the sea during the turtles' breeding time.The ban lasts for seven months, until the little turtles hatch by the end of May.But the restrictions put a huge strain on small scale fishermen and their families as their livelihoods are at stake.They have been protesting the fishing ban and are demanding better compensation.Report: Furkan Latif Khan

In a Lebanese feature film that recently hit the online platform Netflix, traditional norms are turned upside down. The topics are controversial in many Arab countries. In the film, one man comes out as gay, a father discovers his daughter has condoms and allows her to stay with her boyfriend plus numerous other affairs and erotic secrets are discussed. All the characters in the film are played by popular actors from the Arab world.Egyptian MPs want to ban the film or preferably Netflix altogether.But others are standing up for the filmmakers in solidarity and defending artistic freedom, including the Professional Association of Actors of Egypt. Jrgen Stryjak has this report, which is presented by Ineke Mules.

Report: Jrgen Stryjak /Presenter: Ineke Mules

How much can or should art be allowed to do - and what about artistic freedom of expression? That's also the topic of our last report today that takes us to Turkey. There, many artists struggle with the boundaries society sets them.Many argue that art is an expression of how the artist sees the world - and that works of art need neither to be easily accessible nor crowd-pleasing. On the contrary: art often criticizes, exaggerates, and deals with social and political issues. But the level of freedom for painters, sculptors, photographers and writers to express themselves or think they can varies from country to country, and is in a constant state of flux.In Turkey, for example, the climate for artists has changed dramatically in recent years. A decade ago, the country was vibrating with artistic expession. But now the pressure is growing on artists to conform. There is no direct state censorship but many practice self-censorship in their work.

Report: Uwe Lueb/ Presenter: Neil King

Read more from the original source:

World in Progress: Curbing Colombia's Coca Cultivation and Saving Turtles in Odisha - Deutsche Welle