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The Lights and the Shadows of the New Cuban Labor Code  · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

The new Labor Code entered into effect in Cuba. (Photo by Alejandro Menéndez Vega, used with permission)
After several months and intense debates in the workplace ,and the National Assembly of the People's Power, the new Labor Code was issued in the context of the expansion of private businesses and incentives for foreign investments. But the exclusion of anti-discriminatory articles regarding gender identity and harassment at work have sparked controversy on the Island.
The new Code stresses a ban on child labor and special protections for young people between 15 and 18 years old. Furthermore, it regulates worker's rights to improve, as well as their right to daily and weekly breaks, and annual paid vacation time.
“There has been a lot of talk regarding this new law on national news,” Camilo García comments on his blog, “especially laying down legislation regarding work relations in non-state owned businesses, something that is essential with this continued exponential growth and which, for that matter, is needed to protect those who are employed there.”
Gender identity neglected
(Photo by Jorge Luis Baños, used with permission)
Gender identity was not included as cause of discrimination in the new Labor Code, only “sexual orientation.” Article 2b, referring to the grounds of discrimination, has generated strong controversy in blogs and social networks. This provision states that
Todo ciudadano en condiciones de trabajar tiene derecho a obtener un empleo atendiendo a las exigencias de la economía y a su elección, tanto en el sector estatal como no estatal; sin discriminación por el color de la piel, género, creencias religiosas, orientación sexual, origen territorial, discapacidad y cualquier otra distinción lesiva a la dignidad humana.
Any citizen able to work has the right to employment while addressing the demands of the economy and to choose a sector owned or not owned by the state; without discrimination on grounds of skin color, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability and other eminence harmful to human dignity.
Francisco Rodríguez, journalist and sexual rights activist , noted in his blog:
Estoy indignado porque ocurrió lo que no debía suceder. El nuevo Código de Trabajo acaba de ser publicado, sin incluir de forma explícita a la identidad de género como uno de los motivos para no discriminar, dentro de los principios fundamentales que rigen el derecho al empleo.
I am outraged because what never should have occurred, happened. The new Labor Code has just been published, without explicit inclusion of sexual identity as one of the motives to not discriminate, within the key principles that govern employment rights.
The fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation was part of the project discussed by the Cuban National Assembly last December. Furthermore, after having taken into account discussions amongst representatives, disability has also been in included. However, the proposal of representative and chairwoman of the National Center for Sex Education (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual or Cenesex), Mariela Castro, for the need to include gender identity in order to protect transsexual people, was not acknowledged.
Rodríguez notes:
El asunto es muy grave. Pone en entredicho los métodos y formas de trabajo de la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular, el cumplimiento de los procedimientos legislativos por parte de la dirección del máximo órgano del Estado y la transparencia en la toma de decisiones a partir de la voluntad de los diputados y las diputadas, los únicos que pueden ejercer el derecho de aprobar o modificar leyes en representación del pueblo cubano.
This is a very serious matter. This undermines the methods and ways of work by the National Assembly of People's Power, compliance of legislative procedures managed by the highest body of the State and the transparency in the decision-making stems from the will of the members, the only ones who can exercise their right to approve or modify legislation representing the Cuban people.
In accordance with Rodríguez, the inclusion of gender identity as a cause of discrimination “was only rejected in the Parliament by the Secretary of State Council, who despite admitting that he did not fully understand the issue, took a stand against it.” Rodriguez expounds:
También presentó sus reservas hacia las propuestas de la diputada Mariela, el presidente de la Comisión de Asuntos Constitucionales y Jurídicos, quien fue encargado para dirigir la comisión que concluiría la redacción del cuerpo legal. No fue atendida ni siquiera la sugerencia del primer vicepresidente cubano, Miguel Díaz-Canel, quien medió en la discusión y abogó por tener en cuenta lo allí planteado por Castro Espín.
Reservations against the proposals of the representative Mariela, were also brought forth by the chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Legal Matters, who was in charge of leading the committee that would finalize the writing of the law. Not even the recommendation of the first Cuban Vice-president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, who mediated the discussion and advocated for what had been presented by Castro Espín, was taken into account.
Alberto Roque Guerra, a medical doctor by profession and activist for the LGBT community, writes in his blog that “Cuban transgender people barely have access to work and beyond that, they are obligated to act and behave according to their legal identity, regardless of the gender identity they identify with.”
Harassment at work, dismissals, groupings, and suitability: Other pending issues
Roque Guerra also warns about the absence of references of harassment at the workplace in the legislation “despite frequent cases on multiple grounds and that are very difficult to prove.”
Las trabajadoras y los trabajadores cubanos no tienen ni la menor idea de cómo identificar el acoso laboral, a pesar de que estos perfiles han sido descritos por la psicología, la psiquiatría y la medicina del trabajo hace muchos años. En mi práctica profesional he conocido numerosas víctimas, tanto pacientes como compañeros de trabajo. Al parecer tendremos que esperar unos treinta años para incluirlo como «una novedad» de la post-postmodernidad.
Cuban male and female workers don't have the slightest idea about how to identify harassment at work, even though it was outlined, many years ago, by psychology, psychiatry and health aspects at the workplace. During my professional practice, I have met numerous victims, both patients as well as professional colleagues. It seems that we are going to have to wait thirty years to see it as «change» in post-post-modernity.
Similarly, Rogelio Díaz, from the site Observatorio Crítico, notes that the Code fails to establish effective ways to support the fight against discrimination, “at least in the private sphere where the use and abuse of the section ‘reason for the end of employment’ prevails, due to the simple ‘initiative of one of the parties.'”
The “suitability” of state workers has also been a matter of discussion. According to Díaz,
A mí me preocupaba también, por ejemplo, la situación de riesgo de los trabajadores del sector estatal de quedar declarados “no idóneos” y, por lo tanto, despedibles, sin muchas garantías. El Código y su Reglamento complementario establecen los mecanismos para este proceso y, según lo que entendí, dependerá sobre todo de la ética de las personas involucradas.
I was also concerned, for example, about the risk of workers in the state sector being labeled as “not suited” and, therefore exploitable and without many guarantees. The Code and additional regulations establish the mechanism for this process, and according to my understanding, it will above all depend on the ethics of those involved.
Chapter II, referring to worker's unions, in Article 13 points out that “workers have the right to voluntarily associate themselves and constitute trade union organizations, in conformity with its founding principles, statutes and regulations, democratically discussed and adopted, and adhere to the law.”
However, this ability to spontaneously and freely come together “is hampered by the obligation to follow certain basic “unitarian” principles, that supposedly will serve to repress any and all who attempt to do something outside of the only existent trade union recognized by the government,” warned Rogelio Díaz.
Other components excluded from the Labor Code were the right to go on strike, and discrimination based on political affiliation.
Lessons regarding procedures of the National Assembly of People's Power
The National Assembly of People's Power, as stated in Articles 69, 70 and 71, is the supreme body of the State; it represents and expresses the sovereign will of all the people, it is the only body with constituent and legislative authority, and it is compromised by representatives elected through the free, direct and secret votes of the electorate, in proportion and in accordance with the process determined by law.
Last December, faced with the impossibility of reaching an agreement during the time in which the National Assembly convened, it was proposed that a Style Committee be created to be in charge of writing the final version of the legislation, taking the representatives’ debates into consideration.
“For citizens and their representatives, the lesson must be very clear: from now on, it is not possible to cast a vote on commissions nor to have mediation outside of  the Assembly's democratic sphere. That is neither constitutional nor ethical,” Francisco Rodriguez advises.
Si hay que discutir cada letra de una ley, tendrán que hacerlo. No son posibles los conformismos ni las presiones a partir de los restringidos tiempos parlamentarios de las sesiones ordinarias de la Asamblea Nacional (…)
El Parlamento tiene que sesionar las horas y los días que sean necesarios hasta que haya una votación sobre textos y principios definitivos. No es admisible que nuestros diputados y diputadas otorguen un cheque en blanco a ninguna persona o grupo de personas para que determinen sobre cuestiones sustantivas de derechos con posterioridad al ejercicio del voto (…)
Solo así conseguiremos que haya respeto a las políticas aprobadas y a la voluntad expresa del Partido Comunista de Cuba en sus documentos rectores, sin que nadie se arrogue la potestad de interpretarlos y adoptar decisiones sobre la base exclusiva de su conveniencia o sus limitaciones culturales o de otro tipo.
If a discussion of every line of the law needs to take place, then so be it. Neither conformity nor pressure are feasible, since the restriction of the parliamentary times during the ordinary session of the National Assembly (…)
Parliament must convene the hours and days necessary until votes for texts and conclusive principles exist. It is not admissible that our representatives issue a blank check to an individual or group of individuals to figure out substantial issues subsequent to the exercise of voting(…)
This is the only way that we will gain respect toward the approved policies and the expressed will of the Cuban Communist Party in it's governing documents, with out anyone claiming the power to their own interpretation and implementing decisions based exclusively on their own convenience or cultural limitations, among other criteria.


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The Splendour of Puerto Madryn  · Global Voices
María Romina Mascareño

Image by Wenceslao Bottaro, used with his permission.
Wenceslao Bottaro shares on his blog the trip he made to the south of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, Argentina. This time, he visited Punta Este, Punta Loma and Cerro Avanzado, among other tourist attractions.
Este es un paseo para descubrir la zona sur de Puerto Madryn, es apto para todo público y muy agradable para hacer.
Desde el EcoCentro, al final del boulevar, aún tenemos que seguir algunos kilómetros más para llegar a Punta Este. Desde este lugar disfrutamos de magníficas vistas de la ciudad y vemos como se extiende sobre la costa abrazando el golfo.
Poco antes de llegar a la playa nos detenemos en una parte elevada del camino que nos ofrece vistas increíbles; pero al bajar de la camioneta para tomar una foto, me hipnotiza lo que veo: enfrente y a lo lejos, los cerros caen en pliegues de colores tenues, violáceos, como chorreados sobre sí mismos […]
This is a visit to discover the southern part of Puerto Madryn, it's suitable for everybody and very nice.
From EcoCentro, at the end of the boulevard, we still are some kilometers away from Punta Este. From here, we enjoy magnificent views of the city and we see how it extends over the shore embracing the gulf.
Just before getting to the beach, we stop at an elevated part of the road that has some amazing views, but getting out of the car to take a picture, I'm mesmerized by what I see: in front of me and far away, the mountains fall in soft-colored folds, violet, as if leaked on themselves […].
This is a very thorough account that invites readers to visit these places with unique natural beauty.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: María Romina Mascareño


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‘Tajikistan is Not Ukraine’: Leading Academics in London Discuss Alexander Sodiqov’s Arrest  · Global Voices
Edward Lemon

At SOAS, in London, academics meet to discuss the context surrounding, and implications of, Alexander Sodiqov's arrest. Photo taken by Edward Lemon.
Alexander Sodiqov was arrested whilst conducting research in Tajikistan on June 16. Although a PhD student at the University of Toronto at the time of his arrest, Alexander was working for UK's University of Exeter on an Economic and Social Research Council project focusing on ‘Rising Powers and Conflict Management’.
In response to his arrest, the academic community organised a global campaign for his release. This includes a petition (with almost 3,000 signatures as of June 28), and a series of academic events around the world to discuss the case. Events were held in Washington, Canberra, Exeter, Toronto, Paris, Freiburg, Astana, Bishkek and Heidelberg. A meeting of solidarity for Alexander was held by the  Ankara Segmenler Forumu, a Turkish civil society group.
London also hosted an event. Over 30 academics met at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London on June 27 to discuss Sodiqov's case. The discussion centered on the details of his arrest, the context within which a researcher could be accused of “spying” and the implications for research in Central Asia.
As with the other events connected to Alexander Sodiqov, the meeting was titled ‘Researchers at Risk in Central Asia: The Detention of Alexander Sodiqov’.
This situation is significant for Alexander and for the project. But it is also significant well beyond this, in relation to academic freedom and the ability to be able to do research on sensitive topics in Central Asia. […] The centre (CCCAC) believes that academics should be able to do this kind of research. The wider world knows what is going on in these countries, both the good sides and the bad sides. And the ability to conduct research on these topics is very important.
Dr. John Heathershaw. Image taken from exeter.ac.uk
[Alexander Sodiqov] is very experienced and well-connected in the international community. He is a strong person and a capable person. He is one of the best social science, and particularly political science, minds in Tajikistan. The aim of [global academic and civil society campaign campaign to free Sodiqov] is to provide him with legal services, ensure he is not mistreated and ultimately push for his release.
He has a lawyer. He has met with his wife on June 26 and she reports that he is in a good condition. He has been well fed. He has not been harmed, and he is actually in quite good spirits. He is an academic researcher. He has a contract as an academic researcher. He has a public profile as an academic researcher and he has the support of the global academic community.
There are different levels going on here. One could explain the arrest in the context of larger geopolitical struggles. And that may well be the case. There is a lot of thinking of that kind, which I witnessed in the month I just spent there. There is a lesson here for anyone considering fieldwork in Tajikistan. Hopefully they are now reconsidering the feasibility of their projects […] Clearly there is a particular problem in Badakhshan.
Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Editor of Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Although the arrest of a government opponent is nothing new, Alex’s arrest is exceptional. It signifies a growing anti-western sentiment in Tajikistan.
There are signs of a growing anti-western sentiment in Tajikistan. There is a fear that events like those taking place in Ukraine may spread to Tajikistan. Of course Tajikistan is not Ukraine. But this is the way in which the Tajik authorities see things. Tajikistan is also getting closer to Russia; the influence of Russia is growing stronger. This is due to Moscow’s policy in the near abroad, in the face of international isolation […] Russia is not only content with stirring up anti-western sentiments. There are signs that it is co-ordinating the anti-western response of the government.
In December 2013 the CSTO organised a meeting where they discussed how to prevent coloured revolutions. They discussed how to counter the impact of foreign NGOs. They also discussed the online campaigns that may threaten the governments in these countries. Along with talking about civil society as a threat, they also mentioned terrorism and Islamic militancy. This is worrying because they equated the two; both became an external threat.
Rising anti-western tendencies are not unique to Tajikistan. Similar processes are taking place in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The Kyrgyz parliament is discussing a bill that will restrict the activities of foreign funded NGOs. They are talking about a bill on espionage and a bill on foreign agents. So anti-western sentiments are nothing new, but what has happened in 2014 is that these have come to the fore. […] Anyone associated with western funding is now considered an enemy.

author: Edward Lemon


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There’s a Good Chance Your World Cup Jersey Was Made in Bangladesh · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

About 4 million Bangladeshis are working in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, which is the principal source of foreign exchange earnings. Eighty percent of the workforce in this sector are women. Image by Shafiqul Alam. Copyright Demotix (22/6/2014)
Bangladesh ranks low among the world's football teams and didn't qualify to play in the FIFA World Cup this year, but the populous country is still an important player in Brazil — much of the apparel worn by fans and some of the players’ jerseys bear the “Made in Bangladesh” label.
Garment manufacturers, already the country's largest export earners, have earned at least 500 million US dollars in export orders to sew fan World Cup jerseys of most of the players of the 16 participating teams, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Iran, France, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Chili and Germany. The sales are expected to boost the industry's growth.
Bangladesh has also manufactured the Brazilian national team's jerseys. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) decided that “Made in Bangladesh” would be written at the lower part of the jersey to pay tribute to the victims of 2013 Rana Plaza collapse that killed more than 1,100 people and Tazreen Garments fire which killed more than a 100 people, according to media reports.
Karima Haque at football news site Side Tackle congratulated Bangaldesh for its work:
We […] commend and salute the thousands of pairs of hands that has made this praiseworthy feat possible. They have, and they will, make Bangladesh proud in the foreseeable future.
Tanvir Ahmed, a Liverpool Football Club fan in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, tweeted:
I really feel proud when I realize all Brazil jersey are made in #Bangladesh this year. Really proud!!!
— Tanvir Rahman (@pritomtanvir) June 12, 2014
The World Cup apparel is not only popular in countries participating in the tournament, but also at home in Bangladesh, a country of about 160 million people. Football is a favorite sport here. Official team jerseys from Nike, Adidas and Puma are available but costly, so many fans prefer to buy unofficial jerseys from roadside stands or shops.
A group of football fans in Dhaka seen wearing their favorite team jerseys. Images by Reaz Sumon. Copyright Demotix (05/06/2014)
Football fans on the Dhaka University campus. Image by Firoz Ahmed. Copyright Demotix (12/06/2014)]
Bangladeshi football fans are already busy buying flags and jerseys of the countries they support. Image by Firoz Ahmed. Copyright Demotix (10/06/2014).
Football fans buy jerseys of their favorite teams from Bangladesh's Dhaka ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Image by Md. Asaduzzaman Pramanik. Copyright Demotix (19/5/2014)
The gear is proving to be a boon for business. A Bangladeshi garments manufacturer and popular actor M. A. Jalil Ananta explained in an interview in a local newspaper about the economics of the export:
পোলো ব্র্যান্ডের জার্সিগুলোর দাম আমরা প্রতি পিসের জন্য সর্বনিম্ন নয় ডলার করি নিচ্ছি। অন্য সময় আমরা সাধারণত একই ব্র্যান্ডের এই পোলো শার্টের দাম প্রতি পিস সাড়ে ছয় ডলার থেকে সাত ডলার রাখি। এতে করে এখানে যেসব গার্মেন্টস এই কাজ করছে, তারা প্রতি পিসে বাড়তি দুই ডলার করে পাচ্ছে। ফলে আমরা রেমিট্যান্সও বেশি করে আনতে পারলাম। আমরা দুদিক থেকেই লাভবান। এক. বিশ্বকাপে একধরনের অংশগ্রহণ, দুই. ব্যবসায়িকভাবে লাভবান। এ ছাড়া বাংলাদেশের পরিচিতিও বাড়বে।
We are exporting Polo brand football shirts at 9 US dollars a piece. Usually the price of this merchandise is 6.30-7.00 US dollars. But due to high demand for the jerseys, the manufacturers supplying them are getting an extra 2 dollars. So our foreign currency income has increased. We are profiting both ways: 1) we can be involved in the World Cup and 2) earn increased profit margins. This also boosts Bangladesh's reputation.

author: পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)


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Costa Rica Rejoices as National Team Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals in Historic First · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón Orbe

Costa Rican fans celebrate at Tamarindo beach after the national team defeated the Greek team during 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Image by Thornton Cohen. Copyright Demotix (June 29, 2014).
Costa Rica's national football team moved forward to the quarterfinals for the first time ever in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after defeating the Greek crew 5-3 in extra time during a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to break the match's 1-1 tie.
At 52 minutes in Sunday's match, Costa Rica scored thanks to Bryan Ruiz after passes from Joel Campbell and Christian Bolaños. Everything was turning out just fine for the ‘ticos’, as the Costa Rican people are colloquially known, but a foul by Óscar Duarte against midfielder Lazaros Christodoulopoulos earned Duarte a second yellow card, and he was expelled from the pitch.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos then scored for Greece at 91′ and with that tie, the teams had to play an additional 30-minute period. Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas was the shootout hero, blocking a shot by Fanis Gekas and ensuring his team would move to the next phase.
Celebrations erupted throughout Costa Rica, as noted [es] by website El blog de mi fútbol ecuatoriano (The blog of my Ecuadorian football):
En la céntrica Plaza de la Democracia, convertida en la versión local del “fanfest” del Mundial, el estallido de júbilo fue unánime, con saltos de alegría, danzas improvisadas y abrazos al primer desconocido que aparecía por delante.
[…]
Pese a la algarabía, el mandatario descartó declarar asueto entre los empleados públicos el lunes.
At the central Democracy Square, that became a local version of the World Cup “fanfest”, the outburst of joy was unanimous, with people jumping happily, improvised dances and hugs for the first stranger that happened to pass by.
[…]
In spite of the rejoicing, the president rejected the idea of declaring a day off for public servants on Monday.
Costa Rican president Luis Guillermo Solís tweeted:
¡Esto es historia! #CRC Un pueblo celebra por ustedes muchachos. ¡Grande Sele! #Brasil2014 pic.twitter.com/SswfgMv9Ia
— Luis Guillermo Solís (@luisguillermosr) junio 30, 2014
This is history! #CRC A whole nation celebrates for you guys. What a national team!
Costa Rica fans took to Twitter to mark the historic achievement by their national football team, starting with goalkeeper Keylor Navas himself:
Esta parada es para Dios,mi familia,mis compañeros,para toda Costa Rica. Viva la sele y Costa Rica!!! pic.twitter.com/55IkL4tgQQ
— Keylor Navas (@NavasKeylor) junio 30, 2014
This block is for God, my family, my teammates, for all Costa Rica. Long live the national team and Costa Rica!!!
@someecardES gave the Netherlands fair warning:
Holanda: la siguiente víctima de Costa Rica.
— Señor Sarcasmo (@someecardES) junio 30, 2014
Netherlands: the next victim of Costa Rica.
Some tweeted photos of the celebrations:
Costa Rica ayer foto por @alvaradofoto #CRC #Mundial2014 pic.twitter.com/NtsBzEY3Sy — Juan Carlos Agüero (@juankaguerom) junio 30, 2014
Costa Rica yesterday (Sunday, June 29), photo by @alvaradofoto.
#CR vivió una locura sin precedentes tras histórica clasificación a cuartos de final (VIDEOS): http://t.co/JxWBeJohAt pic.twitter.com/CAbrnNAg8B
— Everardo Herrera (@alpiedeldeporte) junio 30, 2014
#CR experiences unprecedented madness after historic qualification to quarterfinals (VIDEOS).
Others congratulated the team and were confident about the next match:
IMPACTANTE imagen de un equipo levantándose para ganar. COSTA RICA deja huellas en la historia http://t.co/FBlXlhXGSa pic.twitter.com/JLsoT7UoO5
— José Ramón Fernández (@joserra_espn) junio 30, 2014
IMPRESSIVE image of a team rising up to win. COSTA RICA is making history.
Costa Rica no le teme a Holanda: RECIFE, Brasil — Costa Rica ha sido la gran sorpresa del Mundial hasta ahora y sus jugadores quiere…
— Angel Rap™ (@_AnGelRap) junio 30, 2014
Costa Rica is not afraid of the Netherlands. RECIFE, Brazil — Costa Rica has been a big surprise on the World Cup until now and the players want…
@danudisorder este mundial esta de locos! Costa Rica es un ejemplo de que todo puede pasar
— Maria (@mariaclau94) junio 30, 2014
Crazy World Cup! Costa Rica is an example that anything can happen.
One user, @Aritz_FCB, shared his hope:
Al final va a ser verdad que el Mundial lo gana Costa Rica…
— Aritztóteles (@Aritz_FCB) junio 30, 2014
At the end, it will be true that Costa Rica becomes world champion…

author: Gabriela García Calderón Orbe


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Learn How to Protect Your Email Communication in Less Than 30 Minutes · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

#EmailSelfDefense infographic by Journalism++ for the Free Software Foundation (CC BY 4.0)
Email Self-Defense, a beginner's guide to email encryption by the Free Software Foundation (FSF), was released in six new languages [fr, de, jp, ru, pt, tr] on June 30, 2014. More languages are underway.
Even if you have nothing to hide, using encryption helps protect the privacy of people you communicate with, and makes life difficult for bulk surveillance systems. If you do have something important to hide, you're in good company; these are the same tools that Edward Snowden used to share his famous secrets about the NSA.
Edward, a friendly email bot, helps Email Self-Defense users test their new encryption systems.
FSF's guide was originally launched as part of the Reset The Net campaign on June 5, 2014 — a global day of action against bulk surveillance that marked the first anniversary of Edward Snowden's revelations about the US National Security Agency's (NSA) massive and indiscriminate global spying machine.
“Email Self-Defense is only one important piece of the solution to bulk surveillance,” FSF states:
While we learn email encryption tools, we also need to push politically to reign in surveillance, build a safer Internet, and force governments and companies to reduce the amount of data they collect about us in the first place. We hope translated versions of Email Self-Defense can be the entry into this multifaceted movement for people all around the world.

author: Sara Moreira


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In Cuba, a Correspondence Exchange Spices up the 2014 World Cup · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

Photograph: by Joe Shlabotnik from Flickr, under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.9.
As part of the coverage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, two Cuban journalists and bloggers began an exchange of correspondence in the online magazine Cubahora. The letters have gone far beyond the online publication, and are now being shared on social media. Rendered in each entry are the humorist and ironic tones of both these authors, the revelation of personal experiences linked to fútbol, as well as sly criticism regarding the state of the sport in Cuba.
Charly Morales and Diego Armando Maradona (Photograph courtesy of Charly Morales)
According to the first entry, “both [writers] answer to the name Carlos; Charley Morales Valido is the old Zorro of journalism, sports enthusiast and connoisseur of philias focused on how a Club truly feels. The second one is Carlos Manuel Álvarez, a young man who recently graduated just a year ago and shows his love for literature and the sport in a somewhat disrespectful manner.”
In the first letter, Morales recalls the 1990 World Cup and narrates how his favoritism for the Brazilian team over La Albiceleste (Argentinian team) came to be:
Creo que ni habías nacido cuando yo empecé a cobrar conciencia mundialista. Fue en Italia’90 que comencé a enfermarme de fútbol y a decepcionarme de esa Argentina que no era tan infalible como yo creía. Si un vejete como Roger Milla les hacía un gol y encima lo celebraba bailándole una lambada al banderín del corner, pues estábamos listos. No corté con la Albiceleste, porque se redimieron y llegaron a aquella triste final contra la Mannschaft de Mattheus, Klinsmann y Voeller, con aquel equipazo que hizo al inglés Gary Lineker decir su inmortal “el fútbol es un deporte en que juegan 11 contra 11 y siempre gana Alemania”. Aunque desde entonces jamás ganaron… (…) Ya para Estados Unidos’94 yo sabía que podía gustarme Argentina, pero mi corazón sería de Brasil.
I don't think you'd even been born yet when I began following the World Cup. It was back in 1990 Italy when my fever for fútbol began, as well as my disappointment in Argentina, who was not as infallible as I thought. If an old man like Roger Milla can score on them and on top of it celebrate by dancing the Lambada with the corner flag, well, then we were all ready. I didn't cut ties with the Albiceleste because they redeemed themselves and made it to the depressing finals against Mannschafr de Mattheus, Klinsmann and Voeller, who made up that huge team which led Gary Lineker to express his immortal line “twenty two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end the German's always win.” Although, they haven't won since (…) Then for the US World Cup '94, I knew I could be into Argentina, but my heart said Brazil.
In another just as provoking letter, Álvarez replies:
Mi fanatismo por Argentina llegó a niveles paroxísticos en Sudáfrica. También, déjame aclarar, la bolsa de valores del nacionalismo había caído mucho (…)
Hoy, cuatro años después, la debacle de Sudáfrica ya se explica con facilidad. Ninguno de los mesías –y Argentina parece bastante mesiánica, más que nosotros, incluso- quería ganar demasiado. Maradona, como todo héroe, en un momento dado disimuló su falta de método con improvisación, con arengas. Quiso avanzar a corazonada, pero Alemania no cree en boludeces de ese tipo. Alguien como Maradona no se podía permitir la debilidad de reconocer que no sabía. Dijo que Messi era el más grande (Messi es mejor que Maradona, pero no más grande, que conste), que merecía un Mundial, pero nunca fue su Bilardo, porque un Maradona no tiene sangre para ser Bilardo. Sabella sí, que sacrificó a Tévez, porque puede traer ruido, y yo lo entiendo. Lo que me resulta incomprensible, como a tres cuartos de humanidad, es la ausencia de Willy Caballero.
My fanaticism for Argentina got to paroxysmal levels in South Africa. But, let me explain myself, the national stock exchange had plummeted (…)
Now, four years later, the South African debacle can be explained with ease. None of the Messiahs- and Argentina seems quite messianic, more than we are, and fact be- they really wanted that victory. Maradona, like the big hero he is, at any given moment disguised his lack of skills by improvising, and rallied. He had a gut feeling about advancing forward, but Germany doesn't believe in that kind of bullshit. Someone like Maradona didn't allow himself to be weak enough to admit that he didn't know something. He said Messi was the bigger player (and for the record, Messi is better than Maradona, but not bigger), that he deserved the Cup, but he was never a Bilardo to him, Mardona doesn't have it in him to be someone like Bilardo. Sabellla does, who sacrificed Tévez, now that's a big deal, and I get it. What I find incomprehensible, as does three fourths of mankind, is Willy Caballero's absence.
In regards to the very controversial Brazil vs. Croatia game, Morales stressed:
¿Qué no fue el Brasil categórico y divertido que su torcida espera? Correcto… ¿Qué el japonés Yuichi Nishimura se tragó el tupe de Fred y lo bajó con caipirinha? Sin dudas… ¿Qué el autogol de Marcelo fue una torpeza digna de un novato? Y peor…
Pero de ahí a insinuar siquiera que Brasil no fue mejor que Croacia, que no mereció esa victoria por encima de sus falencias, que el penal fantasma definió el partido… Eso, me vas a disculpar, más que objetividad es roña a la Canarinha…
De entrada, Neymar le aceptó el reto a Maradona, lanzado urbi et orbi en su show De Zurda, y tomó la batuta brasilera para ser un 10 en toda su magnitud, creativo y a su vez abastecido por un Oscar que coronó con un gol incontestable toda una tarde de un fútbol superior al planteado por sus homólogos balcánicos. Si somos sinceros, ese gol debería bastar para silenciar las suspicacias que generaron el autogol y el piscinazo.
Pero entonces esto no sería fútbol ni nosotros latinoamericanos…
Was Brazil not outright entertaining in it's twisted outcome? Correct… Did Japanese Yuichi Nishimura beleive Fred's performance and topped it off by chugging a caipirinha? without a doubt… That Marcelo's own goal was a rookie's mere clumsiness? And worst of all…
But to even insinuate that Brazil was not better than Croatia, that they didn't deserve that victory on top of it's shortcomings, that the penalty kick was what defined the game… That, forgive me, more than plain objectivity is an insult to the canarinhas (yellow shirts).
From the start, Neymar took on Maradona's challenge which was aired urbi et orbi on his sports show “De Zurda”, he took the lead in all his glory, got a ten out of ten, put on a show and got an Oscar, which he then topped off by scoring and playing a far more superior game, that could not be counter scored by the opposing Balkan players that evening. Let's be honest, that goal should have been enough to silence the mistrust generated by the own goal and theatrical dive.
But this wouldn't be fútbol if we Latin Americans didn't …
Nevertheless, Alvarez’ last letter, titled “Assumptions” was removed from the Cubahora site. In an article published in OnCuba, the author narrates:
Durante tres cartas me mantuve al aire. A la tercera, me censuraron, alegando no se qué razón típica de los medios cubanos, que no alcancé a oír, o que si oí, olvidé, por el bien de mi salud y la de mi familia. Al pinchar el enlace original de la carta titulada Suposiciones, un cartel anuncia: “¡Oops! Lo sentimos, página no encontrada…”. No tiene caso insistir. Yo seguiré creyendo, a excepción de algunas individualidades, que los medios cubanos son puro y duro panfleto, y que permanecen a años luz de algo parecido al periodismo.
I was online for three letters. The third one was censured, arguing some sort of typical Cuban media reason, that I didn't quite hear, or if I did hear it, I chose to forget, for my own good and the good of my family. When clicking on the original link to the letter titled assumptions, you get a “oops! sorry, page not found….” No point dwelling on it. I will go on believing, with the exception of some cases, that Cuban media is pure and simply put, pamphlets, and it remains light years from journalism.
In an editorial published this Thursday, Cubahora explains to its users the reason why the letter was removed.
Todo marchaba perfectamente bien, pero en la tercera misiva de uno de los autores, titulada “Suposiciones”, el equipo editorial detectó frases irrespetuosas y poco argumentadas, lo que resulta incompatible con la ética que debe primar en el Periodismo. Decía la carta en referencia al futbolista Diego Armando Maradona: “Burdamente, ha politizado De zurda. A veces Víctor Hugo Morales, con pena, trata de encauzar el programa, de sacarlo de esos pantanos: la izquierda que no propone nada y que lo único que sabe hacer es quejarse, no para arreglar, sino para alimentar su supuesto prestigio”. Posteriormente podía leerse: “El problema lexical de Héctor Villar no es la cocaína. Es la falta congénita de neuronas. Se cumple con él un estereotipo. Bonito de poca materia gris”.
En nuestro perfil editorial se plantea: “los trabajos publicados deben mostrar la utilización de un lenguaje claro, ideas precisas, sin exceso de adjetivos, palabras redundantes o afirmaciones no basadas en evidencias”.  En virtud de ello, pedimos al autor valorar apenas estas ideas, sobre la base del necesario respeto.
El autor no aceptó la solicitud de la revista, lo cual respetamos, por supuesto, pero también debimos asumir el deber y derecho que le asiste a Cubahora de no publicar aquello que no estuviera en consonancia con sus principios editoriales declarados.
Everything was going perfectly fine, but in one of the authors’ third letter, titled “Assumptions,” the editorial team found phrases that were disrespectful and poorly presented, which is not compatible with the ethical standards of Journalism. The letter spoke in regards to Diego Armando Maradona: “Crudely, he has politicized De zurda. Sometimes, Victor Hugo Morales, will shamefully, try to get the program back on track, trying to get it out of that mess; the left side doesn't propose anything, and complaining is the only thing he knows how to do, not to fix things, but to feed his supposed prestige.Subsequently one could read: “Héctor Villar's lexical problem is not cocaine. It is his congenital lack of neurons. He is the typical stereotype. Good-looking, but not much to him.”
In our editorial profile we propose: “Our published work should use clear language, specific ideas, without excessive adjectives, redundant words or affirmations without evidence.” According to this, we ask the author to comply with this request, based on a matter of respect.
The author did not accept the magazine's request, which we respect of course, but we also assume the responsibility and right to not publish anything on Cubahora which is not compliant with the stated editorial principles.
For the moment, the letters will still be published in the magazine OnCuba. Charly Morales’ last entry, “Curado de Espanto” (I'm over it) delivers a controversial question:
Y hablando de que cualquier cosa es posible… ¿Te imaginas a Costa Rica ganando el Mundial? Yo, sinceramente, estoy curado de espanto y nada me sorprende ya.
So, if anything's possible… What if Costa Rica won the World Cup? Honestly, I'm over it and nothing surprises me anymore.

author: Elaine Díaz


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Want to Do Some ‘Timepass’ (Kill Some Time)? Spice Up Your Vocabulary With #IndianEnglish · Global Voices
Rezwan

Image from Flickr by user AK. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
When the Twitter hashtag #IndianEnglish began trending late last month, the resulting flood of tweets from Indians sharing humorous examples of their country's unique spin on the English language was good for more than just a chuckle (though, there are certainly many chuckles to be had scrolling through the timeline).
It also offered a glimpse of an India that is today quite unapologetic and unabashed about not speaking the Queen's English. An increasing number of Indians aspire to speak and be understood in English, but have neither the patience nor the training to imbibe the nuances of either British or American English. Instead, they are happily making their own rules.
Lol to the #indianenglish trend. People are actually spitting out the truth ie. what they actually use in their daily life.
— Singha (@ishwinderjit) June 26, 2014
Love it, hate it or ridicule it, the importance of Indian English cannot be denied. India comes in second by number of English speaks, with 125 million behind the United States’ 298 million, and that number is expected to grow. Even if ‘English-educated’ Indian elite turn up their noses at so-called Indianisms, Indian English continues to gain popular acceptance and momentum. Some words have even managed to worm their way into that hallowed book, the Oxford English Dictionary, such as badmash (which could mean anything from naughty to scoundrel) and prepone (the opposite of postpone).
In fact, since the days of British rule, India has contributed many words and phrases to the English language, like shampoo, juggernaut, guru and pariah. Today, the tables have turned — instead of just introducing Indian words into English, Indians are creating English words and phrases of their own.
Poster seen inside a bus in Hyderabad, India – an #IndianEnglish mutation of Thank You, where ‘Q’ basically takes a part of the K from Thank and happily adds it to You  . Image by Aparna Ray
The hashtag #IndianEnglish curated many examples of these, such as a distinctly Indian way of describing when someone whiles away his or her time:
“I'm doing timepass” #IndianEnglish
— Yussir (@Ojasism) June 26, 2014
This expression meaning hopeless or beyond help might require an explanation when used in a non-Indian setting, tweeted blogger and podcaster Kamla Bhatt:
Gone case. Used that in a sentence last week & had to explain to my American companions what it meant :-) #indianenglish
— Kamla Bhatt (@kamla) May 16, 2013
Some Indians pepper their English with words from other languages, such as in the tweet below, where the Hindi word तो replaces its English equivalent of ‘indeed':
I am तो very happy ;) #IndianEnglish
— ⚽Paglu Piggu⚽ (@PagluPiggu) June 26, 2014
Others directly translate a sentence structure from another language. This sentence in Hindi (जब दो बड़े बात कर रहे हों, तो बच्चों को बीच में मुंह नहीं खोलना चाहिए) in English becomes:
Small childrens shouldn't open their mouths in the middle when two elder people are talking #indianenglish
— Indian औरत (@Nakhrewalii) June 26, 2014
Some other common examples of thinking in Hindi (or even Bengali) when speaking in English can be seen during introductions. In India, people often have two names: a nickname (or pet-name as it is sometimes affectionately referred to) generally used by family and friends to address the person, and a formal name (also referred to as the ‘good’ name) used for official purposes and by acquaintances.
So the Hindi phrase (आपके शुभ नाम क्या है?) or the Bengali (আপনার ভাল নাম কি?) becomes the following in English:
What is your good name? #IndianEnglish
— Pratik Chavda (@StorageSE) June 28, 2014
Just like English speakers elsewhere in the world, the disconnect between a word's pronunciation and its spelling can lead to some comical mistakes in India. Photos posted on Twitter showed billboards, signs and other printed material from across the country:
‘Have a phosphorus new year’ and the hilarious best of #IndianEnglish jokes from Twitter http://t.co/aHHaPhiPRi pic.twitter.com/VDB685RzlP
— IBNLive Buzz (@IBNLiveBuzz) June 27, 2014
Why letters reach late. #IndianEnglish pic.twitter.com/1HN0daw80d
— Soumyadip Choudhury (@soumyadip) June 27, 2014
#IndianEnglish pic.twitter.com/yFYW04hGV1
— Don (@Juuism) June 26, 2014
On Facebook, Bharat Pathiabadi took a tongue-in-cheek view of Indian English. “The raison de etre for Indian English: The British messed with our motherland, we mess up their mother tongue,” he wrote.
Not everyone was a fan of the hashtag, however. Some thought it showed Indians in poor light. “You guys are purposefully making fun of people who speak in #IndianEnglish,” self-described SAP software whiz @Ace_Of_Pace observed.
Cocking a snook at all the language puritans out there, the unapologetic irreverence of the #IndianEnglish speaking masses can be best summed up in this humour-laden post by blogger Gauri a.k.a ‘litterateuse‘. She openly and confidently declares in Indian English, we are who we are:
No apologies, we’re Indian – and so is our English. What to do? We are like that only!

author: Rezwan


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No More Free Petrol in Turkmenistan · Global Voices
Farida Yoony

There aren't many benefits to living in an energy-rich dictatorship like Turkmenistan, but free energy rationing happens to be one of them.
Yet President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, or Arkadag (The Protector), has tweaked the Turkmen social contract by ordering the abolishment of free monthly petrol handouts to private car and motorcycle owners starting July 1. The presidential decree was issued back on April 30.
Pump hands at a Turkmenistani Gas station. Photo taken from RFE/RL
Berdymuhamedov himself initially introduced the handouts – 120 litres per person per month – in 2008, but is now keen to “ensure the sustainable development of the national economy, as well as the rational use and distribution of fuels.”
Over on RFE/RL's Turkmen service, Azathabar, the decision resulted in a mixed response:
Merdan commented [tkm]:
What have people done to deserve this? The President claims (THE STATE IS THERE FOR THE PEOPLE). I don't see that the government is there for the people, in fact, officials are doing everything for themselves. Where is justice? It will get worse in the years to come, may ALLAH help us! People are sleeping, they should go and demonstrate their disappointment to Berdymuhamedov.
Kadyr coments [tkm]:
The government is always giving us a hard time, but in this issue I think that equal conditions were made for all, since the free petrol was only given to those who had cars. I myself have a car. What I am disappointed in is the fact that our petrol stations steal 2 liters from every 10 liters of petrol you put in your car. That is what we should be complaining about.
Despite Berdymuhamedov's petrol u-turn, Turkmens still consume gas, electricity and water free of charge, part of what Berdymuhamedov's erratic predecessor Sapurmurat “Turkmenbashi” Niyazov referred to as the Golden Age of Turkmenistan.
Given the country's progress towards a free media, political pluralism and adherence to human rights norms has been stunted to put it mildly, these core privileges represent an important comfort for Turkmen citizens.
In terms of gas, at least, the state can afford to continue being generous. Only Quatar has more cubic metres of natural gas per capita than Turkmenistan, rated the fourth gas-richest country in the world based on proven reserves.

author: Farida Yoony


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A Singer Called Her Home Country Guyana ‘Poor’ on American TV. Should the Guyanese People Be Upset? · Global Voices
Matthew Hunte

Screenshot of Lisa Punch performing on the ABC show “Rising Star” via YouTube.
Singer Lisa Punch‘s success on the ABC show “Rising Star” has not gone unnoticed in her native Guyana. Punch, who recently migrated to the United States with her family, qualified for the second round of the competition after viewers voted for her rendition of Whitney Houston's “How Will I Know” during the premiere episode.
Punch recorded several songs back in Guyana before leaving, and Guyanese have cheered her on from afar. But after she called Guyana “poor” during an interview with the show's judges, some Guyanese have also criticized her on social media for not presenting the country's best face to the world.
The singer told the judges, “Guyana is a very beautiful country, and it’s also a poor country. The reason we moved to America is because our grandmother wanted a better life for us.”
Guyana, which sits on the northern coast of South America, is indeed home to a beautiful landscape, including tropical rainforests and spectacular waterfalls. The small country struggles with poverty, however, and many of its skilled workers leave to find employment elsewhere.
In light of the flak, others came out in Punch's defense. Andrew Kendall analyzed the burden being placed on Punch by her countrymen and women in the online publication “Insight”:
As Guyana loses its talented youths to greener pastures because of less than ideal planting ground for some aspects of the arts, are those artists bound to take Guyana’s hopes of being a tourist destination into mind and represent it in a way – sometimes with prevarication – that makes it seem an idyllic paradise? Or as artists do we allow them to share their truth despite how far from the ideal it may be?
Lisa Punch has always been praised for her sincerity and authenticity and one wonders how sincere it would have been for her to pretend her journey to Rising Star had been one without incident. Would we have even liked her more then? As an artist, she can do little else but carve a space for herself in the world by telling her own, personal story.
Videoblogger Anndis Fraser said that Lisa Punch was just being true to reality:
Writer and cultural activist Ruel Johnson praised Punch for persevering through difficult circumstances. “What got her to where she is today is sheer hard work, incredible individual talent, unstinting support from her mother and friends, and belief in her own ability to make it,” he wrote. “Instead of decrying her on the basis of some bullshit, delusional positive patriotism, we should be thanking her for acknowledging us at all when this place as a community of people and laws did nothing special for her.”
On Facebook, engineer Clayton Ashford Davenport Lambert saw nothing wrong with what Punch said. “Guyana is a damm [sic] poor country. We may be rich in resources but because of poor governance we live in poverty and a lot of Guyanese leave for betterment,” he wrote.
Support for Punch and excitement about her appearance on the TV competition was strong on Twitter:
Lisa punch on every channel in #Guyana
— IG:Kareem_kjd (@KrizzyJay) June 25, 2014
I'm proud of you lisa punch just keep being lisa Guyana is with you girl you make us scream shout cry but mostly proud we love you — wynette moses (@moses226) June 24, 2014
@LisaPunch Good luck tonight girl. We're all over Guyana supporting you. The World will know Lisa Punch Let's Go #TeamPunch
— Cowenzilla™ (@The_Cowen) junio 23, 2014
Guyanese artist in Brooklyn Abdullaw felt Punch was just stating the obvious:
I spend most of the day defending Lisa punch. Guyana is a poor country and somehow I can't that #Tellitlikeitis. No punch intended
— ABDULLAW (@ABDULLAW) junio 23, 2014
Guyanese singer Jackie Hanover pointed out a great irony of some of Punch's critics:
Some of yall talking down Lisa Punch for sayin Guyana poor and yall thiefing wifi to update those statuses…but… http://t.co/QF4EEfqhay
— Jackie Hanover (@JackieHanover) junio 23, 2014
In the end, it seems Punch has more fans than detractors — even President of Guyana Donald Ramoutar wrote on Facebook that Guyana is proud of her. However, some will still likely place “the burden of representation” on her as she advances in the competition. The next episode of “Rising Stars” will be on broadcast on ABC on Sunday, July 6 at 9:00 ET.

author: Matthew Hunte


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The Perils of the Lunar Putin · Global Voices
Kevin Rothrock

The Lunar Putin, a literal interpretation. Images mixed by author.
Years ago, when I was a graduate student at UC Berkeley, I attended a roundtable discussion held on campus about the legacy of Stalinism. Like most things at Berkeley, the event was open to the public. After introductions and some brief remarks, audience members were invited to ask questions. Spilling binder papers as he stood, one odd-looking man hurried to ask the first question. Except, his wasn’t a question so much as a theory. “What if,” the man began, “all the Terror and all the Famine weren’t the work of the Real Stalin, but an imposter? An Evil Stalin!” For the next several minutes, despite the moderator’s best efforts to move on, the room learned about this stranger’s belief that a second Stalin is to blame for all the crimes of Communism.
You might laugh. In many ways, after all, the Theory of the Two Stalins is just some Californian’s bizarre way of understanding one of history’s bloodiest tyrants. That fellow in Berkeley, however, isn’t alone. One of Russia’s most prominent scholars subscribes to a similar hypothesis: the Theory of the Two Putins.
Alexandr Dugin is a political scientist at Moscow State University (MGU) and a conservative ideologue. He advocates creating a Eurasian empire to counter the influence of the United States, and he has accordingly—and vociferously—supported the rebels in eastern Ukraine fighting against the government in Kiev.
Last week, Dugin announced that MGU had fired him from his job in the school’s sociology department because of his political position on the Ukraine crisis. Indeed, in May following a deadly fire in Odessa, Dugin said in an interview, “Kill. Kill. Kill. There shouldn’t be anything more to say [about what to do in Ukraine]. That’s my view as a professor.” The remarks upset many, including the more than 11 thousand people who have signed a change.org petition calling for Dugin’s dismissal.
Strangely, Moscow State University denies that it has fired Dugin, whose name is still listed online in the sociology department’s faculty. Dugin, however, insists that he has indeed lost his job. And, as of this morning, he says he knows whom to blame: the Lunar Putin.
Alexandr Dugin, Democratic-republicans.us.
Unlike the Evil Stalin, the Lunar Putin is not literally an imposter, but the President’s dark side—the opposite of the good “Solar Putin.” Dugin believes the Lunar version is responsible for Putin’s occasional failures to lead Russia in the right direction. In his 2012 book, “Putin versus Putin,” Dugin explored these two sides in some depth, before ever coining the “lunar/solar” terminology.
Он стал преемником по сговору ельцинских элит и благодаря эффективной информационной кампании. Теоретически он мог править, проводя совсем иную линию—никто не мог бы его одернуть за рукав в силу авторитарного характера российской политики. Его предшественники Горбачев и Ельцин спокойно разрушали Россию кирпич за кирпичом, и им все сошло с рук. Один спокойно умер в своей постели, другой до сих пор рекламирует пиццу и Vuitton.
Путин нам вначале был навязан, но стал по-настоящему популярным и народным, так как принялся делать то, что должен был делать болеющий за свой народ и свою страну совестливый и волевой русский человек. Итак, исходя из логики шести подвигов, Путин правил правильно, и мы его за дело поддерживали.
[Putin] became the successor [to the Kremlin] by way of the Yeltsin elite’s conspiracy and thanks to an effective information campaign. Theoretically, he could have ruled entirely differently. Nobody could have even tugged at his sleeve, thanks to Russian politics’ authoritarian nature. His predecessors, Gorbachev and Yeltsin, quietly dismantled Russia brick-by-brick, and they got away with it. One died peacefully in his bed, and the other to this day is advertising pizza and Louis Vuitton.
Putin was imposed on us at first, but he became truly popular when he decided to do for his country what a conscientious and strong-willed Russian person should do. And so, based on the logic of six great achievements, Putin ruled justly, and we supported him for it.
Putin’s great feats, according to Dugin, satisfy a Eurasianist honey-do-list—an inventory of what is necessary to build a new empire that would stand against the West. At crucial moments, however, Dugin’s hero has stopped short or backtracked.
На этом кончается идиллия, и начинается вторая графа баланса. Убытки и недостатки.
[…] Самым главным, впрочем, был седьмой подвиг. Он заключался в том, чтобы довести первые шесть подвигов до логического конца. Это значит: накрепко геополитически и идеологически привязать Кавказ к России; создать имперскую систему сочетания стратегического централизма с демократическим самоуправлением на низовом уровне; проводить во внешней политики независимый и результативный курс; разработать национальную идеологию; завершить чистку олигархата и остановить коррупцию; приступить к созданию сверхнациональных политических образований на пространстве СНГ (союзное Российско-Белорусское государство, Таможенный союз, «Евразийский союз» и т.д.).
На этом седьмом подвиге Путин споткнулся […]. Довести шесть первых шагов до логического конца, до точки необратимости Путин не смог, не сумел или… не захотел?
The peace and harmony ends here, and the second balance column begins. [Putin’s] disadvantages and shortcomings.
[…] The most important, it must be said, was [Putin’s] seventh achievement. It was necessary to bring the first six achievements to their logical conclusion. This means [1] firmly tying the Caucasus to Russia geopolitically and ideologically, [2] creating an imperial system that combines strategic centralism with democratic self-rule at a low level, [3] putting foreign policy on an independent and effective course, [4] developing a national ideology, [5] completing the purge of the oligarchy, [6] stopping corruption, and [7] launching the creation of supranational political entities within the Commonwealth of Independent States (a united Russian-Belorussian state, a Customs Union, a “Eurasian Union,” and so on).
Putin stumbled on this seventh achievement […]. Putin wasn’t able to take the first six steps to their logical end, past the point of no return. He wasn’t able to do it … or maybe he didn’t want to?
These seeds of doubt about the President have blossomed in Dugin’s mind into his ideas today about the Lunar Putin. Writing on Vkontakte, where he has over 9 thousand followers, Dugin has cataloged the drama of his apparent dismissal. Last weekend, Dugin said he planned to confront the university's rector, Viktor Sadovnichiy, to find out who in the government approved firing him. (Probably correctly, Dugin believes that such an act would have required the consent of high-ranking officials.) Reluctant at first to blame Putin, Dugin said he had “certain information” pinning responsibility on his enemies within the Kremlin, a group he calls the “Sixth Column.”
Today, however, Dugin confirmed that Putin himself gave the order. “Now this is a bad sign indeed,” Dugin wrote online. “It’s the Lunar Putin—there’s no other way to explain it.”

author: Kevin Rothrock


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Sexual Abuse of Children in Tourism in Southeast Asia · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The Project Childhood Prevention Pillar, an initiative of the Australian government, has released a study about the prevalence of sexual abuse of children in the Southeast Asian region. It cited social factors such as “poverty and marginalisation, as well as lack of family support, education, opportunity, and protective factors” for the continuing harm done to children. It also identified how travel and tourism “comprised another risk factor contributing to children’s vulnerability.” The study covered Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

author: Mong Palatino


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Solidarity from Ankara for Alexander Sodiqov’s Release  · Global Voices
Chris Rickleton

This post is part of our campaign #FreeAlexSodiqov: GV Author Detained in Tajikistan.
Messages of support continue to pour in for Alexander Sodiqov, the Global Voices community member wrongfully detained by local authorities in Khorog, Tajikistan on June 16, while carrying out academic research. Global Voices is grateful to Dr. Marc Herzog and the Ankara Segmenler Forumu who contacted us via email today with the following message of support:
Attached are solidarity pictures for the release of Alexander Sodiqov from the Ankara Segmenler Forumu (a local neighborhood assembly in Ankara which meets every week). I talked about Alexander Sodiqov's detention and we took a group foto with ‘#FreeAlexSodiqov’ poster and I also encouraged people to sign the online petition and gave out print-offs from AI's information. I hope it helps perhaps to indicate the global nature of solidarity with Alexander's case and [pressure] for his immediate release.
Best from Ankara,
Marc Herzog
Ankara Seğmenler Forum shows support for Alex Sodiqov (Seğmenler Forum)
To find out how you can help visit our campaign #FreeAlexSodiqov: GV Author Detained in Tajikistan.

author: Chris Rickleton


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‘The Tajik Government Has Made an Honest Mistake’: Scholars in Washington DC Discuss Alexander Sodiqov’s Detention (+Audio) · Global Voices
Chris Rickleton

Scholars meet to discuss Alexander Sodiqov's detention at the George Washinton University. The event was hosted by the George Elliot School of International Affairs (Photo by GWU)
This post is part of our campaign #FreeAlexSodiqov: GV Author Detained in Tajikistan.
Alexander Sodiqov, an academic and Global Voices community member, was wrongfully arrested whilst conducting research in Tajikistan on June 16. Although a PhD student at the University of Toronto at the time of his arrest, Alexander was working for the University of Exeter (U.K.) on an Economic and Social Research Council project focusing on ‘Rising Powers and Conflict Management’.
In response to his arrest, the academic community organised a global campaign for his release. This includes a petition (with almost 3,000 signatures as of June 28), and a series of academic events around the world to discuss the case. Events were held in Canberra, Exeter, Toronto, Paris, Freiburg, Astana, Bishkek, London and Heidelberg. A meeting of solidarity for Alexander was also held by the  Ankara Segmenler Forumu, a Turkish civil society group.
Washington-based academics also hosted an event. Around 30 academics met at the George Washington University in Washington D.C. on June 27 to discuss Sodiqov's case. The discussion centered on the details of his arrest, the context within which a researcher could be accused of “spying” and the implications for research in Central Asia. Thanks to Voice of America's Uzbek service, there is also full audio of speeches made by the event's two main speakers, Marlene Laruelle and Eric McGlinchey, embedded at the bottom of this article. The quotes below are abridged from that audio.
As with the other events connected to Alexander Sodiqov, the meeting was titled ‘Researchers at Risk in Central Asia: The Detention of Alexander Sodiqov’.
Dr Marlene Laruelle. Photo taken from elliott.gwu.edu.
Dr. Marlene Laruelle of the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University: I wanted to say one important thing in particular: The Central Eurasian Studies Field is now very much developed as a field of study thanks to a network of young scholars coming from Central Asia and working in North America and Europe. They are the living part of the future of Central Asian studies globally. If the future of Central Asian studies is to have a large number of scholars that are passport holders from the region, and if those scholars are put at risk for doing their job it will drastically change the way we get information from the region and the way we train our scholars.
This is part of a global context. In June this year Russia passed a law criminalizing non-declaration of U.S. citizenship among Russian passport holders. This is creating a general atmosphere in Russia and elsewhere in the region.There is this now this narrative of expatriates being part of a fifth column. Alexander was able to be arrested because he is a Tajik citizen, albeit working in Toronto and carrying out research in Tajikistan on a British grant. This is a legal gap the Tajik government is using to have a negative impact on the knowledge we are getting out of Central Asia. Now in the future, we have to be really concerned about sending researchers from Central Asia to do research there because we may be putting them at risk.
Dr Eric McGlinchey. Photo taken from mason.gmu.edu
Dr. Eric McGlinchey of George Mason University: I think the Tajik government has made an honest mistake. Firstly Alexander is not a spy. John Heathershaw, the Principle Investigator on the project Alexander was working on has been nothing but transparent in conveying the nature of the project to the Tajik government. He has released all the documents related to the project both to the Tajik press and the international community. There is no question of what Alexander was doing in Khorog. John and I had a lunch in Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan] a week before Alexander was detained with various Kyrgyz and international colleagues and John was telling us all about the research. If one were engaging in espionage activities, it would be very strange if one were to telegraph those activities in front of an international audience. Nothing is being hidden here.As I have said, I think this is an honest mistake on the part of the Tajik government. How could such an honest mistake occur? I think it is the classic mistake of confusing causation and correlation. Some bad things happened in GBAO [the anonymous region of Tajikistan where Sodiqov was arrested] not long before Alexander arrived. Some bad things happened in GBAO two years before Alexander arrived. Some bad things happened in the Rasht Valley [also eastern Tajikistan] four years before Alexander arrived. So there are a lot of things happening in Tajikistan that from the point of view of the Tajik government, are very unsettling. The Tajik state has a lot to worry about in this region and the Tajik state is on edge. This is the classic kind of situation where people can make honest mistakes. So what I think happened here, is that a very savvy, charismatic, talented Tajik researcher, who happens to speak fluent English, came to Khorog to do research, and this was unusual. And unusual things gather attention. And as a result, the situation we see unfolded – the Tajik government came away with a mistaken interpretation of what he has been doing. This is not something the U.S. government is unfamiliar with. For the last couple of years I have been working on a case related to Ravil Mingaza, who is currently in Guantanamo. I am completely convinced Mingaza is in Guantanamo because the U.S. government has arrived at a mistaken interpretation of what he has been doing. So, the Tajik government can make mistakes, the U.S. government can make mistakes and I am actually paradoxically optimistic about this situation, because I think it is an opportunity for the Tajik government to show that due process works in Tajikistan. You can have a fair investigation, which will reveal what we already know to be true – that Alexander isn't a spy – and he will be released in due course. By doing this the Tajik government will demonstrate, both to civil society and the international community that its system works.
You can also listen to their conversation here: [if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');</script><![endif]
To find out how you can help visit our campaign #FreeAlexSodiqov: GV Author Detained in Tajikistan.


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Need a Passport in Trinidad and Tobago? Thanks to a Labour Fracas, You Can’t Have One  · Global Voices
Jason Nathu

Photo of the San Fernando passport office posted on the Facebook discussion group BREAKING NEWS T&T.
Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are now unable to renew expired and expiring passports or apply for new ones to leave the country, thanks to an ongoing row between the government and a trade union for public employees.
Since April 2014, walkouts organized by the Public Services Association crippled the country's immigration services, resulting in a total collapse of the passport offices. On 26 June, 2014, the office producing passports was closed indefinitely, grinding the system to a halt. The association says the working conditions are too poor for employees.
Inaction by the government has fueled public frustration over the shutdown of what is widely considered to be an essential service. Many have been forced to cancel flights, paying hefty penalties to airlines in the process, because they are unable to obtain a passport. People requiring medical treatment abroad have also been affected.
On social media, affected citizens have been sounding off on the issue. Ava Camille posted in the Facebook discussion group ‘Breaking News T&T’ that she found the gates at the passport office in San Fernando locked. She said she applied five weeks ago for a renewal, and her passport is now expired:
why can't our renewed pports be sent to open offices to be collected? …. don't be suffering people like this… folks have planned their vacations, booked hotels etc… and either have to postpone or cancel. Either way costing us hard earned $$$$.
Others commented on the government's deafening silence on the crisis and the possible effect the passport crisis could have on next year's elections. Patsy D'Arcy noted:
Same with Land and Building office POS, for weeks now,And this government want a second Term? They are all living in La La Land.Or too busy doing other things?
Public Services Association President Watson Duke has defended the walkouts as necessary to get the government's attention. “We have been suffering for too long in the worst conditions in the work and asked to produce the best. We are tired of subsidising the cost of labour in this country for the Government and for the employer”, he told Trinidad Express Newspapers.
On Facebook, Christopher Mohammed sympathized with the trade union: “People have to understand if [you were] working in those conditions [you] all would have fle[d] the same way.”
But a large amount of public anger has fallen on the union. Like many others, Bridget Andrews accused Duke of ‘holding the country random':
Why is Watson Duke being allowed to hold the country to ransom, he is now threatening to close down the airport. He feels he is the most powerful person in Trinidad (apart from Ancil Roget!!!) Why not move the Immigration Office to that empty building on Tragarete Road which is unoccupied and costing millions in rent.
Sian Faye also questioned why relocation was not contemplated:
Can't they set up elsewhere temporarily if they really hav issues which may result in imminent danger? We don't kno the power we hold….i hope their salaries are also suspended until further notice…..
Some have defended the government and remain hopeful that politicians will intervene, like San Dy: “I am sure there is not always an easy solution to our problems. Some problems require more delicate attention and strategic care in order to be rid off permanently.”
Netizens have also taken to Twitter to express their disgust and frustration at the situation:
If there’s anyone in Trinidad right now with ability to fix this ridiculous and damaging passport situation, please get on that. Seriously.
— stacy-marie ishmael (@s_m_i) June 27, 2014
@jasonnPOS don't forget about nationals outside of Trinidad and tobago!
— kai a. barratt (@cutedougla17) July 1, 2014
With the annual summer school vacation beginning on 5 July, 2014, in Trinidad and Tobago, citizens are waiting in hope for a resolution to this emergency.

author: Jason Nathu


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Architect Santiago Calatrava Attempts but Fails to Censor Site That Highlights His Blunders · Global Voices
Lourdes Sada

Homepage calatravanonoscalla.com
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, based in Switzerland, is committed to censoring websites that focus on his failed projects. Just a few days ago, a judge rejected his request to close calatravanonoscalla.com, a compilation of many of the architect's professional blunders carried out, for the most part, with public funds.
It all began when the group Esquerra Unida de Valencia (EUPV–United Left Party of Valencia) created calatravatelaclava.com [calatravanailsyou.com), subtitled «Santiago Calatrava – Failed Projects and invoices without VAT» describing various of the architect's designs located in the Valencian Community which have ended up in technical or financial disaster.
Trabajos para eliminar el trencadís del Palacio de las Artes de Valencia. Foto subida a Twitter por Rita Hanna Barbera
For instance, one of the most well-known cases of Calatrava's fiascos is the Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía, for which the final cost was four times it's initial budget. In late 2013, the trencadis that covered the palace's structure began to detach itself, forcing the Valencian government to completely take it down to avoid any accidents. The total cost of these projects is estimated at about three million euros.
In late January 2014, Calatrava filed a claim against EUPV, alleging that said group «with evident bad faith, has involved Calatrava in a political contention, and for that matter, has managed to bring shame to his good name and professional reputation via the internet and other forms of media.»The architect was demanding 600,000 Euros in damages, as well as the shut down of the website.
As often happens in such cases, Calatrava's fight set off a Streisand effect, generating more than 95,000 hits and half a million visits during the following 24 hours after the claim. Furthermore, #calatravatelaclava, which had already been a world wide trending topic, once again became highly talked about on Twitter:
… y encima demanda “por daños a su honor” http://t.co/ZqDVFiYTRZ #CalatravatelaClava, más que cierre, difusión! http://t.co/NZgAIJG9r9
— Alejandro Lopez (@response_inc) January 30, 2014
…and on top of it he is claiming “for damage to his honor” http://t.co/ZqDVFiYTRZ #CalatravatelaClava, instead of shutting it down, diffuse it!
¿Un país donde los delincuentes persiguen a los que les denuncian? Mmmm… déjame pensar. #calatravatelaclava http://t.co/0haFmUGIe4
— Pedro Cañizal (@Pedro_Canizal) January 29, 2014
A country where the delinquents go after the people who are suing them? Hmmm.. let me think about that.#calatravatelaclava http://t.co/0haFmUGIe4
#CalatravaTeLaClava versión clicks de Playmobil http://t.co/SmYNkNmYSQ
— Vicente Juan (@vicentejuan) February 5, 2014
Playmobil version of #CalatravaTeLaClava http://t.co/SmYNkNmYSQ
Even though the prosecutor herself asked that the case be dismissed, the proceedings were carried out on May 15 2014, with a sentence imposing that EUPV compensate the architect 30,000 euros and shut down calatravatelaclava.com. According with said sentence.
Todo ese conjunto de noticias que se publican en la página web, (…) que si bien puede decirse que en su casi totalidad resultan poco favorables a la labor profesional del arquitecto (…) entendemos estarían, sin embargo, dentro de los límites de la crítica como reflejo o uso del derecho también fundamental de la Libertad de Expresión o/e Información. (…)
(…)  [la expresión «te la clava»] infringe el derecho al honor del Sr. Calatrava con el título de la página y este título es el primer contacto y quizas el único que se transmite al usuario de las redes sociales y de Internet. (…)
All of the news published on the web page, (…) one could say, in its entirety are unfavorable, in regards to the architect's professional work, (…) it is understood that, however, within the limits of the critics as reflection or use of the fundamental rights of the Freedom of expression and/or information. (…)
(…) [the expression «te la clava» or «he screws you»] the title of the page infringes upon the right to bring honor to Calavatra's name, and that title is people's first form of contact and perhaps the only thing that is transmitted through social media and the internet (…)
Bodegas Ysios, another one of Calatrava's buildings with major roofing issues. Photograph shared on Wikimedia Commons by ecemaml
As required by the sentence, EUPV closed the website and transferred all of it's contents to another website: calatravanonoscalla.com (calatravawillnotshutusup.com), a «clone» of the previous website, with a different name that does not attack the architect's honor.
Calatrava's legal representatives requested an amendment to the May 15th sentence, claiming that «EUPV be banned from degrading or using Santiago Calatrava's first or last name, and to abstain from the use of other internet domains that contain the same or similar insulting remarks of the text in question.» This time, the judge turned down the request, as calatravanonoscalla.com will continue to exist.
The EUPV representative, Ignacio Blanco, has announced that his group has appealed the sentence, which in his own words,
ni le gusta a Calatrava ni nos gusta a nosotros, porque entendemos que en el título no hay ninguna intromisión en su derecho al honor sino un ejercicio legítimo del derecho a la información y a la libertad de expresión: a fin de cuentas, con sus pifias y sobrecostes nos ha estado clavando a todos los valencianos durante 20 años.
Calatrava does not like it and neither do we, we believe that the title does not in anyway invade the right of his honor but is a legitimate exercise to the right of information and the freedom of expression: in the end, his major blunders and additional costs have been screwing all Valencian's during the last 20 years.
Although he is recognized world wide for his historic structures, Calatrava's buildings often present problems that have brought the designers before the courts several times. Some examples are: the Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo, for which he has to compensate almost three million euros, the bodegas Ysios in Alava, requiring him to pay two million euros for damages on the roof of the building, or the puente de la Constitución de Venecia, which almost tripled its original cost, and has had more than 5000 claims due to falls on its slippery glass surface, for which the city council has claimed more than one million euro's from the architect.
Puente de la Constitución, in Venice. Its slippery surface has caused thousands of accidents. Photograph shared on Wikiarquitectura by Map
Calatrava, originally from the Valencia Community, has been residing in Switzerland for many years, where he also transferred his investment funds in 2012. That has not stopped him from considering himself a Spanish «patriot,» nor pocketing millions of euros for public works which he has completed for various local governments and other Spanish groups, mostly governed by the Popular Party, for which he makes no secret of his sympathies. It also does not impede him from being ambassador of  «Marca España,» an honorary title which he still holds today.

author: Lourdes Sada


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Hundreds of Pro-Democracy Protesters Arrested in Hong Kong After Half-a-Million-Strong March · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Hundreds of protesters are surrounded by police in the early morning hours of July 2 on Chater Road in Hong Kong. Photo from inmediahk.net. Non-commercial use.
More than 500 protesters demanding democratic elections free of China's influence were arrested in Hong Kong during a peaceful sit-in in the city's business district.
The sit-in followed a pro-democracy rally of a half a million Hong Kongers on July 1, the anniversary of the handover of former British colony Hong Kong to China in 1997. China has promised Hong Kong a direct vote for the next chief executive in 2017, but insists that a committee approve the candidates. Fearing that China could manipulate the committee to only choose pro-Beijing candidates, protesters demanded that citizens be allowed to nominate the candidates.
July 1 has become a day of protest for universal suffrage, democracy and autonomy from China. The scale of this march was similar to the July 1 rally back in 2003 when the Hong Kong government attempted to pass a set of national security laws that would criminalize seditious speech. The 2003 rally eventually forced the government to withdraw the legislation.
Below is a video made by House News on the eight-hour-long protest this year:
After the rally, student activists continued their protests outside Chief Executive CY Leung's office and on Chater Road, in what were considered rehearsals for the group Occupy Central with Love and Peace, which plans to peacefully take over the city's Central District if the Hong Kong government fails to come up with a political reform proposal free of any pre-selection of chief executive candidates.
Police began arresting protesters on Chater Road at 3 a.m. on July 2 and continued until midday. Those arrested were accused of participating in an illegal assembly and obstructing police officers from performing their duty.
Chow Wing Hong, the chief secretary of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, wrote on his Facebook page (reposted on citizen media platform inmediahk.net) after he was arrested:
清場了。
被押上傳聞中的旅遊巴，有窗簾。
遮打道有不少香港人留守
期望 香港人真的明白，公民抗命 其實並非洪水猛獸。
我們每一個公民也可以參與其中。[…]
梁振英 人民是會怒的
當年青人也要奮起反抗時，必然會撲滅這個政權。
人可以被關押，但我們無法被摧毀！每一代的大學生都有他們的挑戰，而公民抗命爭取公民提名權，抗衡管治白皮書，也是我們這一代大學生必須承擔的巨責。
但香港人，單憑學生不能獨挑重任，願我們所有的香港人，都會在即將到臨的抗命運動，勇敢走出來。你們，才更是香港的希望。
The police took action.
I was forced into a vehicle that looks like a tourist bus, with sealed windows.
Many Hong Kong citizens are still sitting on Chater Road.
I hope more Hong Kong people can understand an act of civil disobedience is not disastrous and every citizen can participate in it. […]
[Current Hong Kong Chief Executive] CY Leung, people are capable of expressing their anger.
When the youth rise to resist, the ruling bloc will eventual step down.
You can detain the people, but we won't be destroyed. The new generation of university students will take up their challenge. This act of civil disobedience is a struggle for the right of citizens to nominate their leaders and resist the White Paper that takes away our right to self-govern. This is the responsibility that this very generation of university students have to bear.
My fellow Hong Kongers, students should not be the only ones to take up the task. Every Hong Konger should step out with courage in the upcoming act of civil disobedience. You are the hope for the future of Hong Kong.
80-year-old Mr. Wong said: “Even if there were guns and cannons, he would be fearless.” Photo from inmediahk.net. Non-commercial use.
Not only young people participated in the rehearsal occupation. Inmediahk.net's citizen reporter interviewed 80-year-old Mr. Wong on Chater Road at 2 a.m.:
八十歲的黃伯是其中一個留守遮打道的抗命者，他表示見到學生的勇敢，使自己「槍炮都不怕」，願意被警察抬走。
80-year-old Mr. Wong is one of the protesters at the sit-in overnight at Chater Road. He said he was touched by the courageous students. Even if there were guns and cannons, he would be fearless. He is waiting for the police to remove him.
While university students occupied Chater Road, secondary school students were sitting outside the chief executive's office. They hung a banner that read “Stay firm on citizen nomination” outside the government building.
The banner says: “Stay firm on citizen nomination”. Photo from inmediahk.net. Non-commercial use.
Joshua Wong (pictured on the right in the above photo), a 17-year-old secondary school student and a core member of student activist group Scholarism, led the movement two years ago against the introduction of national education courses they considered as an attempt to brainwash students in favor of China. He explained on his Facebook page before the rally why he decided to lead the Occupy Central rehearsal:
你可能覺得我太冒進？可能覺得我太進取？但當我們常常聽到v煞的一句：「人民從來不應懼怕政府，只有政府應該懼怕人民。」
我想這不是一句口號 更是一個信念。
但當傳統的途徑不能令梁振英懼怕人民的聲音
我們便需要另尋新路線 嘗試突破框架
七一正是一個大好機會 向當權者響起警號
公民抗命實在是唯勢所迫
除了公民抗命，我想不到其他更有效的方法動搖政權。
負起後果、拘捕、刑責
對17歲的我來說 確實很沉重
但學生站在民主運動的最前線
在公民抗命的路上 我想我們真的責無旁貸。
Maybe you would say that I am too proactive and too radical. We frequently quote from “V for Vendetta”: “People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
For me, this is not just a slogan, but a belief.
We we cannot make [Chief Executive] CY Leung be afraid of the people's voice using conventional methods.
We need to search for a new path and break through the existing framework
July 1 is a good opportunity to send a warning signal to the ruler
We are forced to stage an act of civil disobedience
I cannot think of other ways to shake the government. […]
To bear the consequences of arrest and prosecution
This is a heavy burden for me, a 17 year old
But the students are now standing at the front lines of the democratic movement
We have to shoulder the responsibility of the path of civil disobedience.
The rally was a warning to Beijing authorities that the Hong Kong people will not stay quiet if their demands for democracy go unmet. Will they listen?
Follow our in-depth coverage: Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution

author: Oiwan Lam


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Can a Hug Help Unite Generations? This Indian Campaign Says ‘Yes!’ · Global Voices
Aparna Ray

A HUG Campaign Poster. Image courtesy HelpAge India
For centuries, the joint family tradition in India meant that several generations from grandparents to grandchildren lived under the same roof. With India's rapid development, however, the country's social fabric is changing. More and more Indians are living in smaller family units, and younger people are migrating in search of better opportunities.
This has led to an increasing number of senior citizens being forced to live alone. Many of them face isolation, neglect and loneliness.
One heartwarming campaign is trying to help. HelpAge India‘s HUG – Help Unite Generations encourages India's youth to befriend an elder and share a hug with the hope of building “inter-generational bonding and to increase the empathy of young adults towards elders”.
HelpAge India, a non-governmental organization that works for the cause and care of the elderly, explains on their advocacy page how young people can make a difference:
Whenever you see an elder person sitting all alone, look again! He or she may be in your family or neighborhood or someone you’ve seen many times and is always alone. This person has one need that you can fulfill. With just one word, one smile, one HUG! Just give them a little bit of your time. These are the gestures that an elder seeks but often does not receive. The HUG Campaign encourages you to simply give a call, listen to experiences, ask how the day was and share your stories with your elder friend.
The campaign posted a tear-jerking video showing what sharing a hug might look like:
Indians are living longer, and the number of silver citizens is increasing. According to a 2011 Government of India report [pdf], India's “grey population” (defined as 60 years old and up) is likely to increase its share of the total population from 7.4 percent in 2001 to 10 percent by 2026. In terms of numbers, this is a huge leap — what was an approximate 77 million in 2001 will rise to approximately 140 million by 2026.
Manjira Khurana (@KhuranaManjira), Country Head, Advocacy & Communications at HelpAge India, believes that efforts like this could help sensitize young people to the needs of the elderly. In an email interview with Global Voices, she spoke about her aspirations for the HUG campaign:
An occasional coffee, an outing once in a while and a phone call changes lives. The Elder is happy and the Younger maybe finds that the Elder can be Cool as well! That will maybe influence this youngster to be more sensitive and kinder to elders in his later life.
The HUG campaign asks young adults to also share their experiences and photos. Shreya Misra, a fellow at Teach for India, shared a photo on HelpAge India's Facebook page, which shows her hugging her grandfather.
“I am sharing a hug with my grandfather. Its such a wonderful feeling to see him smile.” Shreya Misra, a Teach for India Fellow. Image from HelpAge India's Facebook page
They say that no man is an island. Certainly, the elderly do not deserve to be marooned on the island of loneliness and abandonment in their silver years. The HUG campaign has given a clarion call to India's youth — in your fast-paced daily life, in your hurry to get somewhere or to get ahead, don't forget the elderly. Tarry a while and include them in your life — share a smile, a story, a hug.
Today, 50 percent of India's population is below 25. Is this young population listening? And more importantly, will they take action now so that the elderly feel cared for, loved and wanted in the sunset years of their lives? I, for one, sincerely hope so.
Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. pic.twitter.com/zHH2b5oZQ4
— HelpAge India (@HelpAgeIndia_) June 27, 2014

author: Aparna Ray


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Juan Carlos Varela, New President of Panama · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón Orbe

Juan Carlos Varela and his ministers. Image by 5107223. Copyright Demotix (June 26, 2014).
In his first speech as president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela [es] promised to give back the “strength and credibility to our democracy and its institutions”, fight against corruption and maintain economic growth. He also said that “from this day on, nobody is above the law… We won't tolerate corruption in our government.”
The new president also used his Twitter account to express himself:
Que dios los bendiga y nos guie los próximos 5 años. Los quiero mucho!!! Viva Panamá! Viva Nuestra democracia. #Panamá
— Juan Carlos Varela (@JC_Varela) julio 1, 2014
May god bless you all and guide us for the next five years. I love you very much!!! Viva Panama! Long live our democracy.
Vienen mejores días para nuestro país. La contienda quedó atrás #Panamá
— Juan Carlos Varela (@JC_Varela) julio 1, 2014
Better days are yet to come. The election is already left behind.


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‘A World Where People Are Afraid of Receiving Help From a Stranger’ · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón Orbe

From Bolivia, El rincón de tu camarada Pepe (The hideout of your pal Pepe) shares what happened [es] to him one day when he saw a guy walking among the cars who “looked homeless, as he talks to a driver, the driver closes the window and looks terrified” and about his own reaction at the moment:
¿Qué puede estar haciendo ese viejo? ¿Será que está ofreciendo droga? O tal vez peor!!! Está ofreciendo órganos!!! No… está vendiendo a sus hijos!!! Bueno no, no veo niños, aunque veo una bolsa…tal vez están en esa bolsa!!
What can this guy be doing? Is he selling drugs? Or even worse!!! He is selling organs!!! No… he is selling his children!!! Well, no, I don't see children, although I see a bag… maybe they are in that bag!!
Then the blogger realizes he is thinking in prejudices, when the alleged homeless tells him:
“Estoy acá tratando de ayudar a la gente, pero todos parecen locos y huyen de mí […]”. (Dice que) despertó con las intenciones de hacer algo bueno con su vida, ayudar a las demás personas, esa bolsa que vi, donde tontamente pensé que traía restos de personas, era las pocas cosas que poseía y que estaba regalando para ver si podía ayudar a las demás personas […]. No puedo evitar sentirme triste por vivir en un mundo en el que la gente tiene miedo a recibir ayuda de un extraño, miedo a que alguien sea una terrible persona, miedo a acercarse a otro ser humano, ¿tanto nos hemos condicionado en este mundo que no podemos dejar de tener miedo de nosotros mismos como semejantes?
“Here I am trying to help people, but everybody reacts crazily and run away from me […]” (He says he) woke up with the intention of doing something good out of his life, help other people. That bag I saw where, silly me, I thought he carried human remains, contained the few things he had and was giving away to see if he could help other people […] I can't help but feeling sad for living in a world where people are afraid of receiving help from a stranger, fear that someone is a terrible individual, fear approaching another human being, are we that conditioned that we can't avoid being afraid of ourselves as our fellow man?


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Vietnam Says China Oil Rig in Disputed Waters Violated International Laws · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam explains why China made an error in moving an oil rig in the contested waters between China and Vietnam.
China’s act of locating its oil rig in contested waters in the Paracels is more than a dispute over sovereignty. It is also a dispute about international law of the sea.
The issue has ignited a strong anti-China sentiment and even street protests in Vietnam.
Vietnamese in Hong Kong gather to advocate peace and demand the removal of China oil rig from disputed waters in the South China Sea. Photo by Pete Walker, Copyright @Demotix (6/4/2014)


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This Protest Blasted FIFA’s Brazil Headquarters With Inconvenient World Cup Truths · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

The facade of the luxury Hotel Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, June 29, 2014. Photo by Coletivo Projetação, shared on Facebook.
Famous luxury hotel Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro — the headquarters of FIFA in Brazil — became a canvas for messages of protest against the World Cup on June 29, 2014. Activists projected facts and figures about the consequences of hosting the mega sports event for Brazilians, such as forced evictions to make way for infrastructure construction.
Coletivo Projetação (a combination of the Portuguese words project, projection and action), a collective that occupies public spaces as a form of political expression, claimed responsibility for the protest. The collective has carried out several similar actions in the last few months in other cities of Brazil and abroad. Visit their Facebook page and the website Projetacao.org for more photos.
The collective projected figures of Cup-related evictions in Rio de Janeiro.
“Brazilian investment, FIFA profit”. Photos were shared on Facebook and Twitter under the hashtag #projetaçodacopa.
The Brazilian flag reads “bread and circus” instead of “order and progress”.
Copacabana Palace Hotel is considered South America's premier hotel.


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Albanian Activists Condemn ‘Terrorist’ Murder Verdict in Macedonia · Global Voices
Danica Radisic

Balkan Insight reports that an ethnic Albanian NGO in Macedonia has condemned a recent court verdict convicting six Albanian men for the execution-style murder of five ethnic Macedonians on Christian Orthodox Easter in 2012.
The NGO claims that the entire investigation and verdict were politically-motivated and set against the six accused men from the beginning, leaving little to no room for other suspects or a more in-depth investigation. The six men stood trial for terrorism and were sentenced to the longest possible prison term for terrorism in Macedonia – life in prison.
Balkan Insight previously reported on the murders and the jailing of the six accused men.

author: Danica Radisic


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Argentina Fans Live Every Moment of Nail-Biter Victory Over Switzerland · Global Voices
Laura Schneider

Football fans cheering their national team from Ushuaia. Photo on Flickr by user Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación. CC BY-SA 2.0
In Argentina, everything comes to a halt during a World Cup match. The country has a strong football tradition, and during the 90 or more minutes of a game Argentinians swap their work uniform for that blue-and-white-striped T-shirt. Hearts racing, they cheer, chant and agonize with their beloved team. Balconies and houses are decorated with flags, and all of a sudden everyone knows everything about football, even though they might know nothing.
The story was no different during the knockout match on July 1 between Argentina and Switzerland, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Argentina that qualifies the team to advance. Angel Di Maria scored the winning goal late in extra time.
Fans unleashed a flood of love and support for Argentina after the match. Chau Suiza (farewell Switzerland) and #TeAmoArgentina (I love you Argentina) became trending topics on Twitter. If the country had lost, however, the conversation would have been marked by chagrin and sadness. Argentina fans can go from love to hate in the blink of an eye. Maybe it's because the World Cup is a solace and a defeat means they have to face again the daily routine.
Terminar los partidos sufriendo es típico de argentino. #TeAmoArgentina
— DEL MÁS GRANDE (@NachitoIstriz) julio 1, 2014
To finish up a match suffering is typical for an Argentinian.
Si Argentina no hubiera ganado esto no seria tendencia #TeAmoArgentina
— Fracasada ♡ (@MicaCanido1) julio 1, 2014
If Argentina hadn't won, this hashtag [I love you Argentina] wouldn't be trending topic.
@JuanGabrielCABJ took stock of the greats from Argentina:
El Papa es Argentino, Maradona es Argetino, tenemos a Messi y a un angelito , Que mas pedir? #TeAmoArgentina
— AmorEternoPorBoca♥ (@JuanGabrielCABJ) julio 1, 2014
The Pope is Argentinian, [famous former football player Diego Armando] Maradona is Argentinian, we have [famous football player Lionel] Messi and a little angel [referring to Angel Di Maria, who scored the winning goal against Switzerland]. What else can we ask for?
And amidst the rejoicing, Argentinians remembered Pope Francis with the hashtag Tenemos a Dios (We have God):
Tenemos a D10s, tenemos al Papa, tenemos al Messias, tenemos a un Angel, nos falta la copa ;)
— Pokimon Ezpezial #2 (@Roman_Barrios_) julio 1, 2014
We've got God, we've got the Pope, we've got a Messiah, we've got an Angel, we are still waiting for the Cup. ;)
Argentinian players also shared their happiness, like Ezequiel “Pocho” Lavezzi on his Facebook page [es]:
“Super important victory!!! Incredible effort from the team!!! Let's go Argentina.” Image posted on Ezequiel Lavezzi‘s official page on Facebook
Lionel Messi wrote [es] on his official Facebook page:
Nadie dijo que iba a ser fácil. Un pasito más. #VamosArgentina
Nobody said it was an easy game. Another big step.
#VamosArgentina
- LIO
Nobody said it was an easy game. Another big step.
#VamosArgentina (let's go, Argentina).
- LIO
Meanwhile, all that is left is to wait for the next match and why not, answer the following question:
Pelé estuvo presente en el partido de Argentina y le trajo suerte. ¿Lo llevarías a los cuartos de final? → http://t.co/PxOOjAjx6o
— IgnacioDiazSayde (@IgnacioAgustin9) julio 1, 2014
[Brazilian superstar footballer] Pelé was among the spectators of the Argentina match and it was good luck. Would you take him to the quarterfinals?

author: Laura Schneider