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Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Communities Protest Against Oil Pollution · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

This post is part of our special coverage Forest Focus: Amazon.
[All links lead to Spanish language pages, except when otherwise noted.]
In early June 2012, Petroperú president Humberto Campodónico announced that site 1-AB, an oil reserve currently operated by Pluspetrol Norte, will be put up for auction sometime before July 28. This site, just like others whose contracts will expire between 2013 and 2015, is part of a group of hydrocarbon reserves in which the state-owned Petroperú plans to drill for oil again, with up to a 49% share in partnership with a private company.
This issue, which might seem merely contractual and part of business procedure, put the people of the Pastaza river indigenous communities on alert.
Lake Ushpayacu, South Capahuari oil reserve, Pastaza river valley. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
These indigenous communities have been in negotiations with Pluspetrol for compensation due to the contamination of Lake Atiliano, located in site 8, which is another of the sites that this company will cease operating. The negotiations have taken place both in the Pucacuro community and in the city of Iquitos. But this is not the only case of pollution in the jungle.
Site 1AB, San Jacinto oil reserve. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
An inspection was planned last week by a parliamentary working group from the Commission of Andean, Amazon, and Afro-Peruvian People, Environment, and Ecology of Peru, who investigate the pollution from oil operations that have been carried out for 40 years in the river valleys of Pastaza, Tigre, Corrientes, and Marañón. However, the visit did not happen due to congresswoman Verónika Mendoza resigning from the ruling party [en].
This at first raised suspicions, since it could have been an attempt to “hide all the environmental impacts to help the bidding”, but then congresswoman Mendoza explained that the visit did not occur because her resignation had caused her to be removed from the aforementioned commission.
However, the Apus [Apu is the Quechua word for leader of a community] of the indigenous communities indicated that they will declare a peaceful demonstration and demand the establishment of round-table discussions for the communities of San José de Saramuro (Kukama indigenous group), Nuevo Andoas or Alianza Topal (Quechua indigenous group of the Pastaza river), Nuevo Jerusalem (Achuar indigenous group of Corrientes), and 12 de Octubre (Kichwa indigenous group of Tigre).
Shashococha, Capahuari Sur oil reserve, Pastaza river valley. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
Congresswoman Mendoza posted on her blog the issues which the round-table discussions would deal with:
- Realización de un proceso de consulta previa antes de la anunciada licitación para julio del lote 1AB, en el marco del Convenio 169 de la OIT.
– Realización de una auditoría internacional independiente en los aspectos ambientales y de salud antes que se concreten nuevos acuerdos de exploración y explotación.
– Cumplimiento de las remediaciones ambientales necesarias y sinceramiento de los pasivos ambientales existentes.
– Cumplimiento de las compensaciones por el uso de tierras así como las indemnizaciones por derrames de petróleo y otros daños ambientales.
Contaminated lake, site 8x. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
However, bases of the Quechua Indigenous Federation of Pastaza heading towards the Andoas oil field, in the province of Datem del Marañón, have reported that the government has militarized the area, which they say will make any possibility of dialogue difficult. In that regard they have issued a statement that, among other things, says:
- Exigimos un proceso de Consulta Previa e informada en las mejores condiciones e incluso que se haga un inventario de los actuales pasivos ambientales contaminantes y el registro de los que no se encuentran hasta el momento en algún plan o programa de remediación.
- Rechazamos la presencia de contingentes militares en Andoas, los cuales tiene el único objetivo de reprimir con balas y fuegocualquier expresión legítima de descontento. Nuestras comunidades no son cuarteles. No queremos que se repite lo que sucedió en Andoas el año 2008 en donde la muerte, la tortura y la cárcel nos golpearon profundamente.
- We demand a prior consultation process reported under the best conditions, and also demand that an inventory of the existing environmental contaminating liabilities is made, while recording which of those are not yet found in any plan or program of remediation.
- We reject the presence of military contingents in Andoas, which only have the objective of suppressing any legitimate expression of discontent with bullets and fire. Our communities are not barracks. We don't want to see that which happened in Andoas in 2008 happen again, when death, torture, and imprisonment affected us deeply.
Well 6 foundation (overflows with rain), Bartra oil reserve, Tigre river valley, site 1AB. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
On June 12, the demonstration was in the area of Alianza Topal, located in the province of Datem del Marañón. On the website of AIDESEP (Interethnic Development Association of the Peruvian Jungle), they reported:
Según anunciaron los Apus, las comunidades que la integran continuarán movilizados hasta que el gobierno central atienda sus demandas y para mañana tienen previsto realizar una asamblea en la que se decidirá las acciones que tomarán en los siguientes días, donde también estarán los jefes de las comunidades de la cuenca del Tigre, quienes han anunciado que se sumarán a la movilización pacífica de los pueblos indígenas de Loreto y se unirían -en los próximos días- los pueblos Achuar y Candoshi.
Chemical waste dump, Capahuari Sur oil reserve, Pastaza river valley. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
The indigenous communities in these areas have been condemning the effects of contamination on their ancestral lands and on themselves for years, as CINDES (Indigenous Center for Sustainable Development) Peru reports in its blog:
“Todas las plantas se están secando, los árboles se están secando, están haciendo una desgracia a nuestra comunidad” refiere el Apu de la comunidad Nuevo Paraiso.
“El 66.21% de la población infantil está contaminado con plomo y el 99.20% de la población adulta está contaminada con cadmio” señala un estudio de la Direccion General de Salud (Digesa)
“Han engañado sistemáticamente a casi todos los apus de la cuenca del río Corrientes, y del Pastaza y del Tigre también, haciéndoles firmar documentos que no reflejaban los acuerdos establecidos en la asamblea comunal”, denuncia
Site 8x, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Photo: courtesy of FECONACO
While the contamination from oil activity has been happening for 40 years, which is a liability for the current companies that extract oil, the fight of the communities to preserve their environment and the life that they are used to living within it has also been going on concurrently, and not all of the affected communities have received compensation. Recently, Observatorio Petrol Sur wrote in their blog about the negotiations between oil companies and the communities:
Finalmente, aquí no se negocia asuntos relevantes como: si es viable la extracción de hidrocarburos, si hay formas menos dañinas de realizar esta faena, […] Los resultados de la mencionada negociación es a fin de cuentas la misión principal de lo que llaman Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC), apaliar y minimizar daños con la clara intensión de crear paz social que permita seguir trabajando en las condiciones más favorables económicamente. Por tanto, lo que se negocia es la derrota, la enfermedad, el plomo o cadmio en la sangre debido a las prácticas de extracción, o bien la pérdida de las formas de subsistencia tradicionales recibiendo a cambio muy poco, un premio de consolación o a veces incluso nada, como el caso de la gente del Bajo Nauta, quienes habiendo sufrido el derrame no se les considera impactados por estar muy alejados del punto del derrame como para entrar dentro del círculo de los que algo recibirán.
Lastly, the aforementioned CINDES blog is sharing the following documentary “Concerning 40 years of pollution in the Corrientes river valley” [es]:
Original post published in the blog of Juan Arellano.
This post is part of our special coverage Forest Focus: Amazon.

author: Juan Arellano


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Sudan:  “Police Denies Use of Bullets; All Injuries are Imaginary” · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Sudanese officials are repeating the all too familiar ‘lies’ Arab officials have been telling us since the beginning of the so-called Arab Spring in December 2010. Protests are contained, they say, in citizens attacking policemen, who retaliate in self-defense, goes the story.
Sudan is the latest country to join the massive protest movement that saw the toppling of Zine Al Abedine Ben Ali of Tunisia in January 2011 and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt the following month. Libya's Muammar Gaddafi was also captured and later on killed by an angry mob in October 2011. Arab governments are keen in limiting their loss to those three dictators by conducting a massive crackdown on political dissent and an unprecedented killing spree against their revolting people. Sudanese officials are now repeating the same lines we heard from all Arab officials, whose reigns are troubled by angry people they have continued to rule with an iron fist and oppress for decades.
Protests broke out at Khartoum University on June 17, when hundreds of students denounced the government’s planned austerity measures. The protests were met with police brutality and arrests, fueling more anger and protests the following days.
Mimz reacts to how the official Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) covered the news. She tweets:
@MimzicalMimz: SUNA says protests yesterday were ‘limited’. Just the fact that protests were acknowledged conveys the magnitude of #SudanRevolts
Egyptian journalist Salma Elwardany, who is in Khartoum, sums up the coverage. She writes [ar]:
She quotes the coverage saying:
And she adds:
Yousif Elmahdi confirms:
@Usiful_ME: Then, i must have imagined being close by guy being shot in leg by rubber bullet & another thrown off moving pick-up
Netizens are now watching Sudan closely, following rumours that the Sudanese authorities intend to cut off the Internet – a chilling reminder of Egypt's attempt to silence activists and contain the January 25 revolution when it pulled the plug off the www on January 27.
The US Embassy in Khartoum Twitter account stated today:
@USembassykrt: Internet access and possibly cell phones may be disrupted or limited in Sudan due to the protests and demonstrations in the capital city.
The internet and the rise of social media, and not dictatorship, injustice and lack of human rights, are blamed for fueling the Arab Spring.
Meanwhile, Arab regimes seem to be immune to learning from experience.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Sudan: Protests Trigger Arrest of Twitter Activists · Global Voices
Maha El-Sanosi

Yesterday’s protests saw the arrest of many protesters from the streets by police and National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) agents. Among them is prominent Sudanese Twitter personality and activist Usamah Mohammed Ali (@simsimt).
In his last tweet, Usamah was advocating free content to help spread the word about the events happening on the streets in the capital Khartoum:
Btw, I'm just being technical. You can use my tweets without even mentioning me. Free content advocate here!
Usamah’s last couple of tweets included information about his whereabouts and the situation on the ground. He was in Burri area next to Nile Street [ar]:
#FreeUsamah
في بري الشريف. عدد كبير من بكاسي الاحتياط والأمن ودفارات الشرطة والأهالي بأعداد متفرقة واقفين. #جمعة_الكتاحة
In Burri al-Sharif. Large number of security and police trucks and residents in wide numbers standing.
where he saidthere was a lot of security presence, and arrests taking place:
الأمنجية أعدادهم كبيرة ومتمركزين في أكتر من بوكسي. في بحري الشفناهم كانو مسلحين. أفتكر كلهم بكونو كدة. #جمعة
There's a large number of NISS agents and they're centered at more than one truck. In Khartoum North, the ones we saw were armed. I think they are all like that.
He tweeted a photograph of arrests being made by security personnel, moments before getting arrested himself.
بوكسي الأمن دة وقف العربية السيلفر الواقفة وراو وطلعو منها زول وركبو معاهم. العربية فيها أولاد وبنات. #جمعة_الكتاحة
This NISS truck intercepted the silver car parked behind it and dragged someone out of it. They took him with them to their car. The car is filled with boys and girls.
Two hours prior to his arrest, Usamah made sure to inform people that he was in the company of his brother Asaad (@Arch_Asaad), who was also arrested but later released.
أنا معاي @Arch_Asaad عشان بس لو حصلت اي حاجة.
I'm with Asaad, just in case anything happens to me.
Asaad tweeted as soon he was released that he didn’t know the whereabouts of Usamah.
@simsimt is not released yet! And I don't know where is he!!
According to Asaad, Usamah was taken to NISS headquarters in Khartoum North while he himself was taken to a police station in Khartoum.
Usamah’s friends were tweeting their concern for his safety and demanding his immediate release. Ayman Elkhidir showed his concern for Usamah,
Tweep and activist @simsimt was arrested by NISS yesterday. #FreeUsamah #SudanRevolts #السودان_ينتفض
Montaga Elameen demanded people spread the word about all the people detained at the protests:
keep tweeting & RT's about Detainees @simsimt & @OmarMahgoub #FreeOmer #FreeUsamah #السودان_ينتفض#Sudan_Revolts
Egyptian Mohammed Al Dahshan, a journalist, writer and a personal friend of Usamah’s, was also concerned for his safety, tweeting:
Good night. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better news from #Sudan, with inshallah @Simsimt, Ahmed Hussein, and all the others free.
Earlier that day, Usamah recorded a video for Al Jazeera’s The Stream highlighting his reasons for going to the street on the 30 of June 2012 – the planned protest date, and the 23 anniversary of the Sudan’s current ruling National Congress Party.
Several other Sudanese Twitter users have been arrested and released, such as Omer Mahgoub (@OmarMahgoub), who was released today. He was held in the same building as Usamah, but says he has not seen him.
Usamah has been in the custody of the notorious NISS for over 24 hours, and his twitter friends are campaigning for him using #FreeUsamah.
In the wake of the ongoing protests taking place in Khartoum and other states calling on the fall of the regime, numerous other peaceful protesters have been kidnapped by the NISS and many of them were tortured.

author: Maha El-Sanosi


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Tajikistan: Blogger Translates Mobile Games into Tajik · Global Voices
Musharraf

Tajik blogger Khurrshed has translated a number of popular mobile games into Tajik. Khurrshed explains [tj] that he did the translation in order to make mobile gaming accessible to young people who have cell phones but do not speak English or Russian. Another Tajik blogger recently wrote about the importance of the vernacular language in the process of nation-building in the country.

author: Musharraf


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Tajikistan: Dushanbe Zoo, from Different Angles · Global Voices
Musharraf

If you ever happen to travel to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, you might think twice before visiting the city's underfunded zoo. Matthew Askaripour, an American student, posted on Twitter a photo of a ‘basically dead’ camel that he took at the zoo. Shocked by the state of the facility, he writes: “I may never go to a zoo again”. But there are also much more positive photos and videos from the zoo.


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The world viewed through 3054 languages in danger of extinction · Global Voices
Esteve Mata

Endangered Languages is a project started by Google which provides technology to individuals and organisations so that they can tackle the threat of certain languages becoming extinct. The page contains information, learning materials and text files, sound and video in languages including Aragonese, Ainu, Navajo and Catalan sign language gathered from Youtube, Google Docs and Picasa.

author: Esteve Mata


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Trinidad & Tobago: Bloggers Discuss Warner & Cabinet Reshuffle · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has been alluding to some major changes in government ministers’ portfolios for some time now; last night, details of her Cabinet reshuffle finally came.  Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on their blogs as well as on Twitter and Facebook: the most heated discussion appeared to be over the new appointment of former FIFA Vice-President Austin “Jack” Warner as Minister of National Security. (The country's crime situation is perhaps the most pressing issue facing the government at this time).
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog noted that:
Shortly before 8:00 PM [last night], the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, announced the highly anticipated reshuffle of her administration. Two Ministers were fired and several others either received promotions or less significant portfolios.
Most significantly, Jack Warner, has been given the National Security Ministry, replacing Brigadier John Sandy.
Also replaced was Minister of Youth, Child Development and Gender Affairs Verna St Rose Greaves…
St. Rose-Greaves was at the helm of the ministry when this controversy took place a few months ago.  Political blogger The Eternal Pantomime called the re-arranging of the Prime Minister's Cabinet a “re-shovel”, and republished from “a kind citizen” a humourous list of “who should really hold the various cabinet positions” (appears here shortened):
Minister of NATIONAL SECURITY: A well trained German Shepard
Minister of FINANCE: A calulator
Minister of EDUCATION: The Mighty Chalkdust
Minister of FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Random Digicel rep draft
Minister of HEALTH: Any willing Dr. who has been forced to remain in the public hospitals for too long
Minister of HOUSING AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Papa Bois
Minister of JUSTICE: A parrot left in the UK supreme court for 6 months at a time
Minister of SPORTS: Former Soca Warrior Dutch coach Beenhakker
Minister of YOUTH, GENDER AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT: Cartoon Netwoork TV channel (80s and 90s reruns)
Minister of TOBAGO DEVELOPMENT: Miss Trimm (Of Miss Trimm’s Crab and Dumpling shack)
In another post, the blogger republished the text of the Prime Minister's speech in its entirety.  On Twitter, the reactions were almost instantaneous.
Journalist Lasana Liburd, whose online news site Wired868 was recently credited with “buss[ing] the mark about Warner’s ownership of the Centre of Excellence, complete with documents, on its website”, said:
@lasanaliburd: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner is the new Minister of National Security. (Insert wisecrack here)
…to which @BeyondThePitch responded:
@BeyondThePitch: Another sign civilization is doomed RT @lasanaliburd: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner is the new Minister of National Security. via @DavidLarkinEsq
Other Twitter reactions took the same tone:
@top5jamaica: Wonders never cease to amaze RT @FaeEllington: Austin ‘Jack’ Warner is the new minister of national security of Trinidad and Tobago
@sidcelery: Good God! RT @RobHarris Disgraced ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner named Trinidad's minister of national security – @AP_Sports
@Lordhillwood: you couldnt make this up Jack Warner ex “Vice” president of FIFA who has a lot of vices is head of security in trinidad http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-lat …
…while @kstaw quipped:
WOW, we made the BBC. Let's hope Jack springs into action ASAP!!! “@BBCNews: Warner to head Trinidad security http://bbc.in/Oacp1h “

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Zambia: Will Zambia Score Boardroom Victory Against Sudan? · Global Voices
Gershom Ndhlovu

From the time it became known that Sudan, which beat Zambia 2-0 in a world cup qualifying match in Khartoum on 2 June, used an ineligible player, Zambian netizens have been hoping and praying that FIFA would award three points to the African champions.
Zambians were hoping that a FIFA meeting on 22 June would give them the much anticipated boardroom victory which was not to be. The world soccer governing body deferred the case apparently because of “insufficient information available.”
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) logo. Image courtesy of FAZ website
A citizen media website dedicated to football coverage, quoting a FIFA media department statement, reported:
This item was not on the agenda of the disciplinary committee meeting of today [Friday, June 22, 2012]. At the moment, FIFA is looking into the matter and expecting to receive more information, so it will still take a bit of time.
When it became apparent that Sudan had used Saif El Din Ali, one of the two-goal scorers of the match, who was on suspension apparently for receiving two yellow cards, Zambian netizens were rubbing the proverbial palms for a windfall three points.
On 15 June, FIFA was forced to issue a statement denying a strong rumour that had swept the internet that Zambian had been awarded three points from the game. Reported the Zambian Watchdog:
World soccer governing body FIFA has dismissed reports in Zambia that Chipolopolo has been awarded three points after it complained Sudan used an ineligible player in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Fans in Zambia Friday afternoon went agog when rumors circulated that Chipolopolo had been awarded three points.
The internet was awash with understandable congratulatory and celebratory messages from various individuals and apparently established media houses that Zambia had leaped to top Group D with six points which was albeit based on unconfirmed reports.
The rumour meant that Zambia, currently third on the log table with three points, was going to leap frog to the top of leaders Ghana, Sudan and Lesotho.
The Football Association of Ghana, the star-studded team Zambia beat during last year’s Africa Cup of Nations championship and beat again in the Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign in early June, expressed anger at insinuations that their bitter rivals would be awarded three points for Sudan’s infringement of rules and regulations.
Zambia won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2012. AFCON trophy is the most coveted trophy in African soccer. Image released under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Shasta
Reported a Zambian news website, Tumfweko:
The Ghanians feel it is unfair to award Zambia the 3 points who will automatically shoot to top the group on 6 points.
Some netizens had no kind words for Sudan which labelled Zambia “desperate” for not complaining within the necessary 48 hours against the use of an ineligible player. Vincent V. Zulu wrote:
If Zambia wanted to complain properly they must do that before or after the game within 48 hours and not almost a week later.” Gaafar said angrily, So they wanted Zambia to alert them?, The Sudanese are they stupid, where on earth do you alert your enemy about an invasion? FIFA will have to watch the match and they shall see that the ground was very hard so that Chipolopolo do not play their game, also when Sudan scored their Ball Boys were not giving the Zambians the ball And that stupid Goalkeeper was also playing delaying tactics.
It is, however, Gilbert Kalonde who captured Zambia’s predicament well when he asked a former FAZ administrator if we stood a chance of winning the case:
Bro Sims Simataa, do you think we have a chance in Zurich against Sudan? I think your impeccable experience in Soccer Administration puts you in a position that can help a lot of us understand what we are up against and prepare our minds for the outcome. I have read extensively about the rules, but knowing how this can be applied to our problem still eludes my sincere knowledge about how FIFA acts and behaves regarding such. As we all know disciplinary incidents arising from FIFA sanctioned matches are dealt with in compliance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code. In fact according to Article 8 Para. 2 of the Regulations for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, protests regarding eligibility of players are to be decided according to the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The onus for fielding only eligible players is left to the national associations themselves.
According to Article 18 Paragraph 4 of the Code, a player who is expelled from a game, by being shown a red card, is automatically suspended from the subsequent match. Indisputable that the Sudanese player was shown a red card, therefore suspended for the match against Zambia in Khartoum.
Article 55 Para.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code further provides that: ” If a player takes part in an official match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a minimum fine of CHF 6,000″. Again, indisputable that Saif El Din Ali did play and scored a goal while serving a 2 game ban.
With regard to forfeiting the match, the FIFA Disciplinary Code in Article 31 para.1 emphasizes that: “A team sanctioned with a forfeit is considered to have lost the match by 3-0″.
Now here is the crux of the matter, Zambia did not file or protest to the match officials within the 1 hour time given, and also did not file with FIFA within 72 hour time allotted for such. The aspect of limited time periods for launching protests has been introduced by the Regulations for 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil. However, to my understanding, the over-aching law with regards to all disciplinary matters is the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This Code does not impose time limits in lodging of protests with regard to eligibility of players.
Do you think FIFA will punish Sudan and give Zambia the crucial 3 points which may put us on the pathway to Brazil?
Replied Simataa:
On a point of laughter I hear we have back date[d] the ‘appeal’ lol. On a serious note if the letter of the word is followed we failed to appeal on time and do not deserve anything

author: Gershom Ndhlovu


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Armenia: A Slow Descent Into Fascism? · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Following the 8 May firebombing of a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan and the disruption by ultra-nationalists of a march for diversity two weeks later, the Huffington Posts asks if Armenia is slowly sliding towards fascism? In recent months nationalist actions have become more evident in the predominantly mono-ethnic country, including in April when a prominent peace activist was attacked, much to the concern of international human rights groups. And as even government officials have launched their own right-wing movements, Unzipped reposts the blog entry saying that alarm bells should now be ringing.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Bahrain: After Twitter  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Ahmed Habib tweets [ar]: “They have completed the stage where we have become birds who tweet on Twitter. They are now in the next stage and that is to find cages … for all of us!”


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Brazil: Anti-Corruption Bill Revoked · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

The Brazilian anti-corruption bill known as Ficha Limpa (No Criminal Record), had its immediate effect revoked by the Supreme Federal Court with 6 votes against 5, as Marcos Bahé, from the blog Acerto de Contas, informs [pt].

author: Raphael Tsavkko Garcia


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Brazil: Second Round of Occupy Belo Monte Started · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

Marcelo Salazar, a Brazilian engineer who works for the [river] Xingu Program of the Instituto Socioambiental, posted on Facebook a series of photos from the second round of “occupy” Belo Monte, which started on June 22, 2012, in the construction site of the hydroelectric power plant.


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Cuba: Havana Hosts Social Networking Festival · Global Voices
Joan Antoni Guerrero Vall

The Festival Clic or “Click Festival” was hosted last week in Havana, Cuba, organized by bloggers on the island, most notably Yoani Sánchez, author of the blog Generación Y [es] and founder of the Cuban Blogger Academy.
The event had the support of the Spanish social web event EBE [es] and the independent Cuban organization Estado de SATS [es], which generally evades government control, organizing debates, conferences and expositions about the future of Cuba and its transition towards democracy.
In a post on her blog [es], Yoani Sánchez presented the objectives of the  event, which she considers to not be obliquely political; but rather, focused more generally on the blogging community:
The event is driven by various organizations, groups and individuals of civil society, but doesn't pander to any of their particular interests. Its character is technological, not ideological.
El logo del Festival Clic
With this festival, the organizers hoped to counteract other events revolving around social media that have been organized by the Cuban regime and made possible by journalists and bloggers who toe the government line. Sánchez wrote:
We won't use any type of political segregation, nor will we use an ideological criterion for selecting participants — and we surely won't participate in the exclusionary tactics that other Cuban blogger and Tweeter conventions have suffered.
Without specifically citing it, Sánchez was referencing the convention Blogazo x Cuba: Primer Encuentro de Blogueros en Revolución, which was celebrated in Matanzas and organized by the pro-government blog collective La Joven Cuba.
The event's final declaration made the organizers’ political agenda explicitly clear, expressing unfavorable opinions of bloggers who criticize the regime, dissidents who have been dubbed “mercenaries” by the pro-government community. The event also generated an intense debate between bloggers tolerated by the regime.
The Festival Clic was held from June 21st until the 23rd and included sessions focusing on Twitter, netizens’ rights, and the current situation of digital publications in Cuba. There will also be workshops exclusively dedicated to technology.

author: Joan Antoni Guerrero Vall


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Egypt: The New President of Egypt is Mohamed Morsi · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012.
Mohamed Morsi was named the new president of Egypt. Netizens were on their toes awaiting the announcement of Egypt's next president.
Former president Hosni Mubarak's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq faced off with Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi in the run offs.
Hossam Eid made up his mind even before the result was announced [ar]:
Head of the election committee Farouq Sultan gave a long speech before the announcement, drawing ridicule from netizens.
Haisam Yehia jokes:
Basem Fathy reacts:
فاروق سلطان رئيس لجنة الانتخابات بيحيي فاروق سلطان رئيس المحكمة الدستورية على احكامه التاريخية
And Robin Wigglesworth draws more laughs when he tweets:
@RobinWigg: Expecting him to start detailing individual vote sheets being discounted for smudges of shesha molasses in Port Said.
Jokes aside, it was no laughing matter for Egyptians. Pakinam Amer notes:
@pakinamamer: Every time the annoucer says “ra2ees” (in any context) my heart skips a beat. #LOL #Egyelections
Amal Ghandour asks:
@amalghandour: Oh, why, why, why, do we always have to suffer an epic speech before we get to the bloody point. #Egypt.
And Sara Hussein screams:
@sarahussein: OH COME ON, ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS #EGYPT’
Jack Shenker adds:
@hackneylad: Bloody hell, the revolution is going meet its death at the hands of a thousand clichés and bureaucratic inanities at this rate #Egypt
From Tahrir, Evan Hill reports:
@evanchill: Everyone in tahrir is exasperated, hands on heads during this preamble.
Stay tuned for more reactions from Egypt.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012.


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Egypt: The Problem with Sharia  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Just An Egyptian discusses his problem with Sharia – Islamic law – in this post.


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Israel: Violent Protests Across Tel Aviv #J14 · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

Thousands rushed to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday evening, June 23rd, after violent clashes erupted between protesters and cops the previous day. On Friday, June 22nd, social justice (#J14) protesters attempted to re-occupy Tel Aviv's Rothshield boulevard with tents and were met with heavy violence from police. The police chief Yoram Ochion stated the protest was not approved due to legal “issues”.
The #J14 official website called on its supporters to assemble at Habima square Saturday evening:
On Friday, June 22nd, children, women, elderly and worried citizen were violently beaten because they executed the most basic right – the right to protest. Bleeding legs and many arrested protesters was the outcome of our attempts to place a tent in the boulevard. The disproportionate use of power and the oppression that we, the citizens of Israel, received today is a violent attempt of the Israeli regime to crush us. They took our apartments, our jobs, our right to live in dignity, our future, hope – and now they're trying to take away our freedom. Get up from your sofa, from the television, A/C's and shopping malls. Come out from your cars, break the walls, and rise with us – proud and determined for the struggle for our future.
In response, thousands hit the streets of Tel Aviv. More than 80 protesters were arrested after heavy violence erupted between protesters and cops. Bank windows were shattered and hundreds blocked two major roads and the Ayalon highway. Slogans such as “the people demand social justice”, “all the people are the opposition” and “the people demand democracy” were chanted throughout the evening.
Here are some tweets and images from Tel Aviv. Orly Barlev writes [heb]:
עשרות עצורים. ביצים נזרקו על העיריה קודם. איילון, אבן גבירול ודרך בגין נחסמו בו זמנית. 3 בנקים הושחתו. אלפים מול העירייה עכשיו #j14
— Or-ly Barlev (@OrLyBarlev) June 23, 2012
Nitay Peretz comments:
במדינה שבה בעלי ההון, הבנקים, הממשלה, המשטרה והמתנחלים רומסים ברגל גסה כל יום את החוק – מה אתם מתרגשים פתאום מזה שעוברים על החוק? #J14
— Nitay Peretz (@nitayp) June 23, 2012
The photograph below shows protesters taking over Ayalon Highway:
wow! Ayalon highway in Tel-Aviv is totally blocked by protestors #occupy #j14 #israel twitpic.com/9zqp65
— Gilad Lotan (@gilgul) June 23, 2012
The following tweet was posted two days ago but heavily retweeted during the height of the violence:
שים אוהל בשדרות רוטשילד ויעצרו אותך באלימות. שים קראוונים על קרקע פרטים בשטחים ויממנו לך בית #j14
— m l (@Tooltop) June 22, 2012
And in closing, someone posted an image of a tagged police car. The word written on the back of the police car reads “Mishta-ra'al”. “Mishtara” means police, “Mishtar” means regime, and “ra'al’ means poison. Effective word play references both the government and police as toxic.
“משטרעל”…. #j14 twitter.com/bneibraki/stat…
— דוס מחמד ® (@bneibraki) June 23, 2012
Here are some useful feeds for those of you who want to follow the Israeli social justice movement:
– Elian's excellent livestream
– #J14 on Twitter
– J14 on public Facebook status updates
– The official J14 website

author: Gilad Lotan


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Kenya: Human-Wildlife Conflict in Urban Jungle · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Angry residents of Kitengela, an outskirt of Nairobi, killed 6 lions on 20 June who attacked a dozen of livestock. A pride of lions invaded a homestead in the area the following day killing goats and sheep. Incidents of human-wildlife conflict have been on the rise recently.
We took a trip around Twittersphere to find out interesting reactions about the incident from Kenyans using the hashtags #Lion and #Kitengela:
@ntvkenya: #KWS [Kenya Wildlife Service] insists that it will deal with #killers of #sixlions in #Kitengela according to the #law
@Mainado: I think @kwskenya should be held solely responsible for the death of the six lions in #Kitengela. They could've done more to keep them in.
A humorous depiction of human wildlife conflict: Lions preparing for battle. Image courtesy of funkenya.com via @RobertAlai.
@jamessmat: #Lions attack 3 Manyatta's in Kitengela killing Livestock. Morans [Maasai warrior] are asking KWS to do their job before they help them in 24 hours
@LIONAID: And now, having lost over 90% of Africa's #lions, we see the emergence of the #lionbonetrade to kill yet more. How much worse can it get?
@oletoirai: @kws #kitengela. Yes there is no compensation for the killed livestock . . . Still a maasai should sit n watch?
Some tweeps used humor to express their opinions about the incident:
@coldtusker: Dear residents of #Kitengela, there are 7 billion people, you are NOT the star (or any sort of) attraction. The Lions are…
@shicsdavida: @insidelaura amma b heading to #kitengela n hp da lions don't take revenge on me thinkin am a #moran
@kimaniduku: @Mwangoedd dadangu mdogo,mambo vpi.tembea #kitengela ukunywe damu ya simba
@coldtusker: Residents of #kitengela – 99% tourists don't come see your goats, cows or you dance… They come to see Lions or hit the beach
@KenyanTwitcess: Kenya got some intelligent lions!! @StandardKenya: Kenyan #lions in revenge attack in #Kitengela http://bit.ly/MHlFGp
@coldtusker: IMHO, #kitengela residents should spear the MPigs [referring to Members of Parliament] stealing from Kenyans not the beautiful Lions just trying to survive…
The Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration (HWCC) reports that human-wildlife conflict is becoming more prevalent as human populations increase, development expands, the global climate changes and other human and environmental factors put people and wildlife in greater direct competition for a shrinking resource base.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Lebanon: Protesting Shalala’s Honorary Degree · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

Rami reported and posted a video of demonstrators who disrupted the Master’s graduation ceremony at the American University of Beirut to protest against awarding an honorary degree to Donna Shalala. The demonstrators protested Shalala's support for engagement with Israel.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Puerto Rico: Artist Nora Maité Nieves · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The digital magazine that covers issues of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States, En Punto, interviews artist Nora Maité Nieves [es], who lives in Chicago.

author: Firuzeh Shokooh Valle


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Puerto Rico: Goodbye, Mara Negrón · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The digital magazine 80 Grados dedicates [es] it's edition to scholar and professor of the University of Puerto Rico Mara Negrón, 51, who died in Paris due to a very recently diagnosed leucemia.


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Puerto Rico: Impunity Island · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

Blogger Ed Morales comments on recently released American Civil Liberty Union's (ACLU) report (PDF) on police brutality in Puerto Rico: “The report echoes a previous, scathing one on police brutality and abuse of civil rights in Puerto Rico released last September (PDF) by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which put the island commonwealth’s police department on notice, providing some hope that the situation might change. But that couldn’t be further from reality. The new report goes on to say that the use of excessive or lethal force is routine, and civil and human rights violations are rampant.”


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South Korea: Broadcasters’ Battle for Fair Journalism Continues  · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

In South Korea, an indefinite strike by broadcasters has continued for almost five months in the nation's largest TV network, MBC. MBC journalists and producers are urging the company president to step down, accusing him of incapacitating investigative new programs that criticize the government, by firing or reprimanding reporters and producers.
Pressure for resignation
Numerous people from various fields have joined the cause and a mass scale petition is going on to gather one million signatures to pressure the president to resign. However, MBC leadership made another unpopular decision and laid off two senior workers for no specific reason on June 20, 2012, inciting another public backlash.
Since Kim Jae-Chul became the president in 2010, 8 people have been fired [ko] and disciplinary action has been taken against 117 people. The labor union's Twitter account @saveourmbc, tweeted [ko] about the laid off workers:
김재철이 해고한 방송인만 8명.전두환 이후 최고의 언론학살입니다.최승호PD는 한국의 시사다큐를 이끌어온 거장입니다. 박성제 기자 역시 수많은 특종을 해 온 중진기자구요. 김재철은 구체적인 해고사유도 없이 이 인재들을 해고했습니다.
@earnkyun tweeted [ko]:
[…]김재철 사장의 언론대학살 이제 멈춰야 합니다!!언론이 마땅히 가져야할 비판과 감시의 기능을 스스로 포기한 김재철, 당신이야말로 해고 1순위입니다!
Many mocked the MBC leadership's excuse that the lay-off was in aid of ‘company innovation’. @tsbre tweeted [ko]:
유능한 사원해고가 혁신인가? 공원배회하다 더위먹었나? RT @hyunseok_Lee: 20일 임원회의에서 김재철 사장은 “앞으로의 50년을 위해 혁신과 개혁은 계속돼야 한다”고 강조했다고 한다. 최승호 PD와 박성제 기자를 해고한 날이다.
@glebbangzip tweeted [ko] about those two workers’ accomplishments, reminding people that the fired producer had played a leading role in the PD Notebook, the network's signature investigative news program that quite often criticized the current government and unearthed frauds committed by powerful people and organizations.
Intensifying conflict
MBC labor union workers are voicing their concern over the intensifying conflict. @hoyah35 tweeted a photo [ko] of union workers’ protest against the lay-off. Among its 1,600 employees, over 800 people have joined the protest [ko] and to fill the hole, MBC has hired about 60 new employees, mostly contract workers. Despite the leadership's claim that they are very close to ‘normalizing the situation’, with most of their talent out of the office, their news rating has plummeted over the month.
@saveourmbc tweeted [ko] about a significant drop in quality and rating of the news program:
김재철과 그 일당들! 방송만 나간다고 정상화가 아닙니다. RT @mbcjwy: MBC 뉴스데스크 시청률 2.9%! 친정부 낙하산사장 아래 비판을 두려워하는 간부들, 영혼없는 앵무새 시용기자들과 보도영상이 뭔지도 모르는 계약직VJ들의 당연한 성적표!
Twitter has been used as a channel for people show their support to broadcasters on strike. Many users have uploaded a photo of themselves with the petition webpage next to them. The strike's petition web page [ko] was set up to facilitate online signature gathering to pressure the president to resign.
This recent YouTube video posted by MBC's labor union shows citizens from various places signing the petition:
One of South Korea's influential Twitter users, Park Dae-Yong (@biguse), tweeted various citizens’ remarks made during the off-line signature gathering event. One tweet [ko] read:
“PD수첩 제보했다가 방송앞두고 김재철 사장이 막아서 방송 못나갔다”-MBC사장구속촉구서명시민
Numerous comments, such as this tweet [ko], said they miss watching Infinite Challenge, one highly popular comedy show widely loved by young Koreans for over seven years. The show went on an indefinite hiatus as its producer joined the strike:
“무한도전 보고 싶어요”-MBC김재철사장구속촉구서명시민
Welcome news
While broadcasters struggle in this uphill battle for fair journalism, welcome news was heard on the second week of June that the arrest warrants filed against the labor union leadership had been acquitted. Another key Twitter user @dogsul, tweeted [ko] after the court decision was made:
“업무방해죄 성립여부 다퉈볼 소지있고 파업 종결은 어느 한쪽의 노력만으로 되는 것이 아니다. 증거 인멸 및 도주의 우려도 없다” 법원이 밝힌 MBC 노조 집행부 영장 재기각 사유. […]
@saveourmbc tweeted [ko]:
이제 경찰과 검찰은 MBC 노동조합 괴롭히기는 단념하시고, 김재철에 대한 구속영장이나 청구하시길!!
Many people, including fellow broadcasters and journalists, have actively joined the force. Twenty four hour cable news channel YTN‘s union worker (@ytnmania), welcomed the court's decision via Twitter, calling the result an ‘inevitable conclusion’. Notable one-man media outlet Mediamongu tweeted [ko] about one weathercaster turning down a job offer from MBC since she didn't want to work in a place where Kim Jae-Chul is still seated as president.
Wiki Tree consolidated tweets by a movie director (@kimjhogwangsoo), who refused to be interviewed by an MBC journalist as a sign of support for the strike, despite needing to promote his new movie.
The Korean Association for Communication and Information Studies has released a statement [ko] lashing out at the company's president. The statement quotes a source saying that Kim was appointed to the position for being an ‘obedient’ person, and that investigative programs which revealed uncomfortable truths and monitored powerful figures have either been incapacitated or shut down under his rule.

author: Lee Yoo Eun


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Sudan: Unshackling the Sudanese Revolution · Global Voices
Maha El-Sanosi

Unlike other countries in the region, Sudan is grossly underreported, and this was ever so evident during Friday and Saturday’s street demonstrations. The Sudanese government keeps a tight grip on local media and bans journalists from reporting on issues of human rights and corruption.
This however does not justify the blatant lack of interest from international media outlets. Al Jazeera, for instance, played a prominent role in reporting the uprisings in several Arab countries, but netizens say it seems to ignore the events currently unfolding in Sudan.
Sudanese women at the forefront of #SudanRevolts.
The media coverage of recent protests in Sudan was confined to articles in Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, including some snippets on Al Jazeera’s English Channel. Other news outlets to cover the protests include CNN, the Malaysian news outlet The Star, the New York Times, Yahoo News, ABC News, and the Chicago Tribune. Nonetheless, this has not brought enough attention to the issues on the ground, as most of these news outlets don’t have much impact in the region, say netizens.
The protests kicked off after Friday prayers in a mosque in Wad Nubawi neighborhood in Omdurman. A call for protests tagged as #SandstormFriday was made a day earlier. The demonstrations were organized to protest against rising prices and the government’s new austerity plans that were announced by Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir and implemented last week.
Those who heard about the protest made their way there. Hamid was one of them; he tweeted [ar]:
After prayer, people gathered in front of the mosque and marched on one of the main roads in Wad Nubawi chanting anti-regime slogans. This protest lasted a few hours before police dispersed the crowd with tear gas and plain clothed police men infiltrated the ranks of the protesters.
After the protests were disbanded, Yousif Al Mahdi was on the scene and tweeted:
Protest back on inside district, wad nubawi fighting back, police cars in sideroads & firing tear gas @ houses
At the same time, similar protests started in Burri neighbourhood of Khartoum, and eventually in Al-Daim. The protests in Burri were quickly suppressed by security personnel and police. Al-Daim however was too much for the authorities to handle. Ammar Mahdi tweets:
Hours ago from #AlDaim district , ppl throwing police signs and step on them.
Moez Ali shares a photograph of a burning police car on Twitter
The protests in Al-Daim went on into the night with several police trucks burnt by protesters. Haitham Makkawi was on the ground and claimed that Al-Daim residents have taken over the scene:
Al-Daim residents have completely taken over! Photos of burnt down police trucks were all over twitter showing the aftermath of the protests.
Later that night another protest started in Siteen Street, a main road in Khartoum next to Riyad neighbourhood; this photo shows protesters gathering around a burnt tyre in the middle of the road.
Girifna, a non-violent movement, used social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to convey information about the whereabouts of protests around the tri-state capital. In this tweet [ar], Girifna directs people to the location of new protests in Omdurman:
Girifna’s efforts portray the advantages of citizen journalism in a country where free speech and reporting is suppressed.
The Sudanese online community was overjoyed by the events unfolding in the capital Khartoum; Hamid Murtada, who was at the heart of the protests, tweeted [ar]:
Some of the Sudanese Twitter users likened the events happening in Khartoum to those in other countries in the region and maintained solidarity with those struggling with dictatorial regimes elsewhere. Khalid Ewais, a journalist with Al Arabiya, tweeted [ar]:
The Sudanese Diaspora were on standby for those who needed help on the ground giving tips on how to document the protests and possible use of social media sites in the advent of an internet shutdown. Nada, a Sudanese residing in Egypt, advised on how best to cover the demonstrations:
if u are an IPHONE user & are amongst the protesters in sudan, download USTREAM thru the app. world. #SudanRevolts.
The online Sudanese community seems optimistic about the course of the Sudanese revolution, where many promise that June 30, 2012 will be the ruling National Congress Party's final anniversary.


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UAE: Dress Code Campaign Urges Extra Inches of Clothing · Global Voices
Salah Almhamdi

Two female Emirati nationals have launched a Twitter campaign to urge expatriates and tourists to respect the cultural sensibilities of the United Arab Emirates regarding dress. Their campaign pushed the Federal National Council to propose a law regarding dress code.
Some Emirati activists want to protect the local culture from being ravaged by Western habits in the country's cosmopolitan society. While the Emiratis have preserved their local dress, they want to ensure a minimum level of decency in public places.
Many awareness signs were put in malls to urge shoppers to follow certain dressing guidelines but with no effective results. The online dress code campaign has attracted the support of many netizens.
Dress code at a Dubai mall. Photo from Flickr by Zahid Lilani. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
When in Rome…
The campaign's official Twitter account said:
@UAEDressCode: Everyone can wear freely wat they like, but with simple limits. Extra inches of cloth won't kill you. #UAEDressCode #UAEDecency
Indian expat in the Emirates Farrukh Naeem tweeted:
@farrukhnaeem: I support #UAEDressCode as an Indian expat who respects his host – just like I would expect non-Indians to respect my culture back home
Abdulla AlKendi tweeted:
@AbdullaAlKendi: If you are against #UAEDressCode which is part of #UAEDecency Law, then you shall be pleased when people call you ‘b****’
Madonna and the UAE dress code
One of the things that prompted criticism towards Madonna's recent concerts in Abu Dhabi was the costumes. Writer Sandra Hiari said:
@sandra_hiari: Madonna won't certainly accept a #UAEDressCode. I wonder what the causes of the movement are; cultural?
Madonna performing in a skirt on June 12 in Rome, Italy, which is part of her MDNA Tour. Photo from Flickr by Luigi Orru. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Blogger Woman Unveiled posted:
I definitely support Al Muhair and Al Rayes’ movement. […] In the case of Madonna’s outfits and dance moves though, I think the context allows for some leniency. Plus, it’s not like anyone was forced to go. Fans of hers know that she can get quirky while entertaining live, and most look forward to what she has planned. With that being said, I know that some restraint on her part would’ve been applauded by her fans in the Arab World.
Are men affected by the new dress code?
Some women voiced their concerns about the revealing dress of some men. Blogger Umm Qahtan tweeted:
@UmmQahtan: men also need to cover their chests & not wear such tight shorts/pants it's sick when they adjust themself
Pam, an expatriate blogger, posted:
Everything I have read is directed at the way women dress. This has made me uncomfortable as I have also seen men dress inappropriately just as many times as women. If men are not included then such a law could be mistaken for the repression of women.
The UAE Dress Code campaign assured them that men will be indeed part of the new dress code:
@UAEDressCode: Men are also included they have to apply the dress code. :) #uaedresscode
How to implement the new law?
Expatriate blogger Pam outlined a strategy to implement the envisaged dress-code law:
I would recommend before implementing a dress code into law, the government invest in an education campaign. This has not been tried yet. Perhaps it is under consideration. Assuming the application of fining or punishing someone for inappropriate dress takes resources, time and money; just think of the savings for the judicial system. And not just the money – would you prefer to have your policemen chasing after people dressing inappropriately, or would you rather they focus on real criminals? Education is the key. Educate residents and tourists, and insist that the security at facilities ask people to leave the premises if they do not abide.
Dubai's Desperate Housewife raised the issue of the absence of criteria to define decent clothes posting:
But of course “inappropriate” is quite subjective. How do you quantify “respectful dressing”? A woman could be covered from neck to ankle in clothes so tight they hide nothing, while another could be wearing baggy shorts that show a little leg above the knee, but be far more chaste. […] But while some things are clearly not acceptable, there’s a large grey area. I almost feel we need an online service where we can ask before going out, “showing 80 per cent arms but zero per cent leg, outfit 50 per cent tight – what’s my decency rating?”

author: Salah Almhamdi


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Will a Unified Time Zone Work for Indonesia? · Global Voices
Juke Carolina

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, plans to synchronize its three time zones in October 2012. The business sector, especially travel operators, applauded the plan saying that synchronized time with Asia's financial capitals such as Seoul, Hongkong and Singapore would boost business activities and tourism.
However, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that the plan is ‘illogical’ while the Indonesian Council of Ullemas (MUI) said that change will confuse religious believers.
According to blogger Rusrian Yuzaf, the time change will influence people's habits including prayer habits of Indonesian Muslims:
Daytime in Bromo Mountain, East Java. Flickr photo by Robertus B. Herdiyanto used with permission under Creative Commons.
Teman-teman muslim yang tinggal di Jayapura misalnya tentu waktu subuhnya menjadi sekitar jam 3 atau jam 4 pagi (GMT +8).  […] Secara geografis kebijakan satu zona waktu ini mungkin tidak cocok untuk di terapkan di Indonesia. Belum lagi sebagian besar penduduk di negara ini beragama Islam. Toh jika nantinya ada lagi kebijakan mengenai jam masuk kantor dan jam istirahat diserahkan kepada masing-masing daerah disesuaikan dengan letak geografis masing-masing ngapain susah-susah merubah zona waktu.
Indoflyer is a site for the country's aviation enthusiasts.  On its forum, users are debating the economic benefits of a unified timezone. Indoflyer user afterburner said:
Untuk menjadi sebuah negara yang maju, penyatuan zona waktu bukan satu-satunya jalan. Tapi kalau memang bisa membantu mempercepat kemajuan, mengapa tidak? […]
Saya pribadi sih suka kalo Jakarta jadi GMT+8. Berangkat kantor udara belum panas, pulang kantor langit masih terang, tapi sudah tidak terlalu panas. Hal yang sama berlaku juga untuk kota-kota di zone WIB lainnya. Tapi penyatuan zone waktu ini bisa bermasalah untuk masyarakat yang tinggal di daerah zona WIT. Meraka berangkat kerja ketika matahai sudah tinggi, dan pulang ketika matahari sudah terbenam.
To become a developed nation, time  zones unification isn't the only way. If it helps the development, why not?[…]
I personally like Jakarta to be on GMT+8. The weather won't be too hot on the way to the airport, on the way home it'll still be daytime but temperate.  The same case will apply in other cities in Central Indonesia Time (WIB). But the time zones unification will become a problem to those living in Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT). They'll go to work when the sun is up and come home when the sun is set.
While user fadelart said:
Ane yang tinggal di Kaltim GMT+8 heran pas pertama kali ke Surabaya bangun saur jam setengah 4 udah pada imsyak
Kalau satu-satu cuma itu jalan terbaik buat kepentingan bisnis indonesia ane setuju aja.
I  live in East Kalimantan under  GMT+8, I was  surprised when I visited Surabaya, I had to take my Sahoor (author's note: last meal of the day during Fasting Month, consumed before dawn) before 3:30  AM, because  at that time Imsak (author's note: the beginning of fasting) has started.
If  the unification is the best way for business in Indonesia, I agree (with the plan).
Astronomist Marufin Sudibyo who wrote his assessment at Kompasiana, a citizen journalism division of a local newspaper,  said that the unified timezone may have serious implications:
penerapan WKI membawa sejumlah implikasi serius setidaknya pada dua hal. Pertama, terkait waktu Matahari dan ritme kerja. Waktu Matahari adalah waktu intrinsik yang dimiliki Matahari oleh posisinya akibat rotasi Bumi, yang nampak secara gamblang dalam terbit dan terbenam. Waktu Matahari ini amat berbeda-beda bagi setiap kawasan di Indonesia. Meski waktu Matahari tidak terganggu oleh rekonfigurasi zona waktu di bagian Bumi manapun, namun aplikasi setempatnya dalam waktu sipil akan turut berubah.
Should the government move forward with the plan, then it shouldn't rush to implement it and the populace should be thoroughly informed. Sudibyo elaborates:
implementasi WKI sebaiknya mulai berjalan per 1 Januari 2013. Pertimbangannya, selain meminimalkan gejolak publik (meskipun gejolaknya takkan bakal separah resistensi kenaikan harga BBM), tidak terburu-buru dan juga menyediakan rentang waktu lebih lama guna melaksanakan sosialisasi. […]
Kita belum mendapatkan satu gambaran utuh bagaimana Indonesia setelah penerapan WKI, khususnya dari dua kawasan ekstrim : kawasan terbarat dan tertimur Indonesia. Janganlah pembicaraan mengenai WKI hanya datang dari kementerian-kementerian bidang ekonomi tanpa menyertakan Kementerian Agama, padahal WKI memiliki implikasi cukup luas dalam aspek religi (khususnya bagi Umat Islam di Indonesia).
The WKI implementation is planned on January 1,  2013. In consideration, other than minimizing social turmoil (though the turmoil won't be as bad as resistance against fuel price increase), it won't be a rush as well as providing enough time to socialize the plan. […]
We haven't got a clear picture on what would happen if WKI is implemented, especially on two regions in the westernmost and easternmost parts of the country. WKI discussions should not be initiated only by the economic ministry. The Ministry of Religious Affairs should be part of discussions because WKI would  have wide implications in religious aspects (especially for Indonesian Muslims).

author: Juke Carolina


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Yemen: Attacks on Southern Yemen Jeopardize National Dialogue · Global Voices
Noon Arabia

This post is part of our special coverage Yemen Protests 2011.
After the “swift” military victory over Al-Qaeda and recapture of the three southern cities, Jaar, Zanjibar and Shukrah, which had also fallen very “quickly” to Al Qaeda, the military drove through Mansoura in Aden to quell protesters.
This video posted by: Talae3 Almajd leltaghyeer) shows tanks which returned from Zanjibar parading through the streets of Mansoura shooting live ammunition to “celebrate” in a power demonstration. The tanks were later used to quell separatist protesters in Mansoura.
While a National Dialogue is under way to discuss many of Yemen's issues, central security forces attacked Mansoura's square, where separatist activists staged sit-in protests for over a year, destroying their tents and using live ammunition to disperse them, killing and injuring some.
Naji Alkaladi tweeted:
@NajiAlkaladi: Storming of the Martyrs’ Square in #Mansoura @KatieZimmerman @Nefermaat @juhui67 @hrw #Yemen #SouthYemen pic.twitter.com/HB5envj7
Tanks stationed in Martyrs square in Mansoura, Aden. Photo shared on Twitter by @NajiAlkaladi
He also tweeted a photo of the peaceful protests:
@NajiAlkaladi:
#Yemen Sons of #Aden stand in front of a machine of repression and carry out a comprehensive civil disobedience pic.twitter.com/rl5QMh5s #hrw
Protesters staging a peaceful sit-in in front of a tank in Manoura, Aden. Photo shared on Twitter by @NajiAlkaladi
Hussain Al-Yafai tweeted in dismay:
@crazyyafai: Martyr's square in #Aden #SouthYemen was stormed this week, this is a great start to national dialogue with Southern secessionists. #Yemen
On Friday, June 22nd, a peaceful march was also attacked upon returning from a funeral of Ahmed Jamal Haydarh, a youth killed a day earlier by a security forces sniper, leading to two more people getting killed and six injured.
This video shows the peaceful march being attacked by security forces. (Video posted by aliwhpf)
Al-Yafai later tweeted updating the death toll:
@crazyyafai: So far around six people have been killed by snipers in #Aden #SouthYemen this week. #Yemen
Yemen Updates tweeted:
@yemen_updates:
Security troopers burnt down the stage of Malla protest site in Aden city this morning. #yemen #Aden pic.twitter.com/qiMiXYpF
Activist Boshra Al Maktari posted photos [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT] of the killed and injured in Mansoura on her Facebook page in a post entitled “Silence by the north on the Mansoura massacres” criticizing the revolutionary activists for not giving the Mansoura attacks the due attention.
Mohammed al-Sahimi tweeted criticizing mostly the Arab media blackout:
@malsahimi: “See no evil, hear no evil, say no evil” Today's media on the situation in #Aden #yemen! Real shame #aljazeera #bbcarabic #bbc #alarabiya
The Electronic Coordination of the Yemeni Revolution, which consists of 21 Major news pages on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+) condemned the attacks on Mansoura in an issued statement posted on the News of Yemeni Revolution, a Yemeni English news Facebook page, part of the Electronic Coordination.
The Electronic Coordination notes that it rejects this brutal repression towards the peaceful people of Mansoura regardless of their political or ideological affiliations, whatever their demands are. Attacking them in such an atrocious manner is considered a crime that can not be tolerated and hence we announce our full solidarity with the people of Mansoura and Aden and demand the government to stop all the murderers and criminals causing these massacres and call upon all the revolutionary Yemeni people from one end to the other to stand firmly against the perpetrators of those crimes against innocent civilians.
Blogger Afrah Nasser wrote about the Mansoura attack in her blog post.
She quotes Dr. Abdullah Abelsamad who writes on Facebook:
it's a genocide for southern people. Unfortunately, in Aden, there is a martyr after another, an injured person after another, displaced people, homeless people, shelling houses, no electricity, no water, and a tight siege on the whole city. It's a genocide.
Until the writing of this post 10 people have been reported killed in Aden and tens injured.
Summer Nasser tweeted:
@SummerNasser:
#Yemen: This not only will get the people of #Aden upset, but it will also give the southerners more of a reason to ask for separation
Sarah Alsakkaf also tweeted:
@yemen_sarah: what's happening in Aden is just another way to mess up the country!
Yemen's transitional government is going through serious challenges, apart from what is seemingly the priority, the war against Al-Qaeda, it is faced with a hunger crisis, a public anger throughout Yemen from enduring continuous and long electric power and water cuts due to recurrent attacks on the supply lines, a fragile national dialogue that could be jeopardized by the massacre in Yemen's south; which if not halted immediately would certainly aggravate further the deep southern grievances and possibly rip the country apart.
This post is part of our special coverage Yemen Protests 2011.

author: Noon Arabia


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5 Web Sites on Chinese Philanthropy in English  · Global Voices
Gloria Wong

If you are interested in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and desire to know more of  Chinese philanthropy, Helen's “5 Web Sites on Chinese Philanthropy in English” might be a good start for you. Helen is currently preparing for GP Common web site, and thinks it would be beneficial to have a clear idea on what is out there on Chinese philanthropy to readers in English.

author: Gloria Wong


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Brazil: Fortaleza City Dwellers Demand Liberation of Green Area · Global Voices
João Miguel Lima

Inspired by the massive “Veta, Dilma” campaign to protect the Brazilian forests, Fortaleza city dwellers launched “Libera, Luizianne“ urging Mayor Luizianne Lins to free a green area for the creation of Rachel de Queiroz Park [pt]. On June 24, supporters planted wooden crosses on the site, symbolizing the death of the park for real estate speculation, as can be seen on Facebook.

author: João Miguel Lima


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China: An Account of Citizen Disappearance · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Cao Yaxue from Seeing Red in China has translated civil rights activist Xu Zhiyong's account of his recent disappearance – a more than 24 hours interrogation and illegal detention.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Bridge Blogger List · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

DANWEI has presented its annual Model Worker Awards 2012, a list of the best specialist websites, blogs and online sources of information about China.


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Cuba: Papal Mass Dissident Still Protesting  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Pedazos de la Isla reports that “Andrés Carrión Álvarez, the Cuban who shouted ‘Down with Communism’ during the papal mass in Santiago de Cuba this past March…is still on hunger strike.”


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Egypt: Introducing the MorsiMeter · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012.
On June 24, a new president has been officially declared in Egypt and his name is Mohammed Morsi. The Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi has become Egypt's first freely elected president, and like all other candidates, he has his own presidential program and promises that voters – supposedly – elected him based on.
But how can Egyptians hold Morsi accountable for his promises and watch the progress in achieving them? Wael Ghonim tweeted about a new application for that.
@Ghonim: Tracking the performance of #Morsi (Egypt's newly elected president): http://www.morsimeter.com (via @ezzatkamel)
MorsiMeter, Tracking the performance of Morsi, the newly elected president of Egypt
The application is created by Zabatak, (@Zabatak), a non-profit initiative which aims at making Egypt become bribery free, corruption-free and safe. And on MorsiMeter's Facebook page, they describe the application as follows [ar]:
Egyptian netizens shared their thoughts and opinions about the meter on Twitter as follows:
@MagedBk: Brilliant! http://Morsimeter.com
@omarkamel: MorsiMeter NOT a bad idea. But must also measure how good we think those ideas are to start with. Security plan SUCKS.
@AbdoRepublic: Brilliant idea to assess #morsi ‘s performance. Goodbye Dictatorship
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012.

author: Tarek Amr


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Malaysia Plans To Expand Cash Transfer Program · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Khoo Kay Peng advises the Malaysian government to review its plan to further expand the cash transfer program known as Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M). The author insists the money can be used instead to stimulate the local economy

author: Mong Palatino


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Puerto Rico: Indie Music Coming Soon · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The music blog Puerto Rico Indie announces [es] it's next edition of the video series Archipiélago, in which the bands Las Robertas from Costa Rica and Dávila 666 from Puerto Rico will be performing. Stay tuned.


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Puerto Rico: Women and Cyberactivism · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The feminist coalition Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer has convened people to send contributions (in Spanish) for the next edition of their magazine, which will be dedicated to cyberactivism and feminism. Deadline is July 16, 2012.


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Senegal: Inaugural Use of Gender Parity in Upcoming Elections · Global Voices
Abdoulaye Bah

This July 1, 2012, the Senegalese will be called again to the polls for parliamentary elections. These forthcoming elections will be a first for West Africa, as the law on absolute gender parity in electoral lists will be applied for the first time.
The debates are lively, and numerous initiatives for women's significant involvement are ongoing across the country's social networks.
In a post on lesenegalais.net, Maté Dagnokho recalls [fr] some figures from the 2007 legislative elections:
Faut-il rappeler qu'en 2007, 14 partis et coalitions de partis étaient en lice avec 3 581 candidats à la députation. En 2012, 7 200 candidats vont «courtiser», pendant 3 semaines, les 5 millions d’électeurs pour obtenir un ticket et siéger à l’hémicycle avec une écharpe aux couleurs nationales afin de plaider les doléances de leurs mandants.
Posters read: (l) “Invest in education of girls and women to change the world” and (r) “For access of African women to land, capital and markets”. Image by Flickr user CNCD-11.11.11 (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).
Sitimrew News recalls [fr] that during the 2007 parliamentary elections, the proportion of women elected increased compared to in 2002. It adds that:
La 14ème législature de 2012 est venue accélérer le rythme, obligeant à chacune des 24 listes en compétition, à respecter la parité. Autrement dit, le mode de désignation est le suivant : Un homme-Une femme, bien que l’inverse soit possible : Une femme-un homme. Ce qui doit aboutir à un Parlement coloré, à 50% de femmes et autant d’hommes.
Numerous training seminars for female leaders were held across the country. On rofaf.org, Mbagnick Kharachi, who covered a story that took place in St. Louis, the ancient capital of Senegal, emphasizes [fr] the preparation of candidates in defending their viewpoints:
Sarr Sow, s'est réjouie de la mobilisation des femmes investies. Celles-ci ont suivi, dans les locaux du Conseil régional de Saint-Louis, les travaux d'ateliers et des simulations de meetings et débats parlementaires.
Quoting [fr] Ms. Saly Doumbouya, vice-chair of the Council of Rural Inor, Moussa Drame notes:
qu’il est vraiment grand temps que les gens, les femmes en particulier, vivent la parité dans nos sociétés car nous avons fait le constat que cela augmente leur pouvoir.
Video of Ndella Madior Diouf, leading candidate of the national party Taxawou Askanwi:
Issa Ndiaye's post, published [fr] on the online portal seneweb.com, regarding doubts about women's ability to fulfill their role of the elected people, has provoked a number of comments, some of which are very appropriate. For example, Kardiatou Dia says [fr]:
Vous serez a la hauteur mesdames, que dieu vous guide et résout vos problèmes; ce n’ est pas évident de trouvez le juste milieu de ce problème pour satisfaire le peuple sénégalais,  bon courage.
In another comment from the same article, Salambaye commented on the implications of the dress code [fr]:
une assemblée ou hommes et femmes sont tous en grands boubous et pagnes,  on risque de se glisser vers une assemblée religieuse…….puisque ces habits sont portès souvent dans les evenements religieux……..
Assemblée admits [fr] that she is not pleased with the comments that were published following this article. She says:
Je suis remontée quand je lis des écrits de cette teneur (aucune consistance, aucune objectivité). Pourquoi bon sang on ne parle pas de compétence des députés, conseillers et autres que quand il s'agit de femmes. J'ai fréquenté l'Assemblée nationale et je voyais des hommes ronfler en pleine plénière.
Feug gives her opinion [fr] on the debate sparked by the article:
propos machistes comme d'habitude. il y a eu des hommes encore plus ignares dans les assemblées précédentes , si vous avez eu à écouter parfois les débats , vous vous rendez compte que c ‘est KIF/KIF .
les femmes (..) ont beaucoup de bon sens . je me souviens qu ‘Adja Arame DIENE ( paix à son ame) faisait des interventions de bon sens par rapport au quotidien d ‘une mère de famille!!!
From the perspective of supporters of a real participation of women in political life, the true concern is the fact that some parties seek to get around the law by giving the women the role of stand-in. Thus, Boly Bah reveals  [fr] in a post published by lagazette.sn:
N’empêche, la parité peine à dissimuler cette vieille pratique machiste des politiques. Sur les 24 listes en compétition, seule Ndella Diouf est tête de liste nationale. Bien maigre ! Les femmes sont logées en deuxième position au moment où certaines ne sont pas tout simplement zappées de leur coalition originelle.
But the women are also getting organized to ensure that the elections are transparent. They have have created a platform [fr] of awareness, mobilization and electoral observation for the elections on July 1, at the initiative of several NGOs. The site ferloo.com informs [fr] that:
Des activités de sensibilisation sur la Loi sur la Parité et de mobilisation des femmes et des jeunes seront organisées, ainsi que la formation et le déploiement de plus de 50 observatrices électorales et journalistes moniteurs à Dakar et dans les régions le jour des élections pour observer le scrutin et le niveau de participation politique des femmes, en tant qu’électrices et en tant que candidates.
After these elections, Senegal could be the second African country, after Rwanda, to apply absolute parity in parliament. However, the parties have not always presented women candidates very favourably. No matter the number of those who will actually manage to enter parliament, the parity law is a major step towards greater democracy.

author: Abdoulaye Bah


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Thailand: Google Asked To Remove 374 YouTube Videos in 2011 · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

According to Google's Transparency Report, the Thai Ministry of Information requested Google to take down 374 YouTube videos in 2011 for allegedly insulting the monarchy in violation of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law.


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Afghanistan: More Girls Poisoned for Attending School · Global Voices
Alexander Sodiqov

Following our recent report on a string of attacks targeting female students at schools in Afghanistan, there have been three new attacks over the last three days in the country's north. About 300 girls have been poisoned. Commenting on the latest attack, Brazilian journalist Maria Stella Soares writes on Twitter: “Ignorance and brutality: Ninety students are poisoned at school in Afghanistan to discourage female enrollment”.

author: Alexander Sodiqov


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Africa: Celebrating Humanity through Photos and Videos   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

An article by BuzzFeed that recently went viral with over 1.6 million Facebook shares, highlighted 21 pictures that will restore your faith in humanity. Unfortunately, Africa and Africans were absent from the piece. Despite efforts to change existing narratives, the African continent is still widely known as a leading recipient of international aid and the place where international NGOs come to ‘save’ the fragile local population. While there is no denying the enormous needs of the continent, what is often lost in the many humanitarian stories from the region, are the stories of Africans helping Africans. But there is no shortage of great testimonies of human spirit from the African continent. Here are a few photos and videos that show that “Africa's got Heart” too:
Protecting fellow citizens during prayers in Egypt:
On February 3, 2011 during the Egyptian revolution, Christians put their own lives at risk protecting Muslims praying at Tahrir Square in Cairo, amid violence between protesters and Egyptian President Mubarak's supporters. For more background on the context of the photos, see our special coverage of the Egypt protests.
Egyptian Copts protecting Muslims on February 3 on Tahir Square – Public Domain
Welcoming home returning IDPs in Sudan:
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returned to their original village, Sehjanna, after living seven years in an IDP camp in Aramba. They are welcomed by relatives and friends who stayed back. The voluntary repatriation program is organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission.
IDPs return to their village and are hugged by the villagers on Flickr by UNHCR (CC license-BY)
Saving elephants in perils in Zambia:
From the Norman Carr Safari  in Zambia: “The Kapani Lagoon is a source of drinking water for the animals of the area, as well as the place to go for a relieving mud bath. Unfortunately though, a young calf was unlucky enough to get stuck in the mud when visiting the lagoon recently. The calf’s cries attracted her mother who rushed to her rescue, only to get stuck in the mud herself.”
Elephants stuck in mud. Image by Abraham Banda, Norman Carr Safaris
Team trying to rescue the elephants. Image by Abraham Banda, Norman Carr Safaris
The elephant comes out of the mud. Image by Abraham Banda, Norman Carr Safaris
Overcoming cyclone together in Madagascar:
Cyclone Giovanna made landfall in Madagascar [fr] on February 13, 2012. The cyclone was classified as a category 4, with winds of up to 194 km (120 mph) ripping up trees and electricity towers. Officials reported  that there were at least 10 casualties. The two main cities in Madagascar, Antananarivo and Toamasina, were out of power for long stretches, marking the darkest Valentine's Day yet in the country. The cyclone did not dampen the spirit of Malagasy people, who showed resilience and helped one another to move away from the flooded areas, all the while still wearing their brightest smiles.
Citizens helping each other and still smiling despite the flood during Cyclone Giovanna by Twitter user @aKoloina
Helping students with disabilities in Ghana
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah is an athlete and activist from Ghana. Yeboah was born with a severely deformed right leg. Yeboah rode 380 kilometers across his country to raise awareness and change perceptions of the disabled. He opened the Emmanuel Education Fund for promising students with disabilities.
Yeboah discussing overcoming disabilities with a child in a wheelchair. Screenshot from the documentary Emmanuel's Gift
Celebrating peaceful elections in Senegal:
An historical ending to a tense electoral period took place in Senegal on March 25, 2012. Incumbent president Wade was defeated in the presidential elections after citizens protested for months against his nepotist and authoritarian regime. In downtown Dakar citizens celebrated  the peaceful end of the Wade regime.
Demonstrators show their joy by Nd1mbee on Flickr, used with his permission
Protecting marine life in Mozambique:
Janet Gunter showcases a local NGO, Bitonga Divers, that strives to protect marine life by “making positive links between protecting sea life, tourism and economic development.” Here is a video of their work[pt]:
Winning an Olympic heat for Equatorial Guinea, months after learning how to swim:
Eric Moussambani Malonga is a swimmer from Equatorial Guinea. He gained fame when he won the heat although he had never raced more than 50m before the preliminaries, and was swimming by himself when the two other swimmers in his heat were eliminated for false starts. Eric confessed that the last 15m were very difficult for him as can be seen in the video. Yet his willingness to finish the race, while struggling mightily earned him a standing ovation from the audience.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Myanmar: Rohingya Boat Refugees Left Floating by Bangladesh Government · Global Voices
বিজয়

This post is part of our special coverage Myanmar's Rohingya.
Besides India, Myanmar is the other country which shares a border with Bangladesh. People in the border areas share similar languages and religions. Recently, the Rohingyas of Myanmar started fleeing from their homes on boats because of local ethnic riots in the Rakhine province and are now seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh; however, the government of Bangladesh is not letting them in, leaving them floating on the sea with their lives in peril.
After the severe ethnic riots the Rohingya minorities had no choice but to leave their villages to save their lives. They left everything behind and tried to enter Bangladesh through the porous borders. The land borders are not accessible easily, so they are using the waterways of the Naf river.
The Government of Bangladesh has taken a hard stance by reiterating that they are going to stop Rohingyas from trespassing. International human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently requested Bangladesh to open the border for the Rohingyas.
The United Nation’s refugee related organization (UNHCR) made the same request, but the government of Bangladesh has stuck to its policy. As a consequence these poor refugees are floating on the sea in uncertain and dangerous conditions.
Members of the Protest Rohingya Initiative hold banners and images of those caught up in the violence. Image by Firoz Ahmed. Copyright Demotix.
According to local newspapers, 768 Rohingyas were arrested and sent back while trying to enter Bangladesh. But they could also not go back to Myanmar because death awaits them there. So they are floating in the ocean on small boats.
Nasiruddin Hozza explains the position of the Bangladesh government and the realities for the Rohingyas:
Long ago Myanmar’s military regime declared that people from Arakan and rakhine state of present Myanmar are migrants from Bangladesh. For this reason if they cross over to Bangladesh, they will never be welcomed in Myanmar again. On the contrary, Mayanmar would find more grounds to name them as Bengali immigrants in the future. And this would clearly create more complications between these two countries.
Bangladesh, being an over-populated country, had given shelter to about half a million Rohingya refugees in 1978 who entered through Bangladesh border. The Myanmar government didn’t agree with this number quoted by Bangladesh government when some of them were repatriated later. So a large number of Rohingyas had to stay behind in Bangladesh, with no place to go. Now, the influx of more Rohingya refugees would definitely affect the social and economic conditions of the country.
More so there is rumor that the Islamic opposition party Jamat-e-islami is arming a section of the Rohingya refugees. So the government is strictly not in favor to let the Rohingya problems grow.
Here’s Nasiruddin Hojja explaining why the Rohingyas are interested in migrating to Bangladesh:
The Rohingya minorities in Myanmar are away from this politics and this is a case of their survival. An accusation against a Rohingya, that he raped a Rakhine lady, instigated attacks and counter-attacks in between Rakhine tribe and Rohingya tribe. That unleashed the hell for the Bengali speaking Arakanese and the Muslim minorities in bordering states.
They are running away from home, because they know they need to save their lives. Leaving behind all their belongings they are trying to enter a country by boat, which isn’t their own, where no relatives live. It is quite a tough job to climb mountains and trek in the hilly roads to cross land borders, so they are simply sailing on a boat on the Naf river (which is on the border) trying to find a shelter in Bangladesh.
Thousands of unregistered Rohingya refugees, who have left behind the persecution they faced in Myanmar and who are now caught in a trap between Myanmar and Bangladesh, stateless, unregistered, without food and lacking work. Image by Rajibul Islam. Copyright Demotix
He writes, but their miseries are not ending anytime soon:
Though they are coming here by boat, they aren’t being able to dock in the quay. The Bangladesh Border Guards are blocking the way, who are bound to carry out their orders. They are actually serving them with food and water as much as they can and forcing them to drift towards the sea.
Even though the Bangladesh Government is against the Rohingya refugees because of political reasons, a huge part of the population is on the Rohingays side only for the sake of humanity.
Arif from Somewhereinblog writes why people from Arakans are heading towards Bangladesh:
There is a riot going on in Myanmar between Buddhists and Muslims. The weak Buddhists are running away to different places for shelter, and the Muslims are not welcome in those places. Thus they are migrating to Bangladesh for shelter.
He thinks that rejecting those refugees is an act of inhumanity:
‘Bangladesh is unable to take the refugees inside the Border due to some problems’ the statement isn’t false at all. But do we lack that much mercy in our heart to point those people towards a definite death?
Anowar Hossain Farmer wrote in his Facebook Page:
It is impossible to direct the Rohingya women and children towards death, if there is even a tiny bit of humanity in us. Everybody has the right for their lives, all over the world. Any civilized man can understand the fact.
We have to remember that, this is not a business matter, rather a duty from the call for humanity.
Many people believe that many Myanmar citizens are to blame for the miseries of the Rohingyas. So Tomdachi suggested a solution that he came up with:
Though the riot was basically between Rohingyas and rakhines, the whole Myanmar population is siding with the rakhines. Some of my Burmese friends are putting up accusations against the Rohingyas in the internet. In their words, Rohingyas are Bangladeshis, and they are doing terrorism in Myanmar, they have burnt 20 rakhine villages so far and etc. On the other hand the Rohigyas are illiterate and disadvantaged. They don’t have anyone to take their side and fight back. So we should help them voice their opinions as much as possible.
A blogger name Amra Kather Dheki posted two pictures and wrote on Somewherein blog:
Please see these two pictures. These were taken in different times and in different context but both the pictures are expressing the same language. An appeal for helping distress people: their eyes shows uncertainty, pain of losing everything, hunger is being reflected in their eyes..
The first picture was taken during the liberation war of Bangladesh (A baby is crying on it’s mother’s lap) and the second one was taken recently when many Rohingya people were driven away from their own country and they trespassed through the waterway to take refugee in the neighboring Bangladesh. Please compare those babies. Innocent, tired, hungry and then falling asleep.
cbnbd.com provided a report on a Rohingya infant rescued from an abandoned boat:
BGB troops rescued one Rohingya infant on Wednesday at noon from an abandoned boat in Naf river. They handed over that devastated female child to a Bangladeshi family in Teknaf. The members of that family are looking after that infant and they informed that the infant is terribly sick and unfit.
This family is not only trying to save a child, but trying to save humanity from its extinction, and it is nessecery for this cruel world.
This post is part of our special coverage Myanmar's Rohingya.

author: বিজয়


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Bhutan: Wangdue Dzong Fire Images · Global Voices
Rezwan

Passu Diary witnessed the recent devastating fire at the Wangdue Dzong which stood for nearly 400 years and posts some pictures.

author: Rezwan


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Bolivia: Tensions Rise as Police Mutiny Continues · Global Voices
Pablo Andres Rivero

A police mutiny is into its sixth day in Bolivia as low-ranked policemen are demanding, among other things, levelling up their wages to the same amount military officers currently earn. Public figures showed a difference of up to 40% in these two wages.
Protests escalated and the tension increased on Thursday June 21, 2012, when police unionists and the wives of the low-ranked policemen broke in and took control of the UTOP (Tactic Police Operations Unit), a unit a few blocks away from the Presidential Palace in La Paz.
According to local media [es], towards midday on June 21, 13 officers were expelled from the UTOP premises, and tear gas grenades were used. Low-ranked policemen not dressed in uniform then took control of the UTOP and later distributed guns and ammunition.
Journalist Miroslava Fernandez (@kiske_one) reported via her Twitter account [es]:
Policias vestidos de civiles toman la UTOP, armamento es tomado, y cmdte anuncia salir y dejar que #MotinPolicial tome el lugar.
This clash marked the beginning of the mutiny.
Journalist and blogger Boris Miranda gathered and shared a footage of the first hours of the mutiny:
The low-ranked police forces’ list of demands includes four key points: levelling wages, retiring with 100% of rent, a new Law for internal affairs, and the creation of the police ombudsman.
By the evening of June 21, violent demonstrations and mutinies spread out in eight out of the nine regions of the country.
Moreover, as Santa Cruz based blogger Eduardo Bowles commented on his blog [es], the context in which the mutiny takes place is highly conflicting:
La protesta policial, que ha llegado a límites nunca vistos, con uniformados atacando sus propias guarniciones y sacando a patadas a sus superiores, no es un hecho aislado. Se produce cuando está por llegar a la sede de Gobierno la marcha de los pueblos indígenas que tratan de proteger el Tipnis de las ambiciones desmedidas de las nuevas élites nacionales; surge cuando un senador se mantiene cautivo de los caprichos de las autoridades, que se niegan a aceptar el asilo político que Brasil le ha concedido; estalla cuando hay tres parlamentarios haciendo una vigilia en una oficina de la ONU, cuando hay varios presos políticos que hacen huelga en la cárcel de San Pedro, cuando hay cocaleros bloqueando caminos, cuando grupos de mineros se atacan a dinamitazos, cuando acaban de asesinar a otra concejal en el Beni […]. El motín policial llega en el momento de mayor hastío de la población frente a los abusos cometidos por un régimen que ha desilusionado por completo a las grandes mayorías que le dieron su apoyo para cambiar el país, pero de otra forma.
A day after, on Friday, June 22, while government authorities and unionist continued negotiating the demands, mutinied policemen broke into the Internal Affairs, Disciplinary Tribunal and Intelligence offices, damaging the premises and burning documentation and computers.
At that time, government officials spoke on national media denouncing that a coup d'etat was underway. Andrés Gómez (@AndrsGomezV), a journalist based in La Paz, stressed via Twitter [es]:
Y un detalle a tuiteros del exterior, no hay golpe de estado de derecha en Bolivia, es un#motínpolicial por malas condiciones económicas
As updated previously on Global Voices, by Thursday afternoon the hashtag #motinpolicial [es] (“police mutiny”) on Twitter began gathering citizen reporting and reactions to the mutiny.
Negotiations over the four-point demand continued over the weekend, which coincided with the traditional festivity of San Juan.
On the evening of Sunday, June 24, an agreement led by Minister of Interior Carlos Romero was reached between the government and representatives of Anssclapol, the National Association of Non-commissioned Officers, Sargents, and Policemen.
However, the agreement was rejected by mutinied policemen and further demonstrations took place on Monday, June 25, this time at Murillo square in La Paz, right in front of the Presidential Palace. Meanwhile, government officials in La Paz continued accusing the policemen of attempting a coup, something that has been repeatedly rejected by mutineers.
The representatives of the mutinied policemen also announced an updated list of demands, stressing that the increase in wages is a must and that bonuses are not accepted. The new demands also include an additional point: no retaliation for mutineers.
A new round of negotiations is underway while Bolivia's cities remain without guard or police assistance for the sixth day.
Cecilia Lanza (@majabarata), a Twitter user based in La Paz, comments through her account [es]:
Me gustaría pensar que #motinpolicial sea, por fin, rebelión de la Policía contra su propia corrupción. Salarios dignos a cambio d un cambio

author: Pablo Andres Rivero


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China: Local Residents Clash with Police in Shaxi, Guangdong · Global Voices
Gloria Wong

Police from Shaxi, a city in China Guangdong Province, confirmed on their official Weibo account a barrage of police officers during a public protest. The protest was sparked on Monday, by the beating of a local elementary school students by a teenager from Chongqing. The local officers came to tie the teenager up and injured his face, which triggered the clash and a hot debate of status of migrant workers in the city . FMS has the full story.


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China: Reporter Resigns for Dirty Joke About Female Astronaut · Global Voices
Gloria Wong

Female astronaut Liu Yang has come to represent the recent launch of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, a space mission for the manifestation of China's national glory. Prior to this, a decision by Southern People Weekly reporter Cao Linhua to crack dirty jokes about Liu and her fellow astronauts using China's largest social media platform, Weibo Sina, has resulted in his resignation.
Cao's original comment, dated June 12 (and since deleted, but published by Malaysia's Sin Chew Daily [zh]), read:
2男1女上天，要是上天下來後檢查懷了孕怎麼辦？這是不是國家培訓太空人計劃之一？
Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut. Image from Off Beat China.
Cao's joke provoked some netizens in a big way, but at the same time served to illustrate how other netizens feel in comparing between the fate of two women, Liu Yang and Feng Jianmei in China.
The former is seen to represent the state and has touched heaven, at the same time that the latter has reached hell by means of a forced late-term abortion.
Liz Carter from Tea Leaf Nation has explained such netizens sentiment through translations of “Sudd's” (@假裝在紐約‘s) Sina Weibo comments:
We can successfully send a female taikonaut out into space, and we can also forcefully abort the fetus of a seven-months-pregnant woman from the countryside. The stark contrast between the fates of these two women, 33-year-old Liu Yang and 22-year-old [sic] Feng Jianmei, is the clearest illustration of the torn state of this nation. As glory and dreams illuminate disgrace and despair, cutting-edge technology exists alongside the shameless trampling of the people. Rockets fly into the heavens while morals reach new lows, the nation rises while the people kneel in submission. This is how the best of times meets the worst of times.
Sudd's microblog was then reposted by celebrity blogger Han Han to his millions of fans, received numerous mentions across social media platforms [Han Han's post was also deleted].
However, in contrast to the fate of CCTV's host Yang Rui, whose equally insulting comment regarding the “cleaning of foreign trash” was defended by commentators from state-run media, People's Daily [zh] quoted a current leading Weibo survey [zh], created by user Maenliesimao (＠大史公說), and its result that 91% of netizens feel Cao should resign from the newspaper [down to 87% at the time the survey expired].
Cao eventually made a public apology on June 19. Although a separate survey [zh] created by Zhang Hai (@烟大張海) shows 64.8% of respondents opposed to demands for Cao's resignation, it seems public opinion offers little help to someone who insults not just the astronauts, but also one of the nation's glory projects.
As such, here are several Weibo comments debating calls for Cao's resignation [zh]:
@九成博友： 曹林华的错误属于言论型错误，这种错误受到惩罚的程度主要取决于扩散范围和影响。作为知名报社的记者，他在微博上发表言论导致的扩散范围和影响远超过普通网民。如果是普通网民，不可能有这么多人关注，也就不会造成如此大的扩散范围和影响。
@金台-夕照： 人只因其犯的错受到惩罚，而不因其所在的地位而受到惩罚，曹记者出口轻浮、隐念不堪、性别歧视，这远远超过“调侃”范畴。无论其是不是知名报社的记者都应 当受到惩罚，有些人会因为没有人注意到而没有受到惩罚 。
@麦道与波音 我仍然坚持这是言论自由。道歉可以，上升到辞职就拔高了，捍卫他人的权益最终即是捍卫自己的权益
@柯华上海：他的话是玩笑？他的话是对女性的侮辱！
@木易金昆：“发微博的时候是一名公民”？公民就有肆意辱骂他人的权利么？ @曹林华 就是个法盲加流氓，必须要让他付法律责任。大家可以联名起诉他。
@莲花台888： 发微博和不发微博的时候都是人。人，在任何时候都不能把自己降低到畜生的档次。
@美国移民律师事务所老叶：为什么要带这么大的帽子给这个年轻记者？美国直接就是讨论太空人的性生活问题，新浪昨天也有报道。


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China: Shanghai Metro Blames Sexual Harassment on Women’s Immodest Clothing · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu reported a debate in reaction to Shanghai Metro's microblog post, which blames sexual harassment on women's immodest dressing. While some women have stood up to protest against the sexual discrimination, the popular sentiment online has sided with the Metro company.


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China: Victim of Late Term Abortion Labelled as Traitor · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The father of the aborted seven-month-old fetus, Deng Jiyuan, upon interviewed with a German reporter was labelled as traitor of the country and the local government mobilized residents to protest outside his house. David Wertime from Tea Leaf Nation has the full story.


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Comoros: Women Barred from Public Beach for Religious Reasons    · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Women are no longer welcome at the beach of Itsandra-Mdjini [fr] reports Mlimadji in Comores-Actualités.  He explains that city officials decided to ban women from the beach at the request of religious leaders.  The beach is managed by the cultural association Twamaya and  has historically been open to everyone without consideration of gender or age.


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El Salvador: Citizens of Mejicanos Protest Construction of Walmart Store · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Voices from El Salvador reports: “This past Thursday civil society organizations, international solidarity groups, students, and community associations came together to protest the construction of a mega Walmart store in Mejicanos, a municipality in northern San Salvador.” In a stament, organizers say that communities must be consulted about these projects.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Hong Kong: Maid’s Toilet and Bedroom · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Local newspaper exposed that a popular children songs singer Purple Lee has put her migrant domestic maid to live in a room where there is a bed and a toilet bowl. Dictionary of politically incorrect Hong Kong Cantonese has translated netizens’ reaction to the news.


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Kyrgyzstan: Incident in Batken Highlights Cross-border Ethnic Tensions · Global Voices
Alexander Sodiqov

Passions flew high in the southwestern Kyrgyz city of Batken last week after local residents took a group of Tajik citizens hostage in an attempt to force the release of three locals detained in Tajikistan on smuggling charges. As Matthew Kupfer writes on Registan.net, “such events certainly aren’t helping interethnic relations within Kyrgyzstan. And, they can potentially lead to worse incidents.”