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Ukraine: Bloggers Spread Information About Political Repressions · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

Twenty years since Ukraine’s independence, a generation has grown up for whom the USSR, with its oppression of any dissent and a system of total fear, is nothing but a history textbook term. However, a recent wave of political repressions that began in Ukraine in 2010 has sparked widespread comparisons with the country’s totalitarian past.
Arrests of government officials who served under former Prime Minister and current opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko began less than a year into the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych. Among those accused of corruption [ENG] are ten of her senior aides, a former Interior Minister and an opposition party leader Yuriy Lutsenko. Tymoshenko herself has been recently denied a trip to Brussels [ENG], due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
In addition to ex-government officials and opposition leaders, the list of professions that have recently become dangerous in Ukraine includes civic activists, entrepreneurs, journalists, bloggers, and even writers. This trend has prompted some analysts to speak of a systematic crackdown on dissent [ENG] rather than a widespread campaign against corruption launched [ENG] by the current President.
While the mainstream media have been providing consistent coverage of the cases against former senior state officials and the opposition, reports of numerous arrests and pressure on the not-so-prominent figures have been sporadic. In fact, most chronologies of political repressions against “ordinary people” have been attempted by bloggers, independent journalists, and cyber-activists.
Among the first ones to make such an attempt is Diana Makarova (LJ user diana-ledi), a journalist-turned-blogger. On Jan. 21, 2011, she put together the available information and came up with more than 40 names of those who have been detained or pressured since December 2010. Among them are participants of the 2010 entrepreneurs’ Tax Protests [ENG], accused of damaging state property, 15 activists of the nationalist organization “Tryzub” (charged with blowing up an illegally-installed monument to Joseph Stalin), activists of political party “Svoboda” (same charges), Ukrainian writer Maria Matios, poet and magazine editor Marina Bratsylo and her husband Yuriy Noga (charges unclear), blogger Olena Bilozerska (see this GV post), head of a regional branch of political party “People's Self-Defense” (charges unclear), and a Zaporizhzhya history student not connected to any political organization, Eduard Andryushchenko (LJ user did-panas23), who had been gathering information about Ukrainian nationalist movements for his thesis.
Below are a few translated excerpts from the chronology posted on Makarova's blog [RUS]:
On Dec. 10, 2010, ARRESTS OF ENTREPRENEURS involved in the organization of the [Tax Protests] HAVE BEGUN. Charges include damaging marble tiles where the tent city had been set up. In Kyiv, a participant of the entrepreneurs’ [protests] Sergei Kostakov has been detained. Sentenced to two months. The court hearing took place with no lawyer present.
[…]
Jan. 10, 2011. Some 15 leaders of “Tryzub” have been detained. […] There’s no way to communicate with those arrested, it is not known where they’re being kept, their relatives and lawyers are being prevented from visiting, nothing can be passed to the detainees.
[…]
Around the same time […] Eduard Andryushchenko, who is not officially connected to either “Svoboda” or “Tryzub”, was arrested. After three days of interrogations, the [young man] was released. But the police were waiting for him at the exit. After this second arrest Eduard Andryushchenko disappeared. The police kept his location secret for about a week.
[…]
Jan. 13, 2011. Four members of organization “Tryzub” (Philip Taran, Roman Khmara, Sergei Borisenko, Rostislav Vinar) are being transferred from [Ivano-Frankivsk] to [Zaporizhzhya] (supposedly for an investigation-related experiment). Vasily Labaichuk is already there. After that their destiny remained unknown despite searches at the [State Security Service], detention areas, etc. Relatives and a lawyer were prevented from visiting the arrested.
[…]
Jan. 17, 2011. Roman Khmara has been found. He is being kept in Leninskiy District Police Department. He’s been beaten up by representatives of Rohatynskyi District Police Department, since the day of the arrest the lawyer hasn’t been allowed to visit him, he is in need of medical treatment.
[…]
Jan. 20, 2011. [Chernovtsy]. Brutal detention of an entrepreneur Lidiya Gaina, one of the participants of the [Tax Protests]. She was called to appear before police as a witness, and was then taken to court, without any explanation. As a result of such detainment, the woman had an asthma attack and heart problems. […]
Other bloggers who tried to spread information included Kyiv-based LJ user ax-attilla, who listed [UKR] the arrested activists of nationalist organizations, Yevgeniy Novitskyi from Simferopol (LJ user novitsky), Kyiv-based LJ user klodius, Dnipropetrovsk blogger Andriy Denysenko (LJ user andr-denysenko), LJ user ooany-wonderoo, Kyiv activist Andriy Khartanovych (LJ user endryx), Kyiv-based blogger and journalist Olena Bilozerska (LJ user bilozerska), and others.
Members of Maidan.org.ua, a popular Internet hub of citizen activism, have created a wiki-based collection [UKR] of materials on recent political repressions in Ukraine.
One of the website’s activists, Natlaka Zubar (LJ user pani-maidan), wrote this [UKR]:
15 people arrested for political activity and dozens under investigation, and that's only in one month – is that enough to speak of the beginning of political repressions? I'm sure if [we] don’t scream about it from every corner, the number would grow too fast for the society to be able to realize the scope of the repressions. […]
Zaporizhzhya-based LJ user mylady_miran wrote this [RUS]:
“Why are you making a fuss? It hasn’t affected you, has it…” – I’ve been asked this recently about my [reposts, RUS]. The question confused me. I am “making a fuss”? I am “making a fuss” because I no longer feel comfortable in my country. Because I don’t like what I see and hear. […] The things that are taking place in my country terrify me. […] And I know that they are being done precisely to induce terror.
There’s been a lot of mess since Ukraine gained its independence […] but during this period a generation has grown up that does not know what it means “to be afraid” in a sense typical of the Soviet Ukraine era. People are now used to saying what they think about the government, politics, and the situation in the country [without fear]. […]
Yes, this has not affected me yet. God willing, it won’t. But if it does… then it would be too late to be afraid. And I don’t like to be scared. I am no good at it. And I don’t want my children to learn how to be afraid either. Don't want them to get used to seeing their parents scared – and keeping quiet because of that.


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‘You’re next, Kim Jong-il!’ Korean Peninsula Watches Egypt · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

News of the Egyptian revolt has reached the Korean peninsula, and speculations are rising in South Korea about whether it could spark mass protests in North Korea where the population also suffers under an incompetent authoritarian regime. South Koreans overthrew their own military regime in the 1980's with mass public protest, and are voicing their support for the Egyptian protesters.
RosyScarf wrote [ko] in a public online discussion forum that Kim Jong-il would feel unsafe with the revolt happening in Egypt, since it is believed that the two countries have friendly relations. Egypt's Orascom Telecom owns a majority of North Korea's only 3G cellular network. The CEO of the company met and had dinner with North Korean leader Kim Jung-il on January 26, the day after the Egyptian protests ignited.
Chang Song-taek (L) and Kim Chong-il pose for a photo with Naguib Sawiris, Orascom Telecom Holding chairman and CEO. By KCNA (via North Korea Leadership Watch)
이와 관련 이집트와 전통적으로 가까운 관계를 유지하고 있는 북한 김정일 정권도 편하지는 않을 것 같다. 이집트는 아들에 대한 세습을 시도하다가 국민들의 거센 저항에 봉착하고 있는데, 3대 세습을 자행하고 있는 김정일로서는 이집트 국민들의 민주화 시위가 남의 나라 일처럼 여겨지는 않을 것이다 아마도 김정일은 이집트 사태를 예의주시하면서, 이집트 민주화 시위 소식이 북한으로 확산되지 않도록 외부장막을 더 높이 쌓으려고 할 것이다.
In the same forum, GangPitDae said [ko] that North Koreans will no longer tolerate the authoritarian rule of the Kim family, who have been in power for 66 years. The regime is responsible for the terrible economic rupture that has caused millions of deaths from starvation.
이번 사태는 지역과 종교, 문화를 막론하고 민주주의는 거스릴 수 없는 시대정신 이며, 인류사회의 대세임을 보여주고 있습니다. 당연히 북한도 예외가 될 수 없습니다. 북한주민이라고 해서 주민들의 기본적인 생존조차 보장해 주지 못하는 형편없는 못난 정권에 마냥 복종하지는 않을 것입니다. 다음차례는 바로 김정일 정권이 될 듯 싶네요.
To support this speculation, Radio Free Asia (RFA) [ko] reported, quoting an anonymous businessman, that many North Koreans have heard of the Egyptian protests via their cell phones and that officials are taking events very seriously. The report said that North Koreans living abroad had spread the news to their relatives and families in North Korea, and that they passed it on to others within the country via cell phones. While international calls are closely monitored, the inland cellular network is not entirely controlled. The report also said that North Koreans also receive the information by secretly (and illegally) watching South Korean television news programs.
When news of the protest reached South Koreans, many recalled the Gwangju Democratization Movement (or 518 movement) in 1980, a popular uprising in the city of Gwangju from May 18 to May 27. Korean citizens rose up against Chun Doo-hwan's military dictatorship and took control of the city but were ultimately crushed by the South Korean army. The army blocked all routes and communications leading into and out of the city and the official figures told that 144 civilians, 22 troops and 4 police were killed. However, reports by foreign press said the actual death toll was in the range of 1,000 to 2,000.
Blogger Amil12 expressed his support for Egyptians, as someone who had tread down a similar path in history.
이때 많은 사람들이 죽었죠. 이 사건이 없었다면 지금 같은 민주주의가 없었을 수도 있었습니다.[…]이번 (이집트)시위에서 최소 62명이 사망하였고 (지금 글 쓸 때는 100명 이상이라고 하네요) 2000명 정도가 다쳤다고 합니다. 여러분들 힘내세요! 한국의 한 블로거가 여러분들을 응원합니다.
When Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced that he would not run for re-election in September, Korean bloggers wrote skeptically that this may not be entirely good news. Many have written that the president's withdrawal does not necessarily mean a breakdown of the vicious cycle of corrupted power as Korean history also shows. After president Chun Doo-hwan stepped down in 1988, Roh Tae-woo, a military general who assisted in leading troops to the Gwangju city, became the next president. This was widely perceived as ‘handing Roh the presidency’, and triggered large pro-democracy rallies again in 1987.
On Twitter, @Heyinbo who works in the media tweeted:
이집트 민중들의 피로 쟁취할 민주주의의 열매를 엉뚱한 놈이 따먹지는 않았으면 좋겠네요.
According to a PTI/AP report today (from The Hindu website), Mubarak has said that he is “fed up” and wants to step down, but fears that the nation will “sink in chaos” if he does. While this may be true, Korean history shows that this kind of chaos may be necessary on the path to democracy.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Lee Yoo Eun


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A Visual Glance At the Gov. Censorship Around the World · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

Jone Pavlus posted on the Fast Company’s Co. Design site a stark set of infographics visualizing the governments censorship on the internet around the world. (Click here to see its interactive version)


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Afghanistan: Planning failure puts billions at risk · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Nick Fielding reports that, according to an audit by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), $11.4 billion is at risk due to inadequate planning for the construction of nearly 900 Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) facilities.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Africa: The African Union and its problems · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ken looks at problems facing the African Union: “The just concluded AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia had two key problems to address: the political crisis in Ivory Coast and the legal battles involving six Kenyans who face charges at the ICC. So far the continental body appears to have failed on its attempts to address both problems.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Bahrain: Valentine’s Day or a Day of Anger? · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
In Bahrain, both online and off, residents have expressed solidarity with Egyptians, even holding a protest at the Egyptian embassy on February 4.  Though the rally was largely a solidarity action, for Bahrain's own opposition, the protest–which was sanctioned with a permit by the government–was an opportunity to vent their own concerns.
Photo by Flickr user malyousif
Taking advantage of a so-called “domino effect” in the Arab world, some Bahrain residents are calling for a February 14 “Day of Anger” in their own country.  On Facebook, a group calls for the 14th to be “revolution day”, while a website by the group Bahraini Youth for Freedom makes a clear declaration of their demands.  On his blog, Mahmood discusses what a revolt in Bahrain could mean:
A quick search of possible “flash dates” in the Arab world resulted in one very close to us; the commemoration of the declaration of these very islands of Bahrain to be a Kingdom. That date of course isFeb 14, just a couple of weeks away.
A smart government would tone down its celebrations at this particular time. A smarter government of course would immediately engage its populace and show them that the long promised reforms are immediately introduced in tangible forms in order not only to momentarily ameliorate their citizens’ senses, but to simply make good on its promises.
What do Bahraini citizens want? Live in dignity and have their basic human rights, and intellect, respected. Translating that into practical terms, I personally think the very first thing that should be enacted is the declaration of an impartial truth and reconciliation committee with all relevant powers, the rescinding of contentious laws, particularly 56/2002 and the enacting free press and respect for freedoms of association and speech.
Will the government be cognizant of these feelings and acquiesce to these reasonable requests? Especially when you consider that these very factors will strengthen their position and perpetuate their rule?
I don’t know. After ten years of promises, I feel its high time that those promises are enacted.
The last thing we need is even more strife in this country. We’ve had enough.
An image found on the February 14 Revolt Facebook Group
On Twitter, Bahrainis are debating the idea.  @BahrainiTweets concedes:
Bahrain does need continuous reform, and brave pple fighting Corruption not idiots trying to ruin Valentine's with a Burning Tire!! #feb14
@FreedomPrayers has a different concern:
I wonder who is organizing #feb14 anger day if ALL “terrorists” are already jailed, if “national security” done their job right.#Bahrain
@instajoker sees a move from the government to quell the protests:
In anticipation of #feb14 protest the Bahraini King announced that he will inject the budget with 100 million bahraini dinars as subsidies!
Lastly, @emoodz asks a timely question:
The hate of Mubarak brought muslims and christians in Egypt together, what does it take to bring sunni and shia together in#Bahrain?
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

author: Jillian C. York


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China: Afraid to go home for the New Year · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ChinaHush has translated the lyrics of a popular Internet song, Afraid to go home for the New Year, written by He Puxian a drifter singer from Hubei.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: The coming of age of Political Confucianism? · Global Voices
Andy Yee

Confucius is enjoying a revival as the state ideology of China. Over the past few years, ‘national studies’ (guoxue) focusing on Confucianism and traditional culture is popular among officials, scholars, students and the public at large in China. Overseas, hundreds of Confucius Institutes have appeared around the world. Confucius is also evoked to declare China’s view on peace, as the Confucius Peace Prize was created in 2010 as a response to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. The most symbolic official endorsement yet comes last month, when a Confucius statue was unveiled on Tiananmen Square, the political heart of China.
Political Confucianism as state ideology
The origin of this Political Confucianism might be traced to Jiang Qing, a leading scholar of mainland China New Confucianism. Jiang calls for a restoration of Confucianism as the state ideology, distinct from both Western-style democracy and Soviet-style communism. As Xujun Eberlein wrote in The China Beat in June 2008:
Democracy is Westernized and imperfect in nature, Jiang Qing points out. If applied to China, a western style democratic system would have only one legitimacy – popular will, or civil legitimacy. Such uni-legitimacy operates on the quantity of votes, regardless of the moral implications of decisions taken. Since human desire is selfish by nature, those decisions can be self serving for a particular majority's interest. Because of this, Jiang Qing argues, civil legitimacy alone is not sufficient to build or keep a constructive social order.
The uni-legitimacy criticism makes senses to me because western countries, which have evolved the concepts of sufferance, law, tolerance and community standards over hundreds of years, have a broad base for governance. China, on the other hand, does not have this same evolution. Western democracy simply dropped onto China is likely to face pitfalls parallel to those seen in Iraq. The foundation of majority rule alone is not sufficient to provide good governance.
In contrast, the Confucian state Jiang proposes is tri-legitimate: it carries numinous, historical, and civil legitimacy simultaneously. In particular, the governmental body consists of three mutually constraining institutions that represent religion (members chosen through community recommendation and Confucian examination), cultural tradition (members based on sovereign and sage lineage and by appointment), and popular will (members elected), respectively. Jiang Qing believes that such a structure would avoid many of the mistakes that appear inevitable under a uni-legitimate system.
In 2009, Prof. Wang Rui-Chang of the Capital University of Business and Economics further summarized the rise of Political Confucianism as follows:
Political Confucianism is a newly emerged school of thought addressing political and social reform in Mainland China. It challenges the current prevalent democratic movement, both inside and outside of China, which proposes governance with legitimacy wholly resting on the ballot. Instead, Political Confucianism advocates the wisdom of “centrality and harmony” contained in Confucianism, especially the Confucian tradition of Gongyang School that flourished in the Han and late Qing dynasties in China. It is aimed at revitalizing Confucianism and reconstructing the politics of the Kingly Way in the modern global context.
The symbolic erection of the Confucian statue in Tiananmen has renewed the debate about Political Confucianism in China. As Cheng Li, Chinese politics expert at the Brookings Institution, comments, Confucianism ‘is such a big basket you can select whatever you want. They will ask people to behave appropriately, not too aggressive, not use violence and don't pursue revolution.’ Several writers and bloggers view it through a Machiavellian lens, arguing that it is a tactic adopted by the ruling Communist Party as a solution to the various social problems in China, while maintaining its political dominance. Human rights activist Guo Baosheng recently wrote in China in Perspective:
政治儒学对中国当代的诸种政治问题给出来自己的答案，那就是在宗教领域以儒教为国家宗教，在意识形态上以政治儒学来修正和美化马克思主义，在制度层次以王道政治、等级政治来粉饰和修补中共专制、抵御民主宪政、自由平等（“政治儒学认为中国今后政治发展的方向是王道而不是民主，而王道就是所谓‘圣贤政治’”—-蒋庆语），在道德伦理上以儒家人伦挽救世道人心的堕落败坏、在文化上以儒家文化取得本土对西化的胜利、在外交上以儒家文化消除世界对共产主义的恐惧并在全球领域实现政治儒学的渗透和扩张。
Political Confucianism provides the answer to various political problems in China. It can act as the state religion, modify and beautify Marxism, invoke the hierarchical politics of the Kingly Way to whitewash authoritarianism, and act as a defense to constitutional democracy, freedom and equality (‘Under Political Confucianism, China’s future development is the Kingly Way and not democracy, and the Kingly Way means the “politics of sages”’ – Jiang Qing), promote ethics and social responsibility to save China from a moral crisis, defend local culture against Westernization, alleviate the world’s fear of a rising Communist China, and act as a culture for global penetration and expansion.
As to how Confucianism is applied in China’s conduct of foreign policy, writer Zhu Jiangguo provides us with a recent example from last month. Writing in Hong Kong’s Cheng Ming Magazine, he links the unveiling of the Confucius statue in Tiananmen with Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit to the US one week later:
一方面，它是胡錦濤刻意向美國示弱，可以說，胡打著向孔子投降的白旗訪美，意在安慰美國不必擔心中共繼續堅持馬列主義──儘管中共對內口頭上仍然聲稱堅持馬列主義，不過是「減兵增灶」的虛晃，其在國際上早已緊緊高舉儒旗：在九十個國家辦了三百二十家孔子學院，卻從未在海外辦一個馬列毛鄧學院或黨校！此次更以「孔子入主天安門」讓美國人放心：今日中共正式改「馬教」為儒教，棄共產主義而圖民族主義，充其量也不過一「儒家社會主義」。另一方面，「孔子晉京」又委婉表達了中共堅決拒絕「全盤西化」的決心，中共可以放棄馬列，但決不終止「普天之下莫非王土」，「師夷長技以制夷」，「中學為體，西學為用」的儒家傳統。
On one hand, it is a show of weakness to the US by Hu Jintao. Hu wants to reassure the US that Marxism-Leninism doesn’t need to be afraid of – although the Chinese Communist Party still internally upholds Marxism-Leninism, it is just an illusion. Globally China is holding the flag of Confucianism. 320 Confucius Institutes are opened in over 90 countries, but never a Marxism-Leninism-Mao-Deng school! The act of ‘Confucius stationing in Tiananmen’ will further reassure the US – today China officially switches from Marxism-Leninism to Confucianism. At most, China is a ‘Confucius socialist society’. But on the other hand, it represents a rejection of ‘wholesale Westernization’. Marxism-Leninism is what can be abandoned, but not Confucius traditions such as ‘all land under heaven belongs to the emperor’, ‘learning advanced technology from barbarians to fight agasint them’, and ‘Chinese learning for the substantial, western learning for the useful’.
Mao and Confucius side by side: irony or harmony?
In the middle of Tiananmen Square sits a mausoleum holding the body of the revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. Now that Confucius is placed side by side with Mao, many see the irony – under Mao’s revolutionary campaigns, much of China’s traditional culture, symbolized by Confucius, was destroyed. But others view it as evidence of the progressiveness of the Chinese government, which is ‘saying goodbye to revolutions’. Blogger Sima Huangyuan wrote:
作為中國革命的倡導者，毛澤東對孔夫子的反感是眾人皆知的事情，毛澤東甚至斷言，如果共產黨哪一天請孔夫子「回來」，那就表明共產黨統治不下去了。毛澤東的這番感言，是對中國歷史，尤其是儒家高度政治化歷史的概括，因為歷代統治者，都喜歡抬出孔夫子，來維護千瘡百孔的政治統治。如今，北京當局高調推出孔子，是否會應驗毛澤東的預言，恐怕沒有幾個人會去當真，但是，有一點是肯定的，中南海並沒有將毛澤東和孔夫子視為「不能兩立」的政治符號以及文化符號，而是可以在天安門廣場並立不悖，遙相呼應，彼此互補的形象，這種多元共存的現象，顯示著當政者正在進行「告別革命」的歷史進程，彰顯出「與時俱進」的寬容。
As China’s revolutionary leader, Mao Zedong’s antagonism against Confucius is well known. Mao even said that if the Communist Party one day invites Confucius back, it means that the party cannot rule any longer. This is Mao’s generalization of the highly politicized history of Confucianism. This is because ancient rulers in China liked to use Confucius as a defense for their bad governance. Today, no one will take Mao’s generalization seriously. But one thing is certain; it is that the Chinese government does not view Mao Zedong and Confucius as conflicting political and cultural symbols, but complementary and echoing with each other. This pluralism shows that rulers of China are in the process of ‘saying goodbye to revolutions’, and are progressing with time.
Some go even further to say that placing Confucius side by side with Mao is the very application of and an important development to Mao Zedong’s revolutionary thoughts. One blogger wrote:
人们还议论：马克思、恩格斯、列宁和斯大林的巨幅画像没有了，如今来了个孔夫子，我们伟大领袖毛主席怎么看？当年“批林批孔”可是我们“毛老头”倡导的呀。我觉得这没有什么大惊小怪的，你看人家不少外国人在他们的国家里不都成立了孔子学校吗？说明孔子“理论”逐渐被世界所认可，那是咱国家的骄傲和荣耀。
People are debating: Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin have all left. Here comes Confucius. How will our great Chairman Mao think? Don’t forget that the ‘Criticize Lin Biao and Confucius’ campaign was led by him. But I think that we don’t need to be surprised by it. Don’t you see that Confucius Institutes are opened in many countries? This shows that Confucianism is widely accepted, which is our country’s honor.
当年我们嘴边不是经常挂着一句“打到美帝国主义，打到日本复活军国主义”的口号吗，在毛主席他老人家提倡下，后来不是也与他们建交了吗。咱们要学习他们先进的科学技术，来强国强民壮大自己。所以我们要“用发展的眼光看待发展的中毛泽东思想”，这才是辩证唯物主义，这才是继承和发展马列主义毛泽东思想。
In the past, we shouted ‘Down with American imperialism! Down with the revival of Japanese militarism!’ Under Mao’s leadership, didn’t we build diplomatic relationships with the US and Japan? We need to learn from their advanced technologies to strengthen our nation. Therefore, we need to ‘adopt a developmentalist angle to view the still-developing Mao Zedong’s thoughts.’ This is the essence of dialectical materialism, and the way to inherit and develop Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought.

author: Andy Yee


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Colombia: Car-Free Day in Bogotá · Global Voices
Cati Restrepo

Car-Free Day Bogotá 2010. Photo by Carlos Felipe Pardo, Flickr carlosfpardo, used under a CC BY 2.0 license
On February 3, the city of Bogotá held a Car-Free Day –a day when restrictions are placed on the circulation of private vehicles. The day is designed as a strategy to raise environmental awareness and improve, for one day, vehicular traffic in cities worldwide.
Sysmaya shared [es] information from the radio station RadioSantafe [es] with its readers:
Un balance positivo del día sin carro ó del día del aire limpio entregó el alcalde Mayor de Bogotá, Samuel Moreno Rojas, quien reportó una sustancial reducción de la contaminación ambiental con la salida de circulación de 1 millón 430 mil vehículos particulares.
En  los trece puntos de control a las emisiones de las fuentes fijas,  revisaron un total de 526 vehículos de los cuales 551 no pasaron las  pruebas atmosféricas y 80 automotores fueron inmovilizados.
A positive review of the car-free day or clean air day was presented by the Mayor of Bogota, Samuel Moreno Rojas, who reported a substantial reduction of air pollution from the absense of 1 million 430 thousand vehicles from circulation.
In the thirteen emission control points, a total of 526 vehicles were reviewed, of which 551 failed the atmospheric tests and 80 vehicles were immobilized.
On Twitter, the hashtag #Diasincarro (car-free day) documented opinions on the different situations that arose during the day. The reduction of carbon monoxide levels was highlighted as one of the positive outcomes of the day:
Mejor en bici (better in a bike) (@mejorenbici) reported:
44 por ciento bajó el monóxido de carbono en el #diasincarro Muchas gracias BOGOTA y feliz fin de semana.
Carito Camargo (@Caritoesoterica) wrote about how peaceful it was to move around the city:
Excelente este #diasincarro nada mejor que desplazarse por la ciudad con tranquilidad….ademas llegue por fin a las 6 a la U bien bien
Lina Gutiérrez (@ChefGuty) noticed a decrease in noise levels:
Mi #diasincarro paso sin pena ni gloria….no sentí la diferencia del trancón pero si en el ruido me hizo feliz el silencio.
Car-Free Day Bogotá 2010. Photo by Carlos Felipe Pardo, Flickr carlosfpardo, used under a CC BY 2.0 license
For some, like Robert Salazar (@SoySalazarR), there were no major differences and even reported traffic congestion:
la 10 con el #diasincarro es peor!! no crei que fuera a poder decir esto algun dia. La decima puede empeorar
Lina Hurtado (@linhure) tweeted about the difficulties in using public transportation and in getting from one place to another:
Esto sonará anticívico de nuevo, pero me molesta ver que son las 10:30pm y mucha gente aun no puede llegar a casa por culpa del #Diasincarro
Felipe Gutiérrez (@PiPe_DaRk) and Alfonso Penagos  (@AlfonsoPenagos) think there was no major environmental impact with the measure. In that order, they wrote:
creo que el #diasincarro funciona mas para los taxistas que para el medio ambiente…seguimos respirando humo.
Bueno creo que el balance del #díasincarro es un completo fracaso… ni siquiera el medio ambiente se vio favorecido.
I think that the #carfreeday is better for cab drivers than for the environment…we are still breathing smog
Well I think that the outcome of the #carfreeday is a complete failure… not even the environment was favored
However, others think the car-free day should be implemented in other places and with greater frequency. Christina Méndez (@ImChrizM), for example, said:
El #diasincarro fue lo máximo, debería ser con más frecuencia.
David Olaya (@DavidOlaya) added:
Debería haber mas de un #diasincarro al año, no solo en #Bogota sino en otras ciudades.
With a similar view, Yenny Moreno (@chela_moreno) wrote:
#diasincarro una de las mejores formas para cuidar el planeta, lastima que no sea tan frecuente.
Finally, Sebastián Movilla (@sebasmovilla) shares his satisfaction with the day's results linking to the Colombian newspaper El tiempo, which wrote the headline: “Speed increased and pollution decreased in the car-free day,” where it reviews what happened during the day:
Muy satisfactorios los resultados de este #diasincarro en #Bogota, deberia hacerse muchas veces mas al año http://bit.ly/eIQG0w #mejorenbici
You can read more about this initiative in a previous post published by Global Voices when this same day was held in the city of Medellín.

author: Cati Restrepo


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Comparing China and Egypt · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Johan Lagerkvist from China Roader compares the socio-political structure between China and Egypt.


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Egypt: Citizen Media Exposes Violence During Media Black Out (Graphic) · Global Voices
Hisham Almiraat

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Warning: the videos listed bellow contain images that are graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised.
On February the 2nd, the Egyptian authorities decided to restore the Internet after five days of a near-complete shut down of the service. During that period, which is believed to have cost the country tens of millions of dollars, the government clamped down on journalists and international media, heavily disrupting cell phone communications and satellite broadcasting. During the ban, activists succeeded in circumventing censorship and filtered out hours of videos, filling the gap created by the media black out.
The content of some of these videos has not been independently verified but they capture the violence that was occurring on the sidelines of the “revolution,” away from the peaceful scenes of ordinary traffic in downtown Cairo and empty streets that the State TV has been broadcasting during the period of the ban.
The first videos to filter out of Cairo showed a fierce battle over the Kasr Al Nile Bridge that occurred on the first day of the ban. A sinister pattern already emerges: the sheer violence with which the regime of Hosni Mubarak is willing to confront pro-democracy protesters including running over unarmed demonstrators with anti riot police vans. This video compilation posted by Storyful covers the scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7d8HGDEGpU
In this video posted by BlackDeadex, a protester is run over by a fire truck, amid total confusion, as demonstrators were throwing stones at the police:
This video posted by Omar Rashid shows a similar incident when, amid chaos, a driver (allegedly aboard a diplomatic car) is caught in panic and drives into the crowd:
In this video, a clearly recognizable Egyptian police van runs into a crowd of peaceful marchers (posted by engai):
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Hisham Almiraat


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Egypt: Is Amr Moussa an Acceptable Alternative to Mubarak?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Amr Moussa's interest in becoming Egypt's next President has drawn a range of reactions, as Egyptians continue to call upon Hosni Mubarak to resign for the 12th day in a row.
Yesterday, Moussa, a former Mubarak loyalist and secretary-general of the Cairo-based Arab League, paid a visit to the protesters at Tahrir Square, in a show of solidarity.
While some welcomed him with open arms, others wondered why should someone who has worked so closely with the regime be accepted as an alternative to Mubarak.
Following are some of the reactions from Twitter:
@bbcbreaking: Secretary General of Arab League Amr Moussa attending protest in Cairo's Tahrir Square
@3arabawy: Why do people think Amr Moussa is a respectable figure that we can negotiate with? He's NOT! He's always been loyal to the regime. #Jan25
@hibaalali: Neutral figure 2 bridge gap between #Egypt & US/Israel contrasting demands needed. ElBaradei or Amr Moussa w/latter more acceptable #Jan25
@BassieAhmad: #Amr #Moussa would be a great President of #Egypt. God bless Amr Moussa #JAN25
@SuadHani: <3 that Amr Moussa is taking on a role, <3 the people who made change possible, <3 Egyptians, <3 the Revolution! #jan25
@imunroe: Amr Moussa as the next #Egypt leader makes perfect sense — replacing one inert leader with the head of equally immobile Arab League
@: Amr Moussa is in #tahrir square now, he's already trending on twitter #egypt
@breezeblessings: Amr Moussa has a very strong record with great impact and amazing work… Wait, what? #StrongSarcasm #Fail
@kareemelmasry: It will take Amr Moussa more than fiery words and cliches to lead a great nation like #egypt. Like @alhattlan said: stay home. #jan25
@Falasteeni: Western media keep saying Amr Moussa is very popular amongst Egyptians…I doubt it..am I wrong? #jan25
@AymanHAK: Am warming up to the Amr Moussa option for Egypt- A Pragmatist & nationalist who commands the respect of his people& is tested as politician
@NasseRibnHamad: @hussain_info @khalidalkhalifa @Zeinobia Amr Moussa is a late comer,an opportunist.Where was he just few weeks or few days ago ? #Jan25
@etharkamal: Everyone is an opportunist, seeing how they can capitalise on what's happening in Egypt. *cough* @ElBaradei *cough* Amr Moussa #egypt #jan25
@sarahasseel: Democratic Elections: Ppl voting for Amr Moussa, others for Baradei, or Ayman N., or whoever else comes up! never a 99% for anyone anymore!
@SarraMoneir: So now the question is: if we want non-military president so amr moussa? baradei? is that a wise comparison?
@srichani: what was Amr Moussa doing in Tahrir midan today?was reminded of that fish which attaches itself to a shark.like a parasite.#jan25 #egypt
@De7mee_: The future of Egypt lies within its youth not the 70yr-old politicians (amr moussa & Elbarradie) #egypt #jan25 #tahrir
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Egypt: Mubarak has changed his Facebook status to “it’s complicated” · Global Voices
Carmel L. Vaisman

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
To answer Malcolm Gladwell's doubtful question if Egypt needs Twitter, it seems ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) played a big role in the #jan25 revolution in Egypt. Since the initial demonstrations were organized by young activists through Facebook, Egyptians refer to this young generation as “the Facebook youth”. In this picture tweeted yesterday, this man thanks Egypt's Facebook youth for starting this uprising:
Tweeps report that protesters in Tahrir are well aware of the power of Facebook and Twitter and carry signs with the names of those sites.
It was also reported that Cairo is covered with graffiti of Facebook and Twitter. Some of those pictures were published in the Washington Post yesterday.
Mike Nizza reports of a protester that walked up to a journalist in Cairo with an important concern, trying to find out if Egypt is trending on Twitter.
Egyptian and other Middle East activists have also used the language of social media as means of humor to describe the events as they unfolded. The most noted and retweeted remarks were:
I just ousted Mubarak as the Mayor of Egypt on Foursquare!
BREAKING: Hilary Clinton ‘unfriends’ Hosni Mubarak on Facebook.
Mubarak to change his Facebook relationship status with Egypt to
“it's complicated”
Mubarak is retweeting Ben Ali, remember he wanted to stay till 2013?
Someone even wondered if there are any anti-Mubarak apps available for iPhone.
In addition, at least three new fake Twitter accounts of Hosni Mubarak appeared this week: @TheReal_Mubarak @HosniMobarak @NotHosniMubarak and also a Gamal Mubarak fake – @GMubarak
These fakes kept the moral high in the #jan25 Twitter stream,  even in the darkest hours of the clashes on Wednesday and Thursday with tweets like:
#breakupexcuses Nope, can't think of any. I want to stay with #Egypt for the rest of my life.
For sale: One government. Never used, but probably doesn't work.
I need some help with damage control, @SarahPalinUSA  How did you handle ruining politics in the USA?
Reports pro #Mubarak protesters are paid by the government are untrue. Also can anyone lend me money? I owe some cash to some people
Fake Gamal Mubarak has also created an Obama poster for his dad:
Curiously enough, Muabark's older fake account @presidenthosni did not participate in #jan25 events.
Finally, if you wondered how Egyptian bloggers and tweeps keep updating from the square without needing to charge their phone batteries, this picture was tweeted yesterday, showing improvised recharging of phones in Tahrir square:
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Carmel L. Vaisman


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Egypt: Did Mubarak Resign as Head of the Ruling NDP? · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
News just came that Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak has resigned his post as head of the ruling National Democratic Party. This comes on the 12th day of massive demonstrations across Egypt, calling for his resignation as President.
UPDATE:
There seems to be conflicting reports now that Mubarak has in fact resigned from his post as president of the NDP.
Here are fresh reactions to the news, with making poking fun at the situation:
@hadeelalsh: State TV says that Hosni Mubarak REMAINS head of NDP #egypt #jan25
@draddee: So it seems that Mubarak resignation as head of NDP, let alone his membership of the NDP, is NOT confirmed. #jan25
@gr33ndata quips [Ar]:
@abeerallamFT: Dinosaurs of z ruling NDP r more or less the same since x president Nasser's 1960s Socialist Union. #egypt #jan25
@Elizrael: LOL RT @3arabawy: :D RT: @nmoawad: loool RT: @jamalghosn: Will Mubarak lead the opposition against the NDP? #jan25
@nmoawad: #Mubarak resigns from the committee to plan a surprise birthday party for Adel Imam. #Jan25
@UnitedArabs: Humpty Hosni Dumpty thinks he can still put the pieces together again? time to go while the going is good
Here are the first reactions on Twitter when the news was announced:
@AJEnglish: Egyptian TV reports that Hosni #Mubarak resigns as head of the ruling NDP party. Live coverage here: http://aje.me/ajelive #Egypt #Jan25
@djevojcica87: What does Mubarak think he's doing now? Pulling out every trick in the book. #Egypt #Mubarak
@sammiqaid: Ezz&Adly under arrest, Mubarak, Gamal, Safwat ElSherif all resigned from the leadership of the NDP. And the beat goes on
@JawazSafar: Unconfirmed news about a Military base in a country close to egypt is preparing for Mubarak & his family [by @Almatrafi via @Essamz] #Jan25
@Gr33ndata tweets (Ar):
@NadiaE: Now that #Mubarak is no longer head of the NDP, is his presidency legitimate according to the constitution? #jan25
@TheSufiWarrior: Call for #Hosni and #Gamal #Mubarak's assets to be frozen, the billions are stolen from the people. Don't let him get away. #Egypt #Jan25
@MahaRafiAtal: Does anyone have the wording of the Mubarak statement? The details–resigning ‘as head of ruling party’ are perplexing.
@yshehab: #mubarak resigns as head of #egypt ruling national democratic party. as relevant as giving up his club membership
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Tahrir Square Calm Once Again · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
After violence from pro-Mubarak forces on February 2 and 3, the atmosphere in Tahrir Square calmed once again on February 4, a day referred to by protesters as the “Day of Departure.”  Though Mubarak did not in fact step down on Friday, Twitter users in Cairo reveled in the regained feeling of positivity in the Square.
@BloggerSeif noted that:
Tahrir feels much safer than yesterday, and definitely safer than the day before #jan25
@NadiaE also reported on the feeling of safety:
In tahrir. Peaceful walk along corniche. Barbed wire blocks entrance. Very long lines to get in. Stringent searches and IDcheck #egypt
@ElFoulio reported:
Ok I'm finally in #Tahrir square, a lot of ppl for this time of day with thousands queuing outside, positive vibes all arnd
Al Jazeera's @AymanM acknowledged the change too:
Festive and Celebratory atmosphere that marked the days of the protest b4 Pro-mubarak peeps attacked is back in #tahrir #feb4 #jan25
@NadiaE noted that journalists had returned to the square, despite a ban:
I can see some foreign journos with video cams. So glad they made it in and r safe #egypt
Writer @ianinegypt noted that journalists felt welcome in Tahrir Square:
Tahrir Square is like a “green zone” for journalists. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. #egypt #jan25
He also noted:
A stream of people continue to enter Tahrir. Reports that groups are still looking for foreign journalists. #jan25 #egypt
@Dima_Khatib, reporting from afar, noted that journalists were still at risk:
Oh forgot to say: They banned coverage of Tahrir Square.. cameras out ! And Al Jazeera Arabic still banned altogether. No reporters #jan25
Journalist Lara Setrakian tweeted from the Square:
Helicopters flying VERY low over Tahrir Square. Chants of ‘Mubarak go, Saudi Arabia is waiting for you.’ Some swap that with Tel Aviv #Jan25
She added:
New chant in Tahrir Square: ‘change, strength, nationalism, and justice.’ #Cairo #Egypt #Jan25
Observer @asteris watched the demonstrations from afar in Greece, sharing the above image:
“Day of Departure”: @AJEnglish live from Tahrir Sq, Cairo #Egypt http://twitpic.com/3wbxve
Another Greek Twitter user, @elentelon, shared his wish for Egypt:
Σήμερα είναι η μέρα που θα πέσει ο Μουμπάρακ! #Egypt #Wish
In an homage to Egyptian bloggers, @justimage praised activist and Twitter user Mona Seif:
Follow @monasosh, w/out the steadfastness of Egyptian activists/bloggers like her over the years today would not be possible #Egypt #jan25
And for her part, @monasosh shared her thoughts too:
Entrance 2 square is safe. Ppl r chanting,dreaming of a safe country 4 all of us. Come & join us win our country back #Jan25


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Egypt: The January 25 Blacklist · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

On Facebook, a wall of shame is being compiled, under the title January 25 Blacklist (Ar), with the names of politicians, media personalities and celebrities who have spoken out against the protesters calling for an end of the Mubarak regime.


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Global: Thoughts on interfaith harmony and world peace · Global Voices
Paula Góes

After a New Year’s day bombing in Egypt that killed 21 people outside a Christian church, solidarity and  interfaith support blossomed in the country. Thousands of Muslims took a  bold step to prevent a repeat bombing at Coptic Christmas Eve services a few days later, volunteering to serve as human shields to deter potential bombers. Among those showing solidarity was Ibn Abdel Aziz [ar]. Feeling an urge to cry, the Egyptian blogger writes an open letter to his Christian friends, colleagues and neighbors:
اعاهد الله اليوم وانا علي مشارف ان ارزق باول طفل لي في حياتي ان اقوم  بما يمكن ان التزم به … ان اعلمه كل ما اعرف وان يكون افضل مني ومن امه  ومن اجداده وجداته علي كل مستوى ممكن ، وان هذا هو الذي استطيع ان افعله  واسأل الله ان اموت وقد تركت خلفي ذرية تعرف الله كما اراد الله وتامر  بالعدل وتطبقه علي نفسها اولا وتكره الظلم وتنقد الذات وتصلح النفس وتبني  الارض وتحارب الكراهية والوصم والتمييز وسائر ادواء البشر ما استطعت .
وكفرد من الاغلبية العددية ..اعرف مسئوليتي جيدا تجاه الاخرين من اقليات  عددية بسبب الدين او المذهب او العرق ..وليت كل المسلمين يعرفون هذا
في النهاية
كلماتي عاجزة عن وصف ما اشعر به
هذه خواطري المبعثرة
وهذا بوح نفسي المثقلة
وهذا انا ..كما أنا
اسمحوا لي ان اقف في صفوفكم وان اخذ العزاء معكم .
وأن يقال لي : ربنا يعزيك
News of tolerance between people of different faiths like the one  above does not usually find its way to the headlines. The forces of  religious intolerance are more prominently featured in the media, and at  times like this, it can be difficult to hear voices preaching the  universal values of respect and mutual understanding. To give those  working for interfaith understanding and dialogue a chance to spread the  message, the United Nations has designated the first week of February  every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs. From 2011, all States worldwide were asked to:
“support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message  of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques,  synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week based  on Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good  and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious  traditions or convictions.”
Photo by flickr user choconancy. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Why  are interfaith dialogue – meaning cooperation between religions and  between religion and science – and interfaith harmony – meaning the  absence of hatred among people of different faiths – so important?  Because everyone wants to live in peace.
From Mexico City, Marvin Lance Wiser shares his own experiences and explains why interfaith dialogue is a critical component for the maintaining of civic and international stability:
One’s faith traditions should not be asked to be  separated from a person as they enter the civic arena. We must no longer  claim ignorance towards the religious other, and we must no longer  continue in a practice of monopoly of truths, hegemony of God, and  assimilation of those that fall into our periphery. Interfaith dialogue  does not exist for the sake of proselytizing others to one religion or  one culture, nor does it exist to create a melting pot of syncretism  where all religious identities are conflated into one. Not all religions  are the same, there exist a myriad of differences, however there is  dignity in difference, and this is a central tenet of the Interfaith  movement.  Interfaith dialogue is an exercise of learning about those  that are radically different from myself and my community and learning  how to coexist with those persons that subscribe to different beliefs,  customs, and worldviews other than my own. It also serves to strengthen  my own faith identity.
If it is not possible to deny that there are theological differences  between so many religions, the challenge for people of faith living in  diverse and plural societies is to acknowledge these differences without  loosing respect and friendship for one another – and reach across the  divide to work together for common goals, such as compassion, justice  and peace. Interfaith peacemaker T C Davis realises that in fact faith is about more than religion:
One morning at 2:30 a.m. I awoke and couldn’t fall back  asleep.  What is this thing called faith, I wondered, which enlivens  people from many religious traditions, but also, some people who are not  religious?  Here’s what came to me:
Faith is an optimistic energy that impels one to make the world a  better place.  This optimistic energy is not based upon a careful  calculation of favorable outcomes, but rather, upon the unshakable  conviction that love is stronger than hate, and that one can accomplish  much, indeed much more than one can foresee, provided one spends one’s  life loving.
Here is a definition of faith, I think, that will bear all freight,  and will serve better to understand what “interfaith” means, rather than  seeing it as a synonym for “interreligious.”
Photo by flickr user choconancy. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Religion; it advocates compassion and love. At the same time, interpretations of  religious concepts are used to legitimate violence and war. Of the  hundreds of existing religious traditions, every single one prays for  fraternity and peace. Yet, many conflicts and wars throughout history  have had, in some capacity, connections to religion. All religions claim  to hold the truth and to have exclusivity to the path to salvation, but  Portuguese blogger André explains that it all comes down to human interpretations of sacred scriptures. Taking the Bible as an example, he says [pt]:
Interpretam a Bíblia crentes e não crentes,  investigadores profissionais e outros estudiosos. Quem estuda,  forçosamente interpreta, à luz dos seus conhecimentos. Quem tem mais  conhecimentos e os sabe relacionar, interpretará necessariamente melhor.  Quem só estuda Bíblia e não colige com outras fontes de Conhecimento,  forçosamente fica com menos pontos de referência e tem uma visão mais  simplificada. O que é lamentável é que ainda haja guerras por causa da  Bíblia, agora que o tempo das Cruzadas vai longe. Afinal, a mensagem  central da Bíblia é o amor e a tolerância.
Interpretations apart, one thing that can be held to be true is that  sincere faith cannot be prescribed, much less imposed – it needs to  come from within. Despite differences, Malaysian historian Abu Saif  believes that it is possible to co-exist pacifically – as long as  everyone understands that there is no need to prove whose religion is  better – as the intention of religion is for one to find what is good for oneself in this temporary life:
Me myself, I learn about Muhammad and his religion for me  to clarify my own purpose of life, why God created me, why I am here,  where am I heading to after this worldly transit? I found my answer best  through the teaching of Muhammad. I learn about religion to answer my  own Questions, and not to question others!
So, if the sender [of the email that inspired the post] believe[s] that  his idea about Christianity gave him satisfaction in finding the  absolute truth, then let him be with his Christianity. Islam stands with  its own strength and Christianity should be confident with what it has.
[…]
I found peace and had full of tranquility by believing and loving  both Jesus and Muhammad and I cannot do anything to help someone who  find peace in hating any of these great men.
God knows the best.
Talking about God, since all religions worship the same power that  created the universe, some believe that they all worship the same entity  under many sacred or holy names. US writer Trinda Latherow lists a few  of them – God, Lord, Jesus, Father in Heaven, Allah, Lord Brahma  Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh, Elohim, El Shaddai – and elaborates:
Photo by flickr user choconancy. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
With so many understandings as to our being and what God  is to us, it is  no wonder we have so many names for God. Even in my own  limited travels  and acquaintances thus far, I have come to know not  only of the many  theories and beliefs as to what God is, but also the  many names by which  man calls God. They include such sacred and holy  names as God the  Creator, the One or One of all, the Source of all,  the Collective  Consciousness, the Highest or Most High, Highest Self,  Divine Mind,  Great Spirit, Holy Spirit, Spirit, Universal Christ, All  that Is, the  Universe, the I Am, and my favorite and the one Akiane Kramarik understands her Father in Heaven to be as quite simply Love.   Explaining at the young age of just thirteen that everyone’s name and   perception of God is different and that is what so often separates us.   Yet, if we understand that God is love, and we know what love is, then   perhaps our differences will yield way to the universal truth that we   are indeed all One. For what lies within you and within me is part of   all creation itself, no matter the name we use.
Change yourself, change the universe
Forget the politics of religion – the solution for a peaceful world may be simple and attainable.  From Brazil, Cirilo Moraes reminds us [pt] that dialogue, respect, tolerance and mutual understanding among  peoples start within ourselves in our daily lives, and that each one of  us can be an instrument of peace:
E assim é: mude interiormente e tudo ao redor mudará  também. É a antiga noção de que o semelhante atrai o semelhante. Não tem  segredo nenhum. Uma ação leva a uma reação; uma causa, a uma  conseqüência. Violência gera violência, e dissemina ódio e  ressentimentos; paz gera paz; amor gera amor. A questão é o que você  escolhe disseminar. […]
Você está sendo tolerante e paciente com seus irmãos, pais, amigos,  colegas de trabalho, seus conhecidos e inclusive com os que não conhece?  Busca apaziguar os conflitos ou ajuda a inflamá-los? Você respeita as  diferenças que os outros têm em relação a você ou quer impor as suas  verdades e conceitos pré-concebidos a qualquer custo? São perguntas  simples que você deve fazer a si mesmo, e não aos outros. Se cada um  mudar a si, o mundo inteiro será diferente. Não adianta pedir paz aos  outros, mas não agir de acordo com ela em todos os momentos de sua vida.
Ademais, lembre-se sempre: a paz do mundo começa em ti, em mim, em nós…
It goes like this: change yourself within and everything around you  will change too. This is the the old notion that like attracts like.  There are no secrets. One action leads to a reaction; a cause leads to a  consequence. Violence begets violence, spreads hatred and resentment;  peace creates peace, love begets love. The point is what you choose to  disseminate. […]
Are you being tolerant and patient with your siblings, parents,  friends, co-workers, acquaintances and even those who you don't know? Do  you try to appease conflicts or do you help to inflame them? Do you  respect other people's differences or do you want to impose your truths  and preconceptions on them at all costs? These are simple questions that  you should ask yourself, not others. If each one of us change within,  the whole world will be different. No use asking peace to others, if you  don't act on it at all times of your life.
Also, always remember: the peace of the world begins in you, me, us…
Photo by flickr user choconancy. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Check the Seeds of Compassion photo set, by flickr user Choconancy1 whose photos illustrate this post.

author: Paula Góes


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Kazakhstan: Referendum Cancelled, Elections Announced · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Shortly after Kazakhstan concluded its chairmanship in the OSCE, the Europe's most renowned human rights and security organization, and held the organization's summit, praised by many as a groundbreaking event (although no serious decisions were made there), the situation within the country has got a very unexpected turn.
A group of citizens initiated a drive for signatures in support of a referendum to extend the incumbent president's authority until 2020 without elections. A move was widely believed to be orchestrated from presidential administration. The initiative was actively backed by the ruling party and local administrations, so it was not surprising that more than 5 million signatures were collected in less than three weeks of the New Year & Christmas holidays, while only 200,000 signatures is normally enough to register a referendum (Kazakhstan's population is just around 15 million).
The idea of replacing presidential elections, which were constitutionally expected next year, met harsh and open criticism from the West. On Jan 4, the U.S. State Department condemned Kazakhstan's move to extend the rule of veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is already enjoying many privileges that include the status of Leader of the Nation, lifetime immunity from prosecution for him and his family members, the exceptional right to run for presidency as many times as he may wish etc. Critique came also from the EU and the OSCE.
KZBlog comments:
Interestingly while commentators in Kazakhstan dismissed criticism from the US, saying that the US itself was hypocritical in its own democracy or unfairly imposing its will on other countries, it will be hard for the Kazakhstan government to criticize the OSCE without tarnishing its own leadership in the OSCE.
On April 7, Nazarbayev played back and vetoed the parliament's decision to hold a referendum, but one week later the MPs overcame the presidential veto. Another portion of criticism against such a blatantly staged scenario arrived again from the international community, and the president requested the Constitutional Council to make a decision on legality of the proposed referendum. Pretty surprisingly for many, the Council's ruling was against the referendum. The decision was announced soon after the country's foreign minister got back from his trip to Washington, D.C. – as one can assume, bearing serious reproaches in his luggage. Finally, president Nazarbayev announced his decision to hold early presidential elections one year ahead of schedule, and set the date for April 3, leaving just two months for candidate registration and campaign.
KZBlog also points out an interesting twist in the referendum story:
The Central Election Committee issued an order that all signatures will be destroyed […]. What makes it so interesting is that this resolution was issued on the 13th of January, and the initiative group handed in the signatures on the 14th. Many critics of the referendum to extend Nazarbayev’s term until 2020, which would annul elections in 2012 and 2017, believe that the signatures are being destroyed in order to prevent any investigations into irregularities.
Tynyk is sad about seemingly genuine popular support for the referendum:
Our nation has come to believe that its bright future is entirely and directly dependent on the head of state. All of the country’s accomplishments are, in one way or another, tied to his name. People believe that […] there is no one who could replace him. What will happen if the leader of the nation retires?
Bakhytzhan2010 was trying  [ru] to stage a counter-drive for signatures, collecting the votes of protesters against the referendum. Those were rare – primarily due to traditionally very low level of citizen activeness and civil awareness in Kazakhstan, rather than due to sincere devotion to the incumbent. Meanwhile, seinlev writes about the technology of collecting signatures in support of referendum [ru]:
Every citizen must have a choice to sign or not to sign. In reality it's not like this. City hall summons heads of major enterprises, give them the signature collecting forms and tell how many signatures they must ensure. Then the heads call up general staff meetings and make every employee put his or her signature in a “semi-voluntary, semi-obligatory” way […] People just don't want to stand out, be a white crow, or face troubles at work.
TEVO is more pessimistic about the people's behavior [ru]:
Our people will sign everything, even a deal with the devil. The authorities are happy with the people like this. Nobody is protesting any more. People know who is the daddy. They know it's not right. But they will do it without saying a word […] They got used, got trained. They will sign it even without reading […] We are driven into the frames of fear or hypnosis, or universal apathy.
Slavasay, a human rights activist and political observer, sees a good side in this hysteria around referendum [ru]:
The whole situation around referendum presents a perfect opportunity to see who is who in the civil society. It gets clearer who is reliable and who can be purchased if slightly pressured. Thanks to the initiators for this brilliant idea.
In any case, now the elections are coming up. As adamkesher tweets [ru],
One of the main national traditions in Kazakhstan is holding early elections.


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Kyrgyzstan: Threat of radical islamists · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Rahat informs his readers that police is on a patrol in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital city, after the shootings between police and armed terrorists, who were identified by the officials as radical Islamic militants.


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Nepal: At Last a New Prime Minister · Global Voices
Rezwan

Pradeep Kumar Singh reports that Jhalanath Khanal becomes the 34th prime minister of Nepal after numerous election attempts since the resignation of  Madhav Kumar Nepal on June 30 last year.

author: Rezwan


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South Asia: A Visa Free Region? · Global Voices
Rezwan

Ekram Kabir at Kotha-Chhilo opines that the urgent task for the South Asian countries would be to promote peace-building through conflict resolution before the talk of making it a visa free region can begin.


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Sri Lanka: Colombo Fashion Week 2011 · Global Voices
Rezwan

Dee at Ranting in Colombo went to the day one event of the Colombo Fashion Week 2011 and shares some interesting pictures in her blog.


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Uzbekistan: Contemplating life after Karimov · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

In the wake of Uzbek president visit to Brussels, the European Union seemed impotent in the face of one of the world’s most brutal dictatorships, because the EU isn’t engaging Uzbekistan’s other players, argues neweurasia’s Schwartz.


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Azerbaijan: Political activist reported arrested · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

SEMIÇKA – OLUBDUR, OLUR, OLACAQ… reports that Jabbar Savalan, an opposition youth activist, has been arrested in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait. The blog quotes associates of Savalan as alleging that charges of drug possession are ‘completely ridiculous.’

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Colombia: Twitterathon for School Children · Global Voices
Julián Ortega Martínez

February is back-to-school season in most of Colombia, and some Twitter users (who helped organize a “Twitterathon” last December to help the victims of the rainy season) joined to gather school supplies for 730 children [es] who study at Fundación Hogar San Mauricio [es] in Bogotá and Institución Educativa Luis Carlos Galán, sede Altos del Pino [es] in neighbouring city Soacha. As of Saturday 5 February, 4,064 items were donated. Pictures of the event are available at their Facebook page.

author: Julián Ortega Martínez


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Egypt: Dreaming of a Better Tomorrow · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
As demonstrations in Egypt enter their twelfth day, some are becoming discouraged, but still others have kept high hopes for a positive outcome.  Global Voices author Eman AbdElRahman is among the latter; on her blog, she shares her feelings on the continuing revolt, all started by a favorite song:
On 21st of February 2010, and after watching an interview with Dr. ElBaradei on Dream2 TV station, I posted a video for the song “Dream with me” by Hamza Namira.. That day I dreamed to see my country free. Free from dictatorship, curroption, violance and humiliation. I believed the dream so much that I dedicated all my wishes only to see the day when Egypt becomes the one I loved before seeing..
Eman continues:
Today, I saw again the same song with other photos, from the revolution. Our revolution.. I was suddenly trembling and shivering. I never told anybody before that I am still in disbelief.. Despite living it minute by minute, and second by second for the past 12 days, I can’t believe what is happening. Sometimes I wake up and tell myself “I must have been dreaming”. But it is not a dream anymore..
I have so much to say. So much to write to behold the memory, but words stand so small in front of what I am experiencing now.
I just knew how deeply I love Egypt, more than I thought I really do..
The video, as well as her blog post, have caught on on Twitter, with others sharing their thoughts.
@msheshtawy, sharing the video, writes:
I dream of a better Tomorrow, Masr bokra a7la http://youtu.be/zHZbZm69PCE #egypt #jan25
@ishtarmuz shares the video as well, tweeting:
Watch ‘Dream With Me (Ehlam Ma'aya) – 25 Jan Revolution’ #JAN25 You get the message without speaking the language. http://bit.ly/gNGqBZ
Dreaming of a better future for Egypt has become a theme on social media; another video speaks of dreams of revolution:
On Twitter, @randa610 shares her own dream for Egypt:
My Dream Egypt: where no one will compromise my life for more power or money. #jan25 #hopeisintheair
Saying goodnight, @pakinamamer thanks the world's supporters of her country:
With all those beautiful friends and strangers supporting us & praying for our safety, I'm sure I'll sleep well. Goodnight <3 #Jan25 #Egypt


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Egypt: “I am writing for the sake of history” · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
The protests in Egypt continue, and have the attention of people not only in Egypt, but across the region and around the world. In this post we hear from a blogger who wants to remind anyone who might sympathise with President Mubarak just how things have reached this point.
Rehab Waliuddin is a translator in Cairo, and blogs at The Bird Looking From The Window. She has written a post called “I am writing for the sake of history”:
أكتب للتاريخ ليعلم أبناؤنا كم ضحى آباؤهم وأمهاتهم من أجلهم
أكتب للتاريخ كي ننصب يوم الثلاثاء عيدًا لشهداء ثورة 2011
أكتب للتاريخ لنتذكر خالد سعيد ومن سبقوه وتبعوه من شهداء للتعذيب أو للثورة
أكتب للتاريخ لنتذكر بو عزيزي فتيل الثورة التونسية التي كانت أول الغيث وبداية الأمل
Rehab goes on to say:
Revolution. Photo courtesy of Iman Mosaad under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.
She adds:
Rehab concludes:

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Egypt: My 73-year-old Father at Tahrir  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Egyptian Nadia El Awady last night tweeted that she needed a wheelchair to take her 73-year-old father to Tahrir today, where a Coptic mass is taking place as part of the Sunday of Martyrs.
True to her word, with father in hand, Nadia shares with us her day in a series of tweets, from the heart of down town Cairo, and the epicentre of massive protests calling upon Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to leave.
Nadia's father and other protesters take cover from the rain under the Egyptian flag
Let's to to Tahrir Square with Nadia and her father:
@Nadia E Off to Tahrir to attend Christian mass. My father – a 73-yr-old ill, bearded conservative Muslim – is with me. #jan25 #egypt
Although she didn't find a wheelchair, Nadia and her father took a taxi to the Square, and made their way on foot to join the crowds.
@NadiaE  My dad is having the time of his LIFE in Tahrir! Saying he finally smells freedom #egypt
@NadiaE Baba dakhal ata7reer biywassi afrad algaysh wa7id wa7id: iw3a tfarrat filbalad di yabni #egypt #jan25
In Tahrir, as the mass begins, Nadia tells us how Muslims and Copts were joining hands,and chanting for a new dawn to begin in their country.
In a touching tweet, she describes the impact on her father:
Caught my dad tearing up at Christian mass
and adds:
One thing I can tell you: it's not the people in tahrir causing violence between muslims & christians in #egypt #jan25
Nadia also shares the suffering some of the Copts endured in the clashes with government-paid thugs and the security forces during the bloody days of the protests.
She tweets:
Young Copt wounded in revolution – arm in sling – sings about Jesus Christ
and continues:
Young injured Copt sings national anthem
Back to her father, Nadia continues to report how her father in interacting with the crowds:
Man injured in head tried to kiss my dad's hand. Dad refused and instead kissed injured man's hand #egypt #jan25
Kissing hands in our culture is a sign of respect, as Nadia explains in another tweet.
Nadia adds:
Dad posing for camera giving peace and thumbs up sign. He's REALLY enjoying this! #egypt #jan25
She also shares conversations her father had with people at Tahrir:
60 yr old man telling my dad: “Our generation freed Sinai. This generation is freeing #Egypt.” #jan25
@NadiaE: dad talked to family and said: I've seen 3 Egyptian flags in my time. This 4th will say freedom, justice, equality
After prayers, the father-and-daughter duo toured Tahrir:
Dad and I doing the rounds in tahrir. Saw field hospital at front line so dad called doctor, took his hand and kissed it
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadia Al Awady
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Remembering Egypt’s Martyrs  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Tribute is pouring from all around the world for those who have lost their lives in protests held across Egypt to call for an end of the Mubarak regime.
Today is the Sunday of Martyrs, in what is the beginning of the Week of Steadfastness, and marks the 13th day of the Egyptian people's uprising.
A call has gone out for yet another million people's march at Tahrir Square, in down town Cairo, to remember those killed in the protests. The day is expected to feature a Coptic mass, and the families of those killed in the protests have been asked to attend, carrying placards with the names of their dear ones on them. Tahrir Square has been the epicentre of protests in recent days, and a permanent fixture on television screens beaming the developments on the ground live into our living rooms.
Facebook page: Freedom Martyrs
Egypt Remembers also shows the pictures and names of those killed in the struggle.
A Facebook page entitled Freedom Martyrs can also be found here, and people are also encouraged to contribute the names of martyrs of this spreadsheet.
Following are some reactions from Twitter:
@lubzi: My eyes cry when I see your martyrs, #Egypt ! Down with Mubarak's regime TT @Lastoadri: http://twitpic.com/3wvmsf عيني تدمع.. #egyjp #Jan25
@_anamus: cudnt stop my tears as i read thru d bios of d Martyrs… http://1000memories.com/egypt step down #mubarak stop ths killings #egypt #jan25
@egyptianreform: Dont let the martyrs down…continue protesting until the regime collapses! #egypt #tahrir #jan25
@FourYawkeyWay: my heart aches at each bio of the young martyrs in #egypt. It's clear #Mubarak is trying to kill the future he'll not be part of… #jan25
@Repent11: Photos nd details of the martyrs of #Jan25 http://1000memories.com/egypt RIP-God Bless U nd Am Sure ur in a better place away from Mubarak!
@_anamus: DAY 13 of Egyptian Wrath.This will b the Day of Martyrs of the revolution. Another million-man/woman march #jan25 #egypt…good morning world
@hasan_konty: let's promise never to forget our Martyrs who died for the freedom of all of us and swear to punish their killers #egypt #jan25 #tahrir
@bkquade: World must always remember #Egypt martyrs. #Jan25 protests will bring freedom to much of the world. They are all heroes.
@rehabsakr: #egypt #jan25 The Revolution Martyrs, died for us to live, don't forget them!
@TarikSalama: Msg to #Israel: r these faces of violent ppl? martyrs of #Jan25 http://bit.ly/ew6Nyw Democracy in #Egypt only guarantee for peace.
@sokkari: Sunday's Martyrs mass proves that tolerance & respect have bn revived by a revolution of a new generation with a global conscience. #jan25
@virtualactivism: Day of Martyrs during Week of Steadfastness. LOVE how those youth are naming their days. #jan25
Stay tuned for more coverage from Egypt.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Welcoming A New Country · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Egyptians are dreaming of a better future, and for some the dream is already coming true. In this post we hear from Egyptian bloggers who feel they are seeing a new country being born, the country they have been waiting for.
Mona Seif (@monasosh) has been giving regular updates from Tahrir Square, including on the night of 2 February. She reacts to the descriptions of her being “brave”:
I have to clarify this: I was not brave, I was protected.
The battle extended over the night. It started with rocks & glass, moved onto Molotov cocktails, then there was gun fire. The army was there motionless, and at one point they even all went down and hid in their trucks.
I could never find the words to describe the bravery I witnessed that night. […] That night made me fully realize, the Egypt I really want is that of Tahrir square. The people there are what Egypt is all about, and I am with them in whatever fate awaits us.
Revolution. Photo courtesy of Iman Mosaad under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.
Merry describes visiting Tahrir Square with a friend, and the encounter they had with some protestors:
One of them asked me and my friend  as his face beamed with a smile “why did you come?”… my friend said “because this is our country…”, I looked him in the eye and resisted hugging him as I answered “because YOU are my country”… and they are, Oh God, they are the country I have been looking for my entire life and I finally found it…
The sentiment is echoed by Nadia El-Awady on Twitter:
Egyptians at home: stop watching state tv and come to tahrir. See the #Egypt we've all been longing for #jan25
The blogger who calls herself Fugitive in a World of Dreams writes:


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Jordan: Islamists Refuse Offer to Join Government · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

King Abdullah II followed Prime Minister Samir Rifai's resignation with the appointment of former PM Maarouf Bakhit, a Jordanian loyalist with military roots.  While Islamists had called for Rifai's resignation or dismissal, they again reacted negatively to the King's choice, saying that Bakhit is incapable of undertaking political reform.  The King met with opposition Islamist leaders, whose political demands include reforming Jordan's electoral law and ending Jordan's peace treaty with Israel.  Jordan's 2010 electoral law implemented a system of virtual subdistricts which was confusing for voters, and kept district boundaries gerrymandered to heavily favor Bedouin areas over urban areas with large Palestinian-Jordanian populations.
After the meeting with the King, Islamist leaders indicated that the meetings had been ‘clear and candid,’ but that their protests against Bakhit would continue.  Bakhit then went one step further and invited Islamists to participate in his newly formed cabinet, which the Islamists turned down.  This turn of events sparked a discussion amongst Jordanian tweeters.  Naseem Tarawnah began:
Bakhit asks Islamists to join his cabinet but they opt out. What a squandered opportunity! http://is.gd/fPVCsp #REFORMJO #JO
Ali Abu-Nimah asked:
@tarawnah @jawazsafar Haven't they called for free elections based on a fair election law? That would be their test.
Tarawnah suggested:
@avinunu if they took up the offer they'd have had frontrow seats to actually shaping the election law. @JawazSafar
Ali Abu-Nimah argued that the Islamists would merely be legitimizing Bakhit's government without obtaining an real power.
@tarawnah @jawazsafar if I were them I would not. Responsibility without power is a losing game. More leverage outside for now.
Tarawnah retorted:
@avinunu only leverage they have is that of complaining they're not part of the process. that card gets burned when u turn down an invite.
Abu Nimah replied:
@tarawnah they are asking to be part of a transparent process with fair rules not a rigged one where they're given a role as a favor.
Abu-Nimah then referred to the 1991 government, in which several Muslim Brotherhood members held cabinet officers for a period of a few months, but were unable to execute their program of reform.
@tarawnah I am old enough to remember 1991 and so are they. Same game.
Abu-Nimah added:
@tarawnah Jordan is not yet a country where governments can decide policy independently or even against wishes of the monarch.
The discussion then centered on whether or not cabinet members have a serious role in shaping policy, and thus could shape a new election law through a presence in the cabinet.  Tarawnah argued:
@avinunu wrong. vision shaped by king, policy shaped by govt. thats the way it works here.
Abu Nimah referred back to the Islamists, arguing:
@tarawnah they do not need to be in cabinet to help shape election law. Wielding executive power today has nothing to do with it.
And Mohammad Younes agreed with Abu Nimah:
@tarawnah isnt it kinda obvious that after 20+ years in Jordan governments rule is very minor in political reform? @avinunu
Additional Twitter conversations about Jordan's political future are taking place at #reformJo

author: Betsy Fisher


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Kuwait: Praying for a Free Egypt  · Global Voices
Abdullatif AlOmar

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Like the rest of the world, Kuwaiti netizens are closely following the unfolding events in Egypt. Tweeps are lending their support to Egyptian protesters, in prayer and calls for an end of the Mubarak regime.
@MrMMM is not impressed with the preacher's reaction to the Egyptian protests at his local mosque. He reacts:
@maaldallal shares a link to a very touching prayer by Kuwaiti Humood Al Khuder:
@maldallal
المنشد الشاب الكويتي حمود الخضر: أقل ما يمكن أن أقدمه لشعب مصر الأحرار ” الدعـاء” لطفاً أنشر http://bit.ly/fQlBcW
Click the link below to listen to the prayer:
Doa for Egypt
Zaid Al Zaid states:
And Kuwaiti Member of Parliament Dr Jumaan Al Herbesh tweets:
Others continue to pray:
Mishary Buyabis, one of the raising stars of Twitter in Kuwait for his sarcastic comments on local issues, replied when asked of what he thought of the Egyptians continuing demonstration, saying:
And Kasek Ya Watan concludes:
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Abdullatif AlOmar


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Nepal: A Smart Move By Prachanda · Global Voices
Rezwan

Paramendra Bhagat opines that supporting Jhalanath Khanal to be elected as Nepal's new Prime Minister was a smart political move by Maoist political leader Prachanda.


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Africa: No aid without accountability · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Pale Observer wants to see the end of “sick cycle of corrupt fund transfers” in Africa: “African government regimes!!! The blatant corruption and flagrant disregard for their citizens is appalling, but what is worse is the complete lack of accountability when it comes to the shoveling of aid money directly into the coffers of these self serving governments, by the West.”


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Bahamas: In Solidarity with Egyptian Women  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“It always was outrageous to me that humble blog writers like me were being thrown into jail for criticizing the government. But it is proof that this thing called citizen journalism is powerful”: Womanish Words is standing with the women protesters of Egypt.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bangladesh: Chobi Mela – Challenging The Western Hegemony In Photography · Global Voices
Rezwan

Chobi Mela (Photo fair) is a biennial international festival of photography being held in Bangladesh since 2000. Organized by Drik Picture Library Ltd. and Pathshala – South Asian Institute of Photography, this festival showcases the work of Bangladeshi artistes alongside the most exciting works of photographers from the rest of the world.
Sri Lankan photographer Chulie De Silva provides the history of Drik and the Chobi Mela:
Shahidul Alam, photojournalist and activist, director of Chobi Mela. Image from Flickr by fuzheado. CC BY-SA.
The Drik Picture Library was started in 1989 as a small homely business, driven by a need to change the identity of Bangladesh as an icon of poverty and also challenging the western hegemony in photography. “The audacity of it wasn’t an issue. We knew the rules of physics could be bent,” says Shahidul Alam Managing Director and founder talking about the setting up of a world class photo library in the hinterland of photography.  It wasn’t that he was not aware of the challenge – but Alam, a pugnacious critic and activist wanted change desperately – a change in how Bangladesh’s story was being told and controlled by the Western media, a change and opportunities for his marginalized people. The story, he strongly believed had to be told by Bangladesh’s own people who understood the issues and felt the pain and suffering of their people.
As with many of Drik’s ventures the first Chobi Mela (Dec.1999-January 2000) was set up on a shoestring budget but has become the most demographically inclusive photo festival in the world. Drik gave space to local photojournalists and emerging artists to share the platform alongside the likes of Salgado, Reza and Parr who had all generously provide their work. The evening seminar sessions were boisterous and vibrant and have become a meeting point for national and international artists.
From Chobi Mela's Wikipedia entry:
Chobi Mela is considered to have the most diverse participation of any such exhibition in the world. While most major festivals are situated in the West or are organised by European organisations, Chobi Mela is unique in having been developed and launched in South Asia and has now gained respectability through the variety and quality of the work exhibited.
On the 21st of January 2011 Chobi Mela VI started offering the itinerary of 29 print exhibitions, mobile exhibitions on 10 rickshaw vans, 33 digital presentations including two films and one play. The opening events were broadcast live via streamed video.
Andrew Hussey captures photos of the traditional march towards the opening ceremony with a marching band, singing and dancing in the street. Here is a video by Jeremiah Foo depicting various events of the exhibition. Shahidul Alam compiles the media mentions about the event.
Photographer and blogger Sabhanaz Rashid Diya writes about the influence of Pathshala students in Chobi Mela:
This year’s Chobi Mela features more students and ex-students from Pathshala than in previous years, and this is only a reflection of the high quality of work that is being produced in the institution. The new breed of photographers is more dynamic and experimental, breaking traditional approaches and encapsulating intimacy and personal connection in their respective stories. [..]
Chobi Mela VI represents a tremendous journey – not only in terms of the festival, its exhibitions and the visiting artists, but also the students of the institution and the art of photography.
Sabhanaz also interviews internationally reputed photographer Pedro Meyer and new generation photographer Sohrab Hura.
Chobi Mela VI at Drik Library. Image from Flickr by Maruf Hossain. CC BY-SA.
Chris Riley shares his experience of attending Chobi Mela by pointing out to the impact of internet distributed media:
The media that defines the future of photography is a digital internet distributed media. It is the hybrid of and tension between the past and future media that will create new work and new forms of photographic storytelling.
The new technologies, as Drik so aptly demonstrates, is changing the audience from being secluded in a region to being global in influence. From Dhaka the stories must be different, they must be from a different perspective and in a different form. This is the Chobi Mela challenge: to emerge into the world and change it. The context for creativity is a large part of creative energy itself.
Another Chobi Mela participant Carlos Cazalis posts “a visual series of images of the mass urbanization occurring in Dhaka and its consequences” in Mega Cities blog.
You can get more information on the exhibition at the Chobi Mela Blog and Shahidul News.


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Cambodia: Review of Tedx Phnom Penh · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Tedx Phnom Penh conducted its first event in Cambodia last February 5. “Building the Future” was the chosen theme for this year’s Tedx Phnom Penh
We hope that this is the start of a much larger conversation in Cambodia about sharing ideas and collaborating to build the bright futures we all are envisioning for ourselves and our communities. This is part of the reason we choose the theme “Building the Future” as we hope that those of us from or living in Cambodia and those travelling through will begin to focus more on Cambodia’s future than dwelling on its tragic past
The speakers during the program
Keeda Oikawa & Kung Nai: Live Painting & Chapei
Sithen Sum “Self-Education”
Mike Rios “Dong Chim the Quarter-Life Crisis”
Enemies of the People Video Presentation by Rob Lemkin & Thet Sambath Live
Tiny Toones “Dance Your Life Around”
Kounila Keo “Blogging: The New Generation of Cambodia”
Chris Brown “Lean Startup – a bootstrapping guide for young entrepreneurs”
Channe Suy “Building the Future of Cambodia starts with Sharing”
Colin Wright “Extreme Lifestyle Experiments”
Chris Noble “From Little Things, Big Things Grow”
Theary Seng “Reconciling Peace with Justice in Cambodia”
Phloeun Prim & Cambodian Living Arts Performers “Transformation of a Nation through the Arts”
Cambodian blogger Tharum Bun expects the speakers to contribute in improving the global image of Cambodia
… they collectively represent some of the brightest observers of modern day Cambodia, a place that has no shortage of stories worthy of international attention, yet, is off the radar of Western news outlets, save for times of massive human casualties or major decisions in the Khmer Rouge; stories which do little to change the view of Cambodia as a seemingly hopeless casualty of the cold war era. Given the global reach of TED.com, speakers should feel the responsibility to tell Cambodian stories in a way that evokes hope and admiration from an international audience, rather than pessimism or pity.
Tharum also liveblogged the proceedings
10:23 – Not as many as registered attendees are showing up this morning. It’s less than a hundred people here
11:04 – A Cambodian organizer, Rithy Thul, said about 120 people are now at TEDxPP this morning. 150 tickets were given away.
11:11 – It’s as if people outside Cambodia are having difficulties watching live-video from #TEDxPP
Sophal Ear, one of the speakers, is happy that this event is being held in Cambodia
TED is about ideas worth spreading and Cambodia has many wonderful ideas worth spreading and sharing. I believe that Cambodian thought leaders and visionaries can come together at TEDxPP not just as speakers but as audience members who can absorb ideas from one another for a better Cambodia.
Thomas Wanhoff commends the organizers
The dramaturgiy of the event was well prepared and executed. I dont now how much they had to follow TED rules, but the organizers did a great job.
So my conclusion: A well organised conference, where I learneda lot, where I learned from other people as well, and where I had moments when some tears came out. TED is not just a rational event, but also emotional. This TEdxPP followed this claim. In the future, the planning team should try to get a location that represents Cambodia better then the expat compound of Northbridge. There are good and suitable locations in town. Also I would like to see more Khmer people in the planning team, and not only the usual young white volunteer gang. And please, no more “from that dark ages of the Khmer rouge regime” talks. We know it, thanks.
Again, a big thank you to the organizers for making a dream come true for me.
Leigh is also impressed with how the event was organized
First, I want to tell you that the organizers hit it out of the park. It was an incredible blend of thoughts & cultures.
The conference consisted of 13 live presentations & 3 previously recorded Ted talks that were projected on screen. The speakers and subject matter were diverse, but some common themes arose including the importance of sharing information (so appropriate at a Ted event!), engagement (especially of the target community), innovative solutions, and execution of great ideas.
What struck me most about the conference was the strong presence of Cambodians. I’d guess that half of the attendees were young Khmers, many of whom are entrepreneurs & students. Half of the speakers were Khmer, a few of whom grew up outside of Cambodia due to the Khmer Rouge but returned in their adult life.
This event was so thoroughly steeped in Cambodian culture and tradition
TEDxPP is the official twitter account of Tedx Phnom Penh
TEDxPP wrapping up, a huge thanks to everyone who presented, a really special experience
Intl webcast problems diagnosed: further you are from Hong Kong the more likely it is to drop sorry folks. Stay tuned for the edited videos!
Webcast update: US apparently able to connect, apologies to those having problems, will update you as soon as we hear back from ISP
TEDxPP has gone into group discussions: what has generated success for you?
Use the #TEDxPP hashtag to monitor the reactions of twitter users
worldnomads #tedxpp was superb, top themes, knowledge sharing = empowerment, engagement creates ideas & opportunities and know your WHY !
tenaciousleigh my mind is still completely blown from how awesome #tedxpp was. reviewing notes & plotting for the future. thanks to speakers & organizers!
thomaswanhoff a big thank you to the #tedxpp organisers. you created an unforgetable event
dickonverey What a day at TEDxPP… Completely inspired… Want to compile a list of Best ofs… Brilliant work by the organizing crew. #TEDxPP
Here are some photos of the event.

author: Mong Palatino


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Cambodia: Wikileaks and CambodiaLeaks · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

A blog called CambodiaLeaks uploads documents and news reports about the Wikileaks cables involving Cambodia.


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China: QQ and the American Dream · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

China and the World has a blog post looking into the Chinese Internet giant, Tencent's lunar new year advertisement which tells the typical story of a young Chinese with a “dream”.


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Colombia: British expat loves Bogotá · Global Voices
Julián Ortega Martínez

Vicki, a British journalist living in Colombia's capital, has posted her 101 reasons to love Bogotá, including “Streets are numbered, not named. You don’t need an A-Z,” “It is considered acceptable to love books,” “Sometimes people sell chocolate on the buses,” “New people don’t have to be drunk to talk to you,” or “The taxi driver will wait for you to open your front door.”


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Cuba: Who Does The Law Protect?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Laritza's Laws says that “the fact that justice depends on politics “assures them [leaders] political immunity, both for themselves and their clique.”


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Egypt: Our Hero, Wael Ghonim · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

For days, Egyptians have been searching far and wide for Wael Ghonim, the Google executive who went missing on January 27.  Today, after much speculation, Ghonim was released.
Google itself was among the first to make the announcement on Twitter:
Huge relief–Wael Ghonim has been released. Our love to him and his family.
In the few hours since his release, Ghonim has given two interviews.  The first, tweeted by @HabibH, is below, with a translated version available at Alive in Egypt:
The second, for DreamTV, was streamed live and live-tweeted by journalist Sultan Al Qassemi, who quickly translated the interview into English.  The following are a few of Ghonim's statements captured in the tweets:
Wael @Ghonim: They wanted details, information. “Are the people who planned this outsiders?” We didn't do anything wrong, this was an appeal
Wael @Ghonim: The Egyptian State TV channels didn't portray the truth, that is why people watch the private channels now
Al Qassemi concluded his tweeting with this statement:
Wael @Ghonim's last words: I want to tell families who lost their sons this is not our fault. This is the fault of those clinging to power.
The interview is also available (in Arabic) on YouTube and has been transcribed here.
Egyptians and others on Twitter were captivated by Ghonim's interview, with many calling him a hero.  @EgyptSecularist writes:
This is a turning point in the revolution. @Ghonim's emotions will give more determination to #tahrir. Tomorrow is going to be tremendous.
@SarraMoneir also expresses her appreciation:
egypt is crying… i´m drowning in my own tears. GOD BLESS YOU @Ghonim
@CaireneGirl Sherine Elbanhawy also gives Ghonim adulation:
@Ghonim We are so proud of you.No one blames you. U are a true patriot. We love u. Hold your head up high. You have liberated #Egypt #jan25
Cairo-based journalist Ben Wedeman (@bencnn) agrees:
the wael @ghonim interview on DreamTV: Earthshaking. #Jan25 #Egypt #tahrir
Egyptian journalist @SarahCarr sees things the same way:
The next time someone doubts the logic of the Tahrir occupation make him watch the @ghonim interview #jan25


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Egypt: Tahrir Square’s Mini Utopia · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
There is another side to the ongoing revolution in Egypt, which is the daily life of those people sitting in on Tahrir Square. For the past 12 days, they have remained on the square, eating, drinking, chanting, cheering – simply living there day and night. Life here has its own rhythm now, and the spirit on diplay is of a mini Utopia.
Mornings begin with physical exercises while chanting “Down down Mubarak!”.
As the day continues, and more people pour into the square, residents welcome them with more chants as @ashoukry says:
The million pound question on everyone's mind, was asked by @Maysaloon from Syria on Twitter:
Had a thought today, what are all those people in Tahrir Square doing for sanitation? I don't see any cubicles anywhere…
And so I replied:
Either they use nearby mosques’ or underground public toilets, or nearby buildings, or shops. Some even return home & come back.
For instance @TAFATEFO tweeted while staying on Tahrir Square himself:
People spend a good while of their day cleaning the square. Photo by Monasosh on Flickr (CC-BY 2.0)
Even while it rains, people keep marching covered by a plastic sheet. Photo by Nadia El Awady on Twitpic
With every that day passes, the mood on the square becomes more like a daily open carnival organised by the people and for the people. As @etharkamal tweeted:
LOVE Egyptian ingenuity: for LE1 [one Egyptian pound] a 7antoor (horse carriage) will take you across Kasr El-Nil bridge to reach #tahrir #jan25
@Tarekshalaby also added:
At Tahrir sq. you can find pop corn, couscous, sweet potatoes, sandwiches, tea & drinks! Egyptians know how to revolt! #jan25
Egyptian tea anyone? .. Photo by Gigi Ibrahim shared on Facebook
"That's how people keep going, eating dates." Photo by Gigi Ibrahim shared on Facebook
People praying, a scene repeated five time a day, by Floris Van Cauwelaert on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
At night, its much quieter, yet the same spirit prevails. @Tarekshalaby said on Sunday night:
Cold n rainy night in Tahrir sq. Has been very festive/entertaining with songs n poetry. #jan25
@estr4ng3d said:
Loud cheerful music playing now, people dancing & clapping #tahrir
One night people combined their chants in a song entitled “Power to the people” to celebrate Egyptian youth coming together for peace, freedom and change:
Some days behold different and special events, on Sunday @Ekramibrahim tweeted:
1 - Christians and Muslims holding hands in #Tahrir and singing hymns after Coptic mass was a marvelous attitude never seen [before]. #Egypt #jan25
2 - A couple got married today at #Tahrir. God bless the couple. Very creative and warm attitude. #Jan25 #Egypt
@estr4ng3d expressed a feeling shared by many:
#Tahrir is definitely the happiest spot in #egypt right now. #jan25
"It's happening in Tahrir Sq. now.. Egypt" – Photo by Monasosh on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Eman AbdElRahman