text:
Social media platforms are ablaze as Turks say “enough” to President Erdogan · Global Voices
Arzu Geybullayeva

Thousands protest in Istanbul against corruption and Erdogan's government, December 2013. A banner with Fethullah Gulen and PM Erdogan's pictures reads “one is no better than the other”. Fulya Atalay for Demotix.
It took just a few hours for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to realise the mistake he made while speaking to the members of his party in Ankara on May 8.
Referring to himself first in the third person, President Erodgan said: “his foes have just one care – to destroy Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”
He continued: “If one day our nation says ‘tamam’, then we will move to the side”.
In Turkish, “tamam” means “that's enough”. And that is exactly what Turks said in response to the president's pledge.
In tandem with Erdogan's outspoken political opponents, many members of the public at large took to Twitter to say “enough”. On May 8 and 9, #Tamam trended worldwide and across Turkey.
T A M A M now shared over 1 million times. pic.twitter.com/P42owQSJue
— Piotr Zalewski (@p_zalewski) May 8, 2018
In retaliation, the hashtag “#Devam” meaning “continue” or “carry on” also started gaining influence. But the comparison of the two is nowhere near close.
Akin Unver, who is a Fellow of Cyber Research Program at the Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Research tracked both hashtags and shared this:
Istanbul focus: 1) #TAMAM 2) #DEVAM
Ankara focus: 1) #TAMAM 2) #DEVAM (too many bots, most dots contain 100s of content) pic.twitter.com/1rVwYlymwx
— Akin Unver (@AkinUnver) May 9, 2018
Upon popular request; some simple distribution maps of Turkey's #TAMAM vs #DEVAM contest; one of the largest political hashtag wars in Internet history.
1- #TAMAM global dist
2- #DEVAM global dist
3- #TAMAM national dist
4- #DEVAM national dist pic.twitter.com/DiMuqsQZQa
— Akin Unver (@AkinUnver) May 9, 2018
“One of the largest political hashtag wars in internet history” is raging in Turkey between #TAMAM and #DEVAM.
Find out more ?https://t.co/z2wviYuKe6
— BBC_HaveYourSay (@BBC_HaveYourSay) May 9, 2018
eminiz. son kararımız. ?T A M A M #tamam pic.twitter.com/1I4yWgN6YJ
— Erbil Gözüaçık (@erbil_gozuacik) May 9, 2018
We are certain. This is our final decision [The block below says: Are you sure you want to exit? Ok or Cancel
“What have i done?” T A M A M #Tamam pic.twitter.com/qC5fcJCbkU
— Ismail Küpeli (@ismail_kupeli) May 8, 2018
Others have called to remove Turkey's emergency rule — which Erdogan used as justification for early elections, currently scheduled for June 24 — in order to have free and fair elections in Turkey.
OHCHR | Turkey must lift state of emergency restrictions for credible elections to take place https://t.co/VomTC22cwT
— Emma Sinclair-Webb (@esinclairwebb) May 9, 2018
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales used the hashtag as an opportunity to call on Erdogan to lift the ban on Wikipedia, which has been blocked for a year in Turkey.
I love Turkey. I love the Turkish culture and people. The beautiful city of Istanbul… great food, great wine, great culture. I call on Erdogan to unblock Wikipedia and to listen to the people! #tamam #wemissturkey
— Jimmy Wales (@jimmy_wales) May 8, 2018
#Tamam also made it to Instagram:
#TAMAM
A post shared by  KIMAÇ ÇABUKER (@kimaccabuker) on
Authorities were quick to dismiss the rising support for “tamam” online and claimed posts were sent by bots associated with PKK and FETO.
AKP spokesman Mahir Unal said:
Most of the tweets with the hashtag TAMAM are posted from countries where FETÖ and PKK are active. They are bot accounts. We can understand Greece. But what about those at home?’
Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın in a press conference on May 9 was quoted saying:
The attacks via social media bots will not come up with any results. We consider reality, not the virtual world. We believe our nation will say ‘continue’ instead. It is not important for us. Citizens will have the last word in the polls.
Deputy PM Bozdağ: “They [those who are saying #Tamam] are dreaming, June 24 will be the day their dream turns into a nightmare.” https://t.co/9YwGXtNsLh
— Has Avrat (@hasavrat) May 9, 2018
While Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu used #Devam to stress that Turkey's future lies with President Erdogan.
Büyük hayallerimiz, büyük sevdamız var! Daha müreffeh, daha güçlü bir Türkiye için, kutlu davamıza DEVAM. pic.twitter.com/UbllAGfa1b
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) May 8, 2018
We have big hopes and big love! In our blessed struggle for prosperous and stronger Turkey #carryon
Image text: Turkey is our common living space, common love, common past, common future
President Erdogan has ruled Turkey for 15 years. He has also called for snap elections, which will take place on June 24. If he secures victory in these elections, Erdogan will stay in power for the next seven years.

author: Arzu Geybullayeva


text:
Burundi’s contentious constitutional referendum reflects deeper political problems · Global Voices
Liam Anderson

South African President Jacob Zuma (front row, center) visits Burundi, February 25, 2016. Photo Credit: GovernmentZA. Flickr, CC license.
On May 17, 2018, Burundians will go to the polls to vote on proposed constitutional amendments. Voters will be asked to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on changes that include extending the presidential terms to seven years and restarting the count that might help current President Pierre Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034.
Burundi's current constitution has been in place since 2005, and largely regarded along with the Arusha Accord as a covenant that ended the country’s civil war, ushering President Nkurunziza into power in 2005. Tension regarding apparent bias and coercion in the referendum campaigning process has reflected ongoing political disputes within the East African nation.
‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns have picked up steam in the official two-week campaign period which ends on May 14, 2018. But campaigning before or after this official period or by non-registered groups was strictly forbidden.
However, opponents of the constitutional amendment complain that for months government officials have backed the ‘Yes’ campaign, led by the ruling party and joined by others such as the officially-recognized branch of UPRONA (Union for National Progress).
Vice-president Joseph Butore said it was the “will of the people”, and President Nkurunziza promised it is “God’s will”  to free Burundi from foreign colonizers for a better future. He encouraged supporters to vote freely, although officials also warned against “sabotaging” the vote and told people to report suspects to police.
Agathon Rwasa, head of the Amizero y’Abarundi coalition, supports the ‘No’ campaign, insisting that the referendum does not represent the people and could possibly install an authoritarian regime. The unrecognized UPRONA joined this campaign, as did the Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) which argues against the referendum to protect the Arusha Accord, mediated dialogue, and avoid a one-party state.
Nkurunziza's announcement that he would serve as the ruling party’s ‘Supreme Guide’ sparked worry of authoritarianism among critics.
The opposition also laments that the referendum's definitive text was not circulated publicly, preventing scrutiny of details or consultation throughout the development of proposed changes. Others argued that the public opposition rallies showed free expression:
6ème journée de la campagne pour le #Referendum2018: Agathon Rwasa, leader de la coalition Amizero y’Abarundi était en @CibitokeProv au nord-ouest du #Burundi pour la promotion du “Non” contre la révision de la Constitution. Des milliers de sympathisants sont venus l'accueillir pic.twitter.com/0J8ydFWVTr
— Ikiriho (@Ikiriho) May 6, 2018
6th day of the campaign for the referendum 2018: Agathon Rwasa, leader of the Amizero y’Abarundi coalition, was in Cibitoke Province in North-West Burundi to promote “no” against the changes to the constitution. Thousands of supporters came to greet him
Opponents of the amendment are divided, though. Those remaining in Burundi largely back ‘No’ although some dissenters back ‘Yes’. Meanwhile, exiled opposition members centered around the National Council for the Respect of the Arusha Accord and the Peace and Reconciliation of Burundi (CNARED) support a boycott. Some supporters in exile express frustration with these divisions.
One Burundian in Rwanda told Yaga, a Burundi-based blog:
Visiblement elle chancelle face à un pouvoir qui se consolide de jour en jour. Elle peine à parler d’une même voix»
“It [the opposition] is obviously staggering faced with a power which strengthens each day. It struggles to speak with one voice”
In April 2018, Human Rights Watch described “lawlessness” in the country. International Crisis Group criticized a “campaign of intimidation” leading up the referendum, including arrests and even deaths of those accused of opposing the referendum. Officials reject this as mendacious to tarnish Burundi’s image.
The International Federation for Human Rights also criticized media coverage biased in favor of the ‘Yes’ camp.
Leading up the referendum, citizens report significant pressure to register to vote, to refrain from voting “No” or boycotting the referendum altogether. Controversy also surrounds reports of coerced citizen “contributions” to finance elections.
SOS Médias Burundi, an underground journalist collective, used their Facebook page to report many arrests and intimidating acts, such as a video of a member of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) threatening to “break the teeth” of ‘No’ campaigners.
Tight restrictions on media have continued throughout this campaign. The National Communications Council (CNC) recently suspended the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) accused of threatening “national cohesion”, and Voice of America (VOA) for six months.
Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters without Borders) criticized the clampdown as another attack on press freedom, particularly to restrict debate on the referendum as both hold radio shows in the Kirundi language, making them widely accessible.
The CNC also cautioned Radio France International (RFI) and local radios Isanganiro and CCIB FM+, and in April suspended Iwacu newspaper’s online comments section for three months.
Tensions have run high since 2015 when President Nkurunziza's third term – widely seen as prohibited by the 2005 constitution and Arusha Accord — sparked protests, a failed coup, and rebellion.
As a result, many members of the opposition, ruling CNDD-FDD party dissenters, and journalists fled abroad while others were internally displaced. While thousands have returned since 2017, the United Nations (UN) has still registered 396,000 refugees since 2015 at underfunded refugee camps. Ministers claim these figures are manipulated.
Since 2015, local and international rights monitors have criticized repression, impunity, and restrictions on media and activists by security services and the CNDD-FDD “Imbonerakure” youth-wing. Several radios were closed and journalists harassed, even disappeared. Recently, rights activist Germain Rukiki received a heavy prison sentence for “threatening state security”.
A 2017 UN Commission of Inquiry report said crimes against humanity may have occurred and saw no improvement by March. The government rejected these claims. The International Criminal Court opened an ongoing investigation, which continues despite Burundi's government leaving the court.
Political insecurity has hit economically, bringing austerity budgets, energy shortages, and inflation. A UN report in February estimated that those needing humanitarian assistance in 2018 rose to 3.6 million.
International responses have been lackluster and divided, with mediated dialogue ineffective. Sanctions have amplified economic stress and the crisis has stretched relations with neighboring Rwanda in particular.
France, United States, and the European Union expressed concern over insecurity and repression around the referendum. Yet, Burundi’s UN Ambassador, Albert Shingiro, said governments should respect sovereignty. The influential Catholic Church said it was not the moment to amend the constitution, given the ongoing insecurity and many refugees unable to vote.
Government supporters argue that the referendum demonstrates independence from Western interference. Officials minimized the reforms, saying they only affect part of the constitution. Opponents expect ‘Yes’ to win, but fear it legally consolidates an “eternal president” and the return of a one-party state.
Either way, the referendum appears to have further cemented divisions while pressing political and economic challenges persist.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Liam Anderson


text:
Netizen Report: Gambia Supreme Court ruling leaves the future of free speech uncertain · Global Voices
Netizen Report Team

Protesters in the Gambia following the election of Adama Barrow in 2017. Screenshot from YouTube video, widely circulated.
The Supreme Court in the Gambia struck down the 2013 Information and Communication Amendment (ICA) Act, declaring it unconstitutional. The court nevertheless upheld key sections of the country’s sedition law. Both have been used as tools for media repression.
The ruling is the result of a 2015 court filing by the Gambia Press Union challenging the constitutionality of sedition, libel, criminal defamation, and false news laws. The regional court of the Economic Community of West African States recently ruled on the same laws, in a case brought by four exiled Gambian journalists, and found them all unconstitutional.
But the Gambian Supreme Court thought differently. The ruling upheld sedition laws that can be used to punish critical speech or journalistic investigations related to the president, while it struck down the a 2013 amendment to the ICA, which criminalized online defamation and the spread of “false news” on the internet. Violators were subject to heavy fines and prison terms of up to 15 years in prison.
On Twitter, Gambian journalist Sanna Camara described the ICT Act as one of the “toughest internet laws in Africa.” Camara himself faced legal threats in the Gambia for his coverage of human trafficking, published by The Standard. In 2014, Camara was accused of publishing “false news” and fled the country shortly thereafter.
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ Angela Quintal described the decision as “one step forward, two steps backwards.”
“[The ruling] sends a message that journalists are still not free to work without the threat of criminal prosecution,” she said.
The ruling marks the court’s first major decision affecting free speech since the 2017 transition of power from long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh to current president Adama Barrow. Shortly after assuming office, Barrow freed hundreds of prisoners and launched a series of investigations into alleged human rights violations under the Jammeh regime. But activists and citizens who speak their minds in public spaces online and off have continued to do so under pressure.
In February 2018, a university lecturer was detained over comments he made to a local media outlet. Just this past week, youth activists were arrested after calling attention to the threat of environmental degradation caused by Golden Lead, a Chinese-owned fish processing factory in the coastal settlement of Gunjur.
A Tanzanian High Court has halted the implementation of the US $900 “blogger tax” imposed by the government as part of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations which demanded that bloggers paid a fine or cease blogging.
Six human right groups in the country had asked the court to review the regulations, arguing that the Minister of Information acted outside his authority and in violation of the right to freedom of expression. Though temporary, the high court ruling is a win for free speech in Tanzania.
Honduran broadcast journalist Mauricio Ortega received a death threat over Facebook messenger, not long after conducting a series of reports on incidents of passengers being physically assaulted on public transport. Later that day, he was followed by a car with no license plates. In an interview with the Honduran Committee for Free Expression, he said:
…las amenazas en contra de nosotros es lamentablemente hasta normal, estamos acostumbrados a que los que se sienten ofendidos nos insulten, amenacen y nos desacrediten y tristemente no hay confianza ni eficiencia en los entes encargados de administrar o impartir justicia, esto nos vuelve más vulnerables.
…threats against us have unfortunately become normal, we’re accustomed to being insulted, threatened and discredited by those who take offense at our work. And sadly, there is little trust or efficiency in those who are supposed to ensure justice, which leaves us that much more vulnerable.
As protests broke out across Russia, approaching Vladimir Putin's official inauguration into his fourth term as president, several activists reported that their mobile phone signals became weak or non-existent. Some said Russian telecom operators were intentionally degrading the quality of service or even delisting their numbers at the orders of the authorities. Activist Denis Styazhkin reported that his telco operator, Beeline, told him that his number had been de-listed on police orders.
A Chinese internet subculture connecting the TV cartoon character “Peppa Pig” with “Shehuiren”, a term that refers to organized crime syndicates, has resulted in a muddy puddle for the popular porker. After leading state media outlets criticized the inkage, the popular Chinese video platform Douyan removed more than 30,000 videos of the cheerful pink character and made the term “Peppa Pig” unsearchable on its website, likely anticipating an all-out ban on Peppa.
On May 7, Egypt’s parliament passed a law that will require ride-hailing services like Uber and the UAE-based Careem to establish servers in Egypt for the processing of all data pertaining to Egypt-based users. The law, which is still awaiting executive approval, obligates these companies to provide user data (including information about the location of both riders and drivers) to security authorities at their request. Both companies were temporarily suspended in March 2018 after a group of local taxi operators sued the companies on licensing grounds.
The European Commission proposed new counterterrorism measures including the mandatory inclusion of biometric data in ID cards and residence documents for EU residents and their family members. This measure would require the majority of EU residents to be fingerprinted so that biometric identifiers can be checked at border points.
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office has given Cambridge Analytica 30 days to hand over all the data and personal information it has on one American voter, or face a criminal prosecution. The voter, David Carroll, found that because Cambridge Analytica had processed US voter data in the UK, he could assert his rights under British laws. Cambridge Analytica announced this week that it has gone into liquidation.
Participants at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day International Conference released the Accra Declaration calling on UNESCO member states to create and strengthen legal and policy frameworks to ensure respect for free expression and privacy and to protect safety of journalists and media workers.
Afef Abrougui, Ellery Roberts Biddle, Nwachukwu Egbunike, Mohamed ElGohary, Rohith Jyothish, Demba Kandeh, Leila Nachawati, and Sarah Myers West contributed to this report.

author: Netizen Report Team


text:
A new era for Malaysia after voters end six-decade reign of ruling party · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Malaysian group Bersih during one of its rallies calling for a clean and honest electoral process. Source: Facebook
After sixty years of as the ruling party in Malaysia, Barisan Nasional (BN) was defeated at the 14th General Elections (GE14) on May 9, 2018.
The BN-led government was headed by Najib Razak who was linked to several corruption scandals. Razak also became more unpopular as he tried to suppress the demand for accountability and transparency with regard to these corruption allegations.
Malaysia will now be led by 92-year-old Dr. Mahathir Mohamad who served as prime minister for 22 years until his retirement in 2003. He became active again in politics to lead the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition party in challenging Razak and the ruling coalition he once led.
The final tally of the GE14 reflected the dissatisfaction of most Malaysians to the performance of Razak's government. Many Malaysian netizens celebrated the news about the historic voting result:
Can you believe it?
We won.
At 3.30 A.M on the 10th of May 2018, Barisan Nasional is no longer our ruler. A few hours from now, the sun will begin to rise over the horizon.
How poignant.. we'll see a new Malaysia greeting us.
The future awaits us, let's go to sleep.#GE14
— K.A C-137 (@terimame) May 9, 2018
Today, history has been made ??
• new government after 61 years
• Malaysia first female deputy minister
• the oldest (93y/o) candidate won
• the youngest (22y/o) candidate won
A proud first time voter here! #GE14
— Ana (@nmalyanah) May 9, 2018
On his first day in office, the new president tweeted:
First day on the job… once again. pic.twitter.com/Oxe3E8OEuU
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) May 11, 2018
He vowed to investigate agencies involved in corruption. He also reaffirmed the pledge of the opposition to abolish repressive laws, taxes, and programs.
“We also want to abolish laws that are oppressive and unfair. We will abolish the fake news act…” – Dr Mahathir. #GE14
— Sumisha Naidu (@SumishaCNA) May 10, 2018
Malaysiakini, an independent news website, highlighted the importance of the opposition victory:
This is the day Malaysians experienced the power of the ballot.
Anger towards the current administration had brought them out in large numbers to cast their votes in the historic 14th general election.
This is the first time the country has witnessed a change of government since independence from the British in 1957.
The paper made a point to remind the new government of urgent reforms necessary to ‘heal’ the nation:
Now the hard work begins. No one should be under the illusion that a new government would be able to reverse the rot that had taken root for decades.
For a country that is so divided, it would take time to heal the wounds, and for Malaysians to rebuild the trust for one another and for the many institutions that have failed them.
Aliran, a civil society group, also celebrated the outcome of the GE14 while enumerating some of the challenges faced by the new government:
Aliran salutes the people of Malaysia who rose up, braved the odds stacked against them and used their vote to make this happen. We salute too the many women and men who worked (many of them for decades) in bringing about the awareness necessary for this change to take place.
The outcome of the general election is a testament to the power of the people to bring about change. Around the world, Malaysia has set a good example – that of People Power and that of a peaceful transition of government.
PH must work towards dismantling the many structures which have kept the corrupt in power for so long. This also entails, among other things, curbing the power of the executive and the restoration of other institutions badly tainted by political interference.
This tweet summarizes the sentiment of many a day after the historic GE14:
Even with PH winning, changes will not happen immediately. There's still so many things to be fixed so we gotta be patient enough for when that happens. Let's focus on maintaining peace and keep things in view for a better tomorrow, for a better Malaysia. #GE14
— Lum Bao Yi (@CHANIEL96) May 9, 2018

author: Mong Palatino


text:
Despite support for the #MeToo movement in Pakistan, a culture of silence still prevails · Global Voices
Annam Lodhi

Photo by Lum3n.com from Pexels. CC0
Following the harrowing rape and murder of 7-year-old Zainab in Kasur, a city located south of Lahore (the provincial capital of Punjab), celebrities began using the #MeToo hashtag to talk about sexual assault faced by women in Pakistan.
Theatre and TV actor Nadia Jamil, former model and choreographer Frieha Altaf, and fashion designer Maheen Khan all took to Twitter to open up about their own childhood sexual abuse stories, encouraging others to come forward with theirs. Unfortunately, cases like Zainab’s are some of the only times when people can come forward with their own stories and help to shed light on deep-rooted issues.
However, a recent case involving sexual assault accusations against a beloved male celebrity has caused a backlash against his accuser, causing many to call into question the double standards placed on women who speak out against sexual violence.
Pakistan, as a country, is no stranger to sexual harassment — a situation that affects all genders. According to numbers by Sahil, a non-governmental organization that documents rape cases reported in daily newspapers, in 2017, a total of 3445 child abuse cases were reported in the newspapers in Pakistan and many of these have not been registered with the police yet.
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
As people began speaking out, many saw positive effects such as the #JusticeForZainab trend which was followed by educational videos and talk shows about good and bad touching and the need for sex education in the country –something that was picked swiftly by the provincial government of Sindh. Many felt the country was moving towards a positive change, that is, until April when singer and prominent entertainment figure Meesha Shafi tweeted harassment allegations against Ali Zafar. Zafar is a singer and former Bollywood actor and Shafi claims that he had abused her on multiple occasions. This time, instead of backing the accusers, the internet and the industry seems to feel alienated; they can't seem to choose sides.
The Pakistani entertainment industry, which is as old as Pakistan itself (Pakistan got independence in 1947), is judged or praised according to the ever-changing mindset of the country’s people — something which is, in part, inspired by heavy politicisation by the political parties and their manifestos. Pakistan, which was heavily Islamicized and had gone into a transition from being liberal to be conservative and back to being moderately liberal over the years, has yet to decide if they love their entertainers or hate them.
A woman breaks her silence about abuse, withstands character assassination & further abuse on social media, her story turns into memes & tone-deaf jokes that trivialize the issue, she fears ostracization – but suuuuure, she did it for the cheap publicity. https://t.co/eDeOpXYUox
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) April 19, 2018
Throughout these political and social changes, what remains widely believed is that these entertainers, or more aptly put, the women entertainers, are a bad influence. The women who work in the industry struggle daily with maintaining their image in the country, they are constantly under pressure to behave and maintain a sophisticated, religious and family orientated presence. Many feel that it is unethical for women, in general, to stay out late, mingle with more men than necessary, to travel around the globe and stay in hotels, to be seen on TV constantly, to wear clothes that are ‘inappropriate or to even smoke — all of which are common practices in any entertainment industry.
That being said the burden for social discourse also lies on these influencers. Even though their characters are regularly questioned, their lifestyle and ideologies matter to all these people — whether they be detractors or not. This background is important to understand the position of women in Pakistan, especially when they come forward with allegations of harassment.
In Meesha Shafi’s case, what mattered to people was the fact that a beloved male pop-star was the accused. People viewed Shafi's allegations critically, scrutinizing her past, her behaviour, and her character. This happened to such an extent that she decided to deactivate her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Shafi states:
They (my accounts) have been deactivated for very obvious reasons, one would think. The abuse, threats, bullying and slander that I have faced is the reason I felt the strong need to protect not just myself but my family, especially my two young children who were also being subjected to personal attacks online.
In response, some netizens questioned the veracity of Shafi's statements:
It’s funny how such things to go one other extreme in Pakistan for starters we don’t even know what ali zafar did. It could have been something inappropriate but is it big enough to splatter it all over Twitter?
— Faisal Amjad (@FaisalAmjad1) April 19, 2018
Ali, who lost his position as the judge for the prestigious music show Pepsi Battle of the Bands, immediately filed a defamation case against Shafi and their lawyers are in now fighting a legal battle.
In the past weeks, many other women have come forward sharing their stories of abuse at the hands of Ali Zafar; however, his band members and colleagues have stood by him explaining that he is a ‘devoted husband, father and a family guy’. The industry at large is careful not to take sides as the case rolls on.
You are explaining things to Feminazis. There is no concept of judge and jury with them. A man should be hanged when they point a finger at him. If u demand investigation and the man actually turns out to be a culprit, they would tear you apart with a barrage of “i told you so”.
— Shakir Qadri (@shakuqadri) April 20, 2018
Nadia Jamil, while tweeting about the issue tried to present both the sides giving many contradicting statements to stay on neutral ground:
I don't go to the industry parties, hence I am not harassed (within the industry).
This case has become a classic example of victim blaming while the perpetrator roams freely. Unfortunately, it is not the only high profile case where we have yet to see results in alleged harassment cases in Pakistan. Case in point, Ayesha Gulalai, a member of the national assembly of Pakistan and Imran Khan’s, leader of the mainstream party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In this case, Gulalai alleged that Khan harassed her and was rebutted for her character after which she was asked to leave the political party PTI. Her political career took a serious blow after the incident.
On Friday, UN Women Pakistan issued a joint statement stating:
As the courage of #MeToo speakers across the world forces a reconsideration of how violence against women is managed and ended, we express our solidarity with victims and with the pressure for change. This is as urgent in Pakistan as it is in the rest of the world.
The group went on to tweet:
#MeToo
“There must be consequences for those who choose to abuse and not to comply… We say to the women who are speaking up: we hear you, we are with you.”
Read the Full Statement: https://t.co/QtNDSAzkwj pic.twitter.com/T27frk6uI3
— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) May 4, 2018
Unfortunately, not everyone is behind Shafi. While talking to the press, Minister of State for Interior Affairs Talal Chaudhary, called the Meesha/Ali incident a ‘drama’, adding that it was a scheme to “to grab media attention”.
While the international community and celebrities are paying heed to Shafi's case, the local community is still digging for evidence to rebuke her allegations. This trend of victim shaming can be seen as an indicator of Pakistan’s culture of silence, where people feel safer by not disclosing these incidents due to the fear of further harassment, on social media or in their personal circles.

author: Annam Lodhi


text:
Bangladesh blasts off with their first ever satellite launch into space · Global Voices
Zara Rahman

Bangabandhu Satellite-1 Mission at Cape Canaveral, USA. Image from Flickr via Official SpaceX Photos. Public domain.
At 4:14 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 11, 2018, Bangabandhu-1, Bangladesh’s first geostationary communications satellite, was launched into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida in the United States. It marked a key milestone for the country and was celebrated throughout Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu-1, named after the nickname of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, founding father of Bangladesh, was launched into its orbital slot on 119.1 degrees east longitude. The satellite's mission is expected to last at least 15 years.
The launch was originally planned for May 10 and postponed to take place the following day after an error was found just a minute before launch. A delegation of Bangladeshi officials, led by State Minister for Telecommunications and Post, Tarana Halim, arrived in Florida on Tuesday to witness the successful launch.
Peter B. de Selding, the editor of Space Intel Report tweeted:
Builder @Thales_Alenia_S confirms in-orbit health of Bangabandhu-1 w/ signals and solar panel deploy. Mission success for 1st launch of @SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 upgrade. Bangladesh now joins list of nations w/ own telecom sat. pic.twitter.com/BPThxwnCPS
— Peter B. de Selding (@pbdes) May 12, 2018
K. Scottt Piel, a software engineer from Kenedy Space Center, tweeted:
A 90 Magapixel look at @SpaceX‘s #Falcon9 carrying #Bangabandhu1 ahead of today's maiden flight of the #Block5
Full resolution download available here: https://t.co/nsNVWKkFHb#photography #Space #rocketry pic.twitter.com/a8aPvc1irD
— K. Scott Piel (@spiel2001) May 10, 2018
Work began on the 7,700-pound (3,700-kilogram) satellite back in 2015, when it was ordered from France-based Thales Alenia Space by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
The launch also marked a milestone for the company SpaceX, who was contracted to carry out the launch itself. It was the debut of a new upgrade to their launch vehicle, known as Falcon 9 Block 5, which is a more reusable, higher-thrust model. SpaceX is an American company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. SpaceX produced a live webcast of the launch, which can be viewed online:
Bangabandhu-1 will provide satellite television, internet access, and emergency communication services, as well as broadband to rural areas in Bangladesh, and will be operated by the newly-formed state-owned company the Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Ltd, after having been led by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Committee (the BTRC) up until this point.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh’s annual expenditure for satellite connectivity is currently 14 million USD spent on renting bandwidth from foreign operators. It is predicted that with the launch of Bangabandhu-1, this cost will significantly decrease.
Incredible moment yesterday. #Bangabandhu Satellite-1 being celebrated. This one-of-a-kind #satellite is designed to reduce the #digitaldivide in #Bangladesh not only in big cities but also in rural areas. It will be a source of #employment in the region @telespazio @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/a3oiRNEPzH
— Thales Alenia Space (@Thales_Alenia_S) May 12, 2018
The satellite will offer Ku-band coverage over Bangladesh and its territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
On Twitter, Bangladeshi citizens expressed their support for the mission, despite the early hour of the launch.
Farhan Hossain tweeted:
Finally #Bangabandhu1 is going to be on #Space and #Bangladesh is entering the club of satellite owners as 57th country in the world. Thanks to HPM #SheikhHasina for her relentless efforts and step towards #DigitalBangladesh. pic.twitter.com/YCF6Fmb1Wc
— Farhan Hossain (@fhjony1971) May 10, 2018
Adnan Ahmed Khan wrote:
Successful deployment of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to geostationary transfer orbit confirmed. maybe this is how a country changes, so proud :|#SpaceX #Bangladesh #Bangabandhu1 #Falcon9 #Block5
— Adnan Ahmed Khan (@iamkhanshaheb) May 12, 2018
However, some like Kazi Didar commented that the huge expenditure for the satellite could be better used to meet some of Bangladesh's basic requirements first:
We #Bangladeshi don't want to waste money for #satellite.
First of all we want food, clothes, education, house, public security. We want democratic government & voting rights, Transparent Judiciary system, Improved communication system, jobs & corruption free #Bangladesh#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/eiTVpa4IhX
— Kazi Didar (@kazididar95) May 11, 2018
No matter what, this is being regarded by many as a major achievement for Bangladesh:
Zenith Tweeted:
Cannot believe Bangladesh is becoming the 57th member of the satellite-owning exclusive countries club with the launch of #Bangabandhu1
proud moment, though most are busy watching TV shows so they probably have no clue ?
#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/i5YubgDXv1
— Zenith (@AbirZenith) May 11, 2018
Raju wrote:
Local groundstations successfully receive test signal from #Bangabandhu1 satellite. This is a huge achievement of #Bangladesh under the Bold Leadership of HPM #SheikhHasina.
Read- https://t.co/1PRYgr7bA8#DigitalBangladesh @sajeebwazed @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/NtDIZPUAvN pic.twitter.com/GkRjGMWgBY
— raju advance (@rajunewedition) May 12, 2018

author: Zara Rahman


text:
Cuban activists launch detailed agenda for LGBTIQ rights in Cuba · Global Voices
Sandra Abd'Allah-Alvarez Ramírez

“LGBT Flag of Cuba.” Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
On May 11, 2018, a score of Cuban intellectuals and activists launched an exhaustive agenda for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, intersexuals, trans, queer and intersex people in Cuba. According to the submission:
Basados en los principios de Yogyakarta sobre la aplicación de la legislación internacional de derechos humanos en relación con la orientación sexual y la identidad de género, en la Declaración de derechos sexuales de la Asociación Mundial para la Salud Sexual (WAS) y en virtud de las próximas reformas constitucionales y jurídicas en Cuba, integrantes de la comunidad LGBTIQ cubana nos hemos reunido para promover esta agenda.
Based on the Yogyakarta principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, in the Declaration of Sexual Rights of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) and due to the upcoming constitutional and legal reforms in Cuba, members of the Cuban LGBTIQ community have met to promote this agenda.
The document begins by considering that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent to human dignity. The goal is not only for the text to work as a collective statement but also as a proposal that contributors can continue to feed with ideas and suggestions. The text also proposes specific lines of action that can be used as a starting point for research and for developing public policies, as Isbel Díaz Torres explains in Havana Times.
The agenda is the first of its kind in Cuba, compiled entirely by members of the public and focuses on the rights of LGTBIQ people. In addition, it includes 63 specific demands and is divided into two large sections: legislative measures and policies, plans and strategies.
Cuban film director Yaíma Pardo set an important precedent with the demands collected in her documentary Causas y Azares (Causes and Chances, subtitles in English available). Another precedent was the text written by activist and blogger Alberto Roque. The documentary highlights numerous analyses regarding the current state of the LGBTQI community's rights in Cuba and the ideological and institutional changes necessary to ensure their full exercise.
Regrettably, the Socialist social project inherited that discrimination, those false concepts, that ignorance regarding human sexuality; and in Cuba's case, it has taken too long, to my liking, to face that reality and transform it.
Marxism appeared in the West and was a philosophical [construct made by] a white man. It does not recognize the diversity of sexualities or identities that people carry with them as part of their culture. Not everything has to do with the classist struggle. Each social class has a bunch of cultural, sexual, work and artistic identities. Recognizing that is what allows the policies [created] to emancipate people to truly serve the people and not the [State's] ideals regarding people … [that's where] Socialism has failed so far.
The Agenda for LGBTIQ rights in Cuba promotes a broad and inclusive debate on human rights and requests that their demands be considered by the National Assembly of People's Power, the Council of Ministers and those who make policies, plans and strategies in Cuba.

author: Sandra Abd'Allah-Alvarez Ramírez


text:
Indonesia on maximum security alert following a string of explosions in East Java · Global Voices
Juke Carolina

Surabaya skyline by Flickr user Everyone Sinks Starco. CC By-Sa
People are scared, confused and angry following a spate of violence in and around Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, including suicide bombings at three Christian churches on Sunday, May 13, 2018, that killed at least 14 people and injured dozens.
Later that same day about 30 kilometers away, a 47-year-old snack peddler's homemade bomb exploded accidentally in a social housing facility, killing the man's wife and eldest daughter and injuring his three other children. The man, who police say was assembling multiple explosives, was shot dead by counter-terrorism forces.
And in the morning of Monday, May 14, a family of five on motorcycles detonated themselves at the checkpoint gate of Surabaya Police Headquarters, killing them and leaving four officers and six civilians in critical condition. One of the children of the suicide bombers, an 8-year-old, was hurt but survived.
In response to the attacks, police announced a nationwide maximum security alert.
ISIS claimed the church bombings in Surabaya, which is the capital of East Java Province. The churches are the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Diponegoro, a Presbyterian church; Gereja Pantekosta Pusat (GPP) Surabaya, a Pentecostal church; and Gereja Santa Maria Tak Bercela (Saint Mary the Immaculate), a Roman Catholic church.
The Indonesian police identified Dita Oepriarto, a father of four, as the mastermind of those attacks. He was also named as the Surabaya ringleader of Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a group that has pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and is designated a terrorist organization by the US government.
A few days ago, the Indonesian police managed to control a prison riot in Depok, a West Javan city, involving hundreds of detainees, many of whom belong to JAD. Riot leaders were eventually transferred to Nusa Kambangan maximum security prison.
The police believe that the Surabaya bombings could be retaliation by JAD in response to the waning ISIS presence in the world and rampant arrests of its ring leaders.
Hundreds of Surabaya residents showed up at the Red Cross Indonesia to donate blood for the bombing victims. And there was an outpouring of condolences for the victims of the violence.
Deepest condolences to the Surabaya’s church bombing victims. I dont know what actually happened but I hope everyone safe.
— RVGN (@iqahhisham) 14 de mayo de 2018
I feel sad for the loss of loved ones and condolences to their families in #SurabayaBombing – a senseless and coward act, religion is to make us better not destroy #indonesia #pray #condolences
— Axel Dinesen (@axeld40) 14 de mayo de 2018
The country's two largest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhamadiyah, offered their condolences to the families of those who perished and condemned the acts.
And the Indonesian Council of Churches (PGI) on its press release asked churches and the congregations to fully trust the state to carry out its duties. It also called on churches and public to diffuse misinformation and not to “fight violence with violence”. Pope Francis also spoke of the need for “reconciliation and brotherhood” after the attacks:
@Pontifex berkata: “Untuk Indonesia & Kristiani di Surabaya..kita memohon pada Allah Sang Damai menghentikan kekerasan ini, di hati semua orang tak ada kebencian & kekerasan tapi rekonsiliasi & persaudaraan ” ~ @PEDOMAN_id @Jokowinomics_id #BersatuLawanTeroris #PrayForSurabaya pic.twitter.com/RNDSI2F1V6
— Fadjroel Rachman (@fadjroeL) 13 de mayo de 2018
The Pope said: “To Indonesia and Christians in Surabaya, we asked the Lord of Peace to cease this violence, may there be no hate or violence in people's hearts but reconciliation and brotherhood. #UnitedAgainstTerrorists
President Joko Widodo, who flew to Surabaya hours after the harrowing events took place, appealed for calm and asked for the nation's vigilance and unity in the face of terrorism.
On social media, some Indonesians echoed the call for solidarity:
Before becoming a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist or a Hindu, let's be HUMAN first. Shall we? We came into the world like brother and sister, and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another. Deepest condolences for victims in Surabaya's bombing. #BersatuLawanTerorisme
— erick kusuma (@erick_aka) 13 de mayo de 2018
Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population, the majority of whom practice a moderate Islam. However, there are growing concerns about the influence of groups at home and abroad that aggressively promote intolerant and even violent interpretations of the religion.
A recent survey on intolerance among students conducted by the Wahid Foundation, a research and social empowerment center in Jakarta that supports a plural and peaceful Islam, found that 60% of the 1,626 respondents nationwide said they are willing to go to areas of conflicts if they have the chance, and 68% would consider participating in holy war in the future.
The alleged perpetrator of the three church bombings, Dita Supriyanto, reportedly used his wife and their four children (two teenage boys and two young daughters) in carrying out the attacks. National police chief Tito Karnavian said the family is one of many who returned from Syria after fighting for ISIS.
Some have said Indonesia's current anti-terrorism law is problematic because it doesn't allow police to arrest suspects unless there is an imminent danger or when the attacks have been carried out already. It also doesn't include a formal “deradicalization” process for returnees from Syria. Mohammad Guntur Romli, a journalist-turned-politician, asserted the need to pass new legislation:
Keluarga Pengebom Gereja Surabaya Baru Pulang ‘Sekolah’ dari Suriah https://t.co/vPWyLaBLN5 kalau pake UU Teroris yg lama mrk gabung ISIS gak bisa dijerat, mrk gabung JAD (Jamaah Ansor Daulah) jg tdk bisa dijerat, bikin bom & aksi baru bisa, makanya perlu #PerppuAntiTerorisme
— Mohamad Guntur Romli (@GunRomli) May 13, 2018
The family which bombed the churches in Surabaya were Syrian “alumni”. With current terrorism law, those who joined ISIS can't be charged. They belonged to JAD, so they're off the hook. They can be persecuted only by making a bomb and carrying out the attack. We need #GovernmentRegulationInLieuOfLawOnAntiTerrorism.
Ada sekitar 500 orang #AlumniISIS yg pulang dari Suriah-Iraq yg kini bebas keliaran tanpa proses penahanan & deradikalisasi ini 1 keluarga sdah berhasil ngebom 3 lokasi, ini kondisi darurat makanya perlu #PerppuAntiTerorisme
— Mohamad Guntur Romli (@GunRomli) May 13, 2018
Some 500 ISIS alumni who returned from Syria and Iraq are now roaming free without facing detention and deradicalization process. One family successfully blew up three locations. This is a state of emergency that requires the passage of #GovernmentRegulationInLieuOfLawOnAntiTerrorism.

author: Juke Carolina


text:
Over 100,000 Melburnians march to #ChangetheRules for job security and better wages · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

“Change the Rules” Melbourne Rally on May 9, 2018 – Image courtesy @VanBadham Twitter account
On May 9, 2018, over 100,000 workers and their supporters marched in Melbourne, Australia for more secure jobs and better pay. The rally was part of the Change the Rules campaign, organised by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
The event trended strongly on social media and also appeared in Twitter Moments.
The campaign has emerged in the context of increasingly insecure work, stagnant wages and attacks on wages and conditions. It reflects concerns about growing inequality, the increasing power of big business and revelations that a third of large corporations are not paying any tax.
The union movement also believes that the industrial relations system in Australia is broken and needs a major overhaul. In recent years, union members have faced severe restrictions on the right to take industrial action and the right to strike.
A particular grievance has been the loss of Sunday penalty rates for retail, hospitality and related workers. Penalty rates are higher rates of pay for working at certain times such as weekends, public holidays or extra hours. Sunday pay rates were reduced in 2017 by the Fair Work Commission, the authority responsible for industrial relations.
Much of the credit for the campaign goes to the high profile and controversial leader Sally McManus who became the Secretary of the ACTU in March 2017.
When McManus announced that it can be appropriate to break an unjust law, she captured media attention and gained some admirers from her stance:
#SallyMcManus is to be admired for honestly saying a law should be broken if is unjust #auspol #abc730 #thoreau #qoute #ethics #actu pic.twitter.com/SZnhamwcdj
— Nicholas Nicola (@nicolasnicola22) March 15, 2017
Tasmanian Tom Wise condemned McManus, referring to a sharp decline in union membership in Australia during recent decades:
No wonder workers won't join unions now when Sally McManus says it's ok to break any law you don't like. ACTU is just one big bikie gang.
— twice (@tomwisetas) March 15, 2017
The fall in blue-collar worker numbers had not been matched by the increase in white-collar and professional members. Professor Bradley Bowden explained:
Part of the problem in securing new members for unions is that professional recruitment is largely confined to one cohort: those employed in publicly-funded or regulated industries, such as education and health. In these areas, unions still represent around a third of the workforce.
There has been an upturn in membership since McManus took on the leadership position. Her leadership has received support from progressive websites. In November 2017, the Independent Australia journal discussed her role following the campaign launch:
McManus knows how to work the media when she needs it, but she also knows how to work a room. She speaks quietly, straightforwardly, with no high-flown rhetoric or manufactured passion.
Editor of The Pen, a voice for ordinary people seeking change, reflected on the political implications of the rally, especially for the conservative Federal government:
A turnout of this size is a big blow to Malcolm Turnbull and his government. Nothing could make it clearer that public opinion is shifting decidedly against them, and this is likely to cast a shadow on any sympathy the government might have got from yesterday’s budget.
The Twitter hashtag #ChangeTheRules attracted many who agreed with this.
Activist and commentator Van Badham interviewed Sally McManus during the march:
The great @vanbadham live interviews the leader of @unionsaustralia @sallymcmanus during the Melbourne #ChangeTheRules march while 120,000 people march with them#auspol #ausunions https://t.co/qzWkIUSh2T
— Ben Davison (@ClubeGaffer) May 9, 2018
McManus described a feeling certainly reflected in the celebratory crowd:
this wonderful feeling of togetherness. This is a feeling of union all around, you know, just all the people who feel the same, who want fairness, all prepared to fight for it.
Union members on Twitter proclaimed their pride in the rally:
Proud to be part the rally with my @ASUnion workplace. As a part time worker as well as a freelancer I know the difference working in a unionised industry or not and I'm sick of getting ripped off #changetherules https://t.co/Dy3eH3FIgK
— Ruben (@backtofrontco) May 9, 2018
I've been to rallies that felt like a funeral march. But this was powerful. Every one of the 120,000 ppl on Melbourne's streets today is fired up & ready to #ChangeTheRules! pic.twitter.com/BKn0gaxXJV
— Pat Simons (@prrsimons) May 9, 2018
‘Change the Rules’ events are continuing around the nation.

author: Kevin Rennie


text:
Riddled with violations, Lebanon’s first election in nine years yields underwhelming results for independents · Global Voices
Hassan Chamoun

Volunteers with the list “Kollouna Watani” waiting for the results at their headquarters. Sunday, May 6, 2018. Photo by the author.
On Sunday, May 6, 2018, Lebanese citizens residing in Lebanon voted for a new parliament in their first elections since 2009. The election saw a low turn out (49.2 percent), clashes between parties during and after election day, and thousands of electoral fraud allegations.
Lebanese citizens were supposed to vote in 2013, but the Lebanese parliament controversially extended its own term three times since 2009, citing the ‘security situation’ (referring to the war in neighboring Syria), before creating a new electoral law to inform the 2018 elections.
The new electoral law is based on proportionality and religious representation which means that seats are equally divided between Muslims and Christians in religiously-diverse Lebanon.
Read: Activists Cry Foul as Lebanon Imposes a Tax Hike Right Before Postponing Elections, Again
According to proponents, this would encourage democratic participation, although the fewer-than-50% turnout left many wondering how well that worked out.
LADE (Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections) recorded thousands of election violations, including dozens of cases where volunteers from parties were standing behind the voting booths while voters were casting their ballots, in clear violation of the right to a private vote.
Another video allegedly shows votes being moved out from ballot boxes into an unknown location, under the watchful eyes of a soldier. In Tripoli, Northern Lebanon, a responsible in the Future Movement was filmed giving money to party followers, leading to suspicions he was rewarding voters with cash.
Additionally, LADE reported 222 cases of intimidation or coercion on electors inside or next to the poll centers, 11 cases of bought-out votes, and 34 cases of violence inside and next to poll centers.
The Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA), the local chapter of Transparency International (TI), noted conflicts of interest due to the fact that candidates include 16 ministers of the current Lebanese cabinet. These include the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, who is directly involved in managing the electoral process.
LTA and TI proposed urgent electoral reforms:
call on the government of Lebanon to significantly improve transparency around campaign financing and regulations, including communicating about relevant spending ceilings for each district, publishing financial reports and account information from candidates running for office and making the voting results from every polling station publicly available. Furthermore, LTA calls on the government of Lebanon to prohibit incumbent government ministers from running for future Parliamentary elections.
The Ministry of Interior was late in publishing all the results, including ballots of losing candidates. The final results were posted on the ministry's website on Friday, May 11, five days after the election.
This created confusion for some coalitions, such as the Kollouna Watani (KW) list, one of the lists representing what is called ‘civil society’ in Lebanon, a diverse group of people not linked to ruling sectarian parties.
Joumana Haddad, a parliamentary candidate, is addressing a protest contesting the results of the election in Beirut's First District. Photo by the author.
Joumana Haddad, a candidate with KW running in Beirut's first district for the “minorities seat”, announced her victory after KW and other representatives in other parties preliminary counted the votes and announced that she had won the seat.
But the morning after, when the official results were still not out, another candidate was announced as the winner following a secondary counting process.
According to Kollouna Watani representatives, delegates were removed from a room where ballots were being counted due to an unspecified technical error.
Eyewitness from @kollounawatani_ confirms what's already spreading on social media; namely, it was acknowledged they had two seats in #Beirut, until an ‘IT problem’ arose, their delegates were kicked out the room, and when they came back @JHaddadOfficial no longer had a seat
— Alex Rowell (@alexjrowell) May 7, 2018
Speaking to private TV channel ‘Al Jadeed’, Gilbert Doumit, another KW candidate, reported that the Ministry of Interior brought a lost ballot box into the same counting room from where they were once removed. Ballot boxes are not supposed to go through the Ministry of Interior and must be counted directly at a counting center in Beirut.
Protester holds a rainbow flag with “Joumana is an MP” written on it. Joumana Haddad is openly pro-LGBTQ+ rights. Photo by the author.
Nearly 1,000 people protested in front of the Ministry of Interior the next day, Monday, May 7, contesting the results and protesting against the thousands of violations.
Some held signs reading ‘Joumana is an MP’. The protest turned into a sit-in and blocked one of the main roads in Beirut, which connects Beirut's first district to the second, for hours before ending peacefully.
A day after the protest, Haddad announced on her Facebook page that she intends to appeal the official results.
Despite the strong presence of military and the Internal Security Forces, some clashes and disputes happened throughout the country.
In Beirut, supporters of Hassan Nasrallah's Hezbollah and Saad Hariri's Future Movement clashed, with both yelling sectarian slogans at each other. In Zahle, in eastern Lebanon, Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces followers attacked volunteers with the independent candidates. In Bint Jbeil, a city in southern Lebanon, representatives of Kollouna Watani also reported being harassed by members of dominant parties.
This extended to nominally allied parties. In Nabatieh, followers of Nabih Berri's Amal Movement party followers attacked a convoy of the Lebanese Communist Party. The two parties are technically allies.
Tensions grew higher the day after the election. Riders on scooters carrying Hezbollah and Amal movement flags celebrated by touring some neighborhoods where their presence is minimal, neighborhoods known for having many supporters of the Future Movement.
They chanted sectarian slogans such as “Beirut is now Shia”, as Hezbollah candidates were also elected in Beirut's second district, traditionally a bastion for the Future Movement led by Hariri, a Sunni Muslim and current prime minister. They were also filmed putting a Hezbollah flag on the statue of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister (and current prime minister's father), near the site of his assassination. This was seen as highly provocative as Hariri was a vocal opponent of the Syrian regime, which Hezbollah and Amal support.
Retaliation soon followed these convoys and supporters from opposing parties (notably the Future Movement) attacked the group. These small clashes turned into chaos with some sporadic gunfire but the army, on high alert, intervened and calm was soon restored in Beirut.

author: Hassan Chamoun


text:
Serbia remains silent on cultural heritage devastation by its populist regimes · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Some objects have been preserved. These baton holders, from the Relay of Youth in Yugoslavia, are now on display beside the mausoleum of Josip Broz Tito, in Belgrade. Photo by Ellery Biddle, used with permission.
Serbian art historian Živko Brković has been targeted with threats, which he related to a spate of physical attacks and a burglary — all due to his effort to preserve Serbian artworks of the past.
For many years, Brković has demanded answers from the current Serbian government regarding the alleged mishandling of state-owned artworks. Brković wants to hold Serbia accountable for ‘privatized’ or ‘disappeared’ museum collections in the 1990s under former Serbian president Slobodan Milošević.
Newspaper Danas published an account of pressures faced by Brković who received late-night phone calls to “stop mentioning [Serbian President] Vučić” after he published an open letter about the mishandling of state properties, including converting museums into residences of state officials.
After he reported the incidents to the police, the only help they provided was advice to change his phone number:
Pretnje istoričaru umetnosti Živku Brkoviću, autoru knjige „Šumanović i naša fašizofrenija“, zbog tekstova objavljenih u Danasu
https://t.co/MX6mnd1yOW via @OnlineDanas
— Dnevni list Danas (@OnlineDanas) May 11, 2018
Tweet: Threats against art historian Živko Brković, author of the book “Šumanović i naša fašizofrenija“, because of texts published in “Danas”.
Link: Under attack for criticizing the regime.
Brković was assaulted after the promotion of his critical book Šumanović i naša fašizofrenija (Šumanović and our Fascisophrenia) at the Belgrade Book Fair in October. His personal library, which he kept at his brother’s house, has been burglarized, and many unsold copies of the book have been destroyed by unknown perpetrators.
In Brković's opinion, his big “sin” was that he kept reminding the Serbian public about the mishandling of its cultural heritage, owned by the state and inherited by former Yugoslavia. During Milošević's reign, a museum complex in the area of Dedinje was converted into residences for his family. The three museums in the area contained thousands of priceless historical artifacts, both from the country and gifted to the Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito by governments of other countries.
After Milošević's fall in October 2000, an exhibition of photographs of 500 so-called “lost” works of art put on by the democratic government that briefly held power. However, after the assassination of progressive Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in 2003, Milošević’s cronies crept back into positions of power and the repression of cultural heritage continued.
In a statement for Danas newspaper, Brković emphasizes that current president Vučić was the minister of information in Milošević’s government and that his close associates and political allies also held high government posts:
Ja sam pre svega stručnjak koji to radi i voli, i ne mogu da ćutim na krađe umetničkih stvari pred očima javnosti. Savest mi ne dozvoljava da ćutim. Ne postavljaju se kapitalna pitanja, koliko čega je bilo u Vili „Mir“ i koliko je i gde eksponata nestalo. Tu biblioteku, iz koje je rukopis Gorskog vijenca otišao na Cetinje, niko nikad ne pominje – kaže Brković i dodaje da bi odgovorne u aktuelnoj vlasti trebalo tužiti najpre domaćim a zatim i međunarodnim sudovima.
I am above all an expert who loves his work, and I can’t keep silent about robbery of artworks in plain view of the public. My conscience doesn’t allow me to shut up. Crucial questions are avoided, about the inventory of artifacts in the [former museum] Villa “Mir” (Peace), how many there were, and where the artifacts disappeared to. Nobody mentions its library, which contained the manuscript of Gorski vijenac which left for Cetinje.
Brković added that the responsible people who are now in power “must be sued in domestic and then international courts.”
In a text titled [Mr.] Vučić, give us back our museum, Brković noted:
Sada se vi u toj vili sa svojim gostima šepurite, šetate, uživate odvojeni visokim zidom od eventualnog nekrofilnog zadaha obližnjeg mauzoleja. Nije vas briga gde je monumentalni antički mozaik s kompozicijom lova, gde je sfinga iz Egipta, bronzani šlem iz 7. veka pre nove ere – pokloni kraljeva i vladara Grčke, Egipta, Nepala, Rusije… Bivši muzej je otet, zazidan, a misterija nestalih eksponata nerazrešena. Podsećamo da je na Dedinju, gde je nekad bila strogo zabranjena gradnja privatnih objekata, to odjednom dozvoljeno privilegovanim biznismenima i političarima. Tu je među prvima sagrađena vila Arkana Ražnatovića koja u stilu, eklektici svakog od sedam-osam spratova kopira megalomanska fašistička zdanja Musolinijeve ere.
Now you use the villa for peacockery, strutting and enjoyment with your guests, separated from the possible necrophiliac odor from the nearby mausoleum. You don’t seem to care where in the world is the monumental ancient mosaic with hunting scenes, the sphinx from Egypt, the bronze helmet from the 7th century BCE – all the presents from the rulers of Greece, Egypt, Nepal, Russia… The former museum has been kidnapped, walled off, and the mystery of disappeared artifacts remains unsolved. Let me remind you that construction of private buildings used to be forbidden in the area of Dedinje, however suddenly it was allowed for the privileged businessmen and politicians. Among the first to benefit from this government decision was [war criminal and organized crime figure] Arkan Ražnjatović, whose 7-8 story mansion in its style and eclecticism copies the megalomaniac fascist buildings of Mussolini.
Brković's case is just one instance among many to suffocate free thought in Serbia, where a fragile democracy has been swayed by populism. Serbia is among many countries in Eastern and Central Europe run by right-wing parties affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP) and benefits from the influence of conservative Hungarian ally Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance.
Instead of preserving actual heritage, such governments often invest in creating a revisionist version of history, creating new artifacts presented as the priority.
For instance, in neighboring Macedonia, Vučić’s EPP counterpart Nikola Gruevski (2006-2017) spent hundreds of millions of dollars of Macedonian taxpayers’ money to enforce a policy of “antiquitization”, aimed at proving direct cultural, political and genetic “descent” from the empire of Alexander the Great (336–323 BCE).
This revisionist policy of “national rebirth” included corruption-riddled projects that provided huge kickbacks for ruling party officials and affiliated oligarchs. It comprised public spending on hundreds of new monuments and buildings through the Skopje 2014 project, filming dozens of ideologically biased ‘documentaries’ through the Macedonian Public Broadcasting Service, and establishing almost total control of the academic community.
In a similar manner, Vučić stirs Serbian nationalist sentiments with increasing promotion of the medieval Nemanjić dynasty (1166-1371). This winter, Serbia's public television network started airing a soap opera/television period drama about the dynasty. Serbian authorities announced plans to build a new monumental complex dedicated to emperor Stefan Nemanja.
Similar to the announcement of Skopje 2014 plan in 2009, the one about a new complex in Belgrade presented a 3D model of the plan:
Dobijamo da ne kazem kupujemo nov spomenik….spomenik Stefanu Nemanji pic.twitter.com/NfZLtOTvLn
— The Night Manager (@poskupelePljuge) March 23, 2018
We are getting–or maybe I should not mention it outright–we are bying a new monument… monument to Stefan Nemanja.
Some social media users have raised concerns, pointing to similarities in approach between the current Serbian and former Macedonian regime:
Jel ste videli budući spomenik Stefanu Nemanji?
Jel ste bili u Skoplju? Makedonsko specijalno tužilaštvo vodi nekoliko istraga protiv Gruevskog – ali to neće popraviti Skoplje od koga je napravio grad kiča.
To će se dogoditi Beogradu ukoliko istrage ne počnu pre gradnje. pic.twitter.com/vCgKYP98kd
— Ana (@Marfijeva_kci) March 24, 2018
Have you seen the future monument to Stefan Nemanja? Have you been to Skopje?
Macedonian Special Prosecution Office is conducting several investigations against Gruevski – but that won't repair Skopje which he turned into a city of kitsch. This would happen to Belgrade too unless investigations start before the construction.
Serbian authorities also plan numerous other public works such as fountains and a panoramic wheel (a now-halted part of Skopje 2014 plan with a cost of about 20 million Euros or 23 million USD).
U BG-u biće fontane,panoramski točak,gondola,teretane na otvorenom,igrališta za zabavu.Kao nekad u starom Rimu,dajte plebsu hleba i igara
— PINUP (@BMALENIC) April 24, 2018
In Belgrade they plan building fountains, panoramic wheel, gondola, open air gyms, entertainment complexes. Just like in Ancient Rome, give the plebs some bread and circuses.
In 2017, Macedonia managed to shake off its the Russia-supported populist regime, after a severe political crisis but is still reeling from the divisive consequences of their rule. Meanwhile, in Serbia, Vučić juggles its traditional affiliation with Russia against the prospect of joining the European Union, favored by youth and the urban population.
Vučić’s recent victory in Belgrade local elections further consolidated his power. This resulted in a new wave of pessimism and even apathy among the remaining representatives of the free press and civil society in Serbia.
The case of art historian Živko Brković shows that some public interest issues have been unofficially declared taboo topics, in particular, those related to demands of accountability from an increasingly authoritarian government.

author: Filip Stojanovski


text:
A Beijing-Vatican deal could bolster China’s persecution of religion, warns Hong Kong cardinal · Global Voices
Hong Kong Free Press

Cardinal Joseph Zen at the Vatican. Photo: Facebook/Joseph Zen.
The Vatican and Beijing are reportedly at the final stage of reaching a historic deal on the appointment of bishops in China. The agreement would lead to the resumption of diplomatic ties, which have been suspended for almost 70 years.
However, many have spoken out against rapprochement. Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen is the most vocal Catholic leader protesting against the deal.
Journalist Kris Cheng interviewed Cardinal Zen for a piece published on May 13, 2018 in Hong Kong Free Press. An edited version is republished on Global Voices as part of a partnership agreement.
Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen, 86, is continuing a one-man fight inside the Catholic establishment to oppose a potential deal between the Vatican and China over who can appoint bishops in the officially atheist country.
The agreement between the Vatican and Beijing was reportedly in its final stages in March, though Zen, who is officially an emeritus bishop, has called it a “deal with the devil” and a “complete sellout.” Perhaps in part because of his efforts, the critical voices he inspired, and the ever-harsher suppression of religion in China, the Vatican now says the deal — while still in the works — is not going to be finalized anytime soon.
“I know China. I know the church in China,” Zen, who was born in Shanghai to Catholic parents, said in an interview with Hong Kong Free Press from his home at the Salesian House of Studies on a Hong Kong hillside. “I have worked seven years, spending six months a year from 1989 to 1996 in [government-recognised churches] teaching the seminaries”:
I met so many people, people of the government, people of the church, so I really know the situation. I see how the church is being persecuted, and the bishops are being humiliated. I think nobody else has had such experience.
The Holy See, located in Vatican City, is the top governing body of the Catholic Church and appoints bishops worldwide. However, religions are only allowed to operate in China if under state supervision, so the official Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association rejects the Vatican's authority and chooses its own bishops for the country's 10 million Catholics. An unofficial underground church remains loyal to the Vatican.
The Vatican severed diplomatic relations with China in 1951 over the issue not long after the communist forces claimed victory over the Kuomintang in the Chinese civil war. It does, however, maintain ties with Taiwan, where the Kuomintang forces fled after defeat.
In 2015, it relaunched negotiations with Beijing. Under the proposed deal, the Vatican may make a major compromise to recognise a handful of bishops endorsed by Beijing, including seven who had been excommunicated by the Vatican.
But Zen said that, according to his knowledge, both the Vatican and China have encountered difficulties in reaching the final agreement:
Some are saying maybe now there are difficulties on the Chinese side, because there are people who think that they don't need the agreement, they can control everything. Maybe there are voices in China against the eventual agreement.
You see that there are many actions on the side of the government which show that they are tightening control on religion. And so it's more difficult to understand how the Vatican can come to a deal at this moment […] Any agreement on the side of the Vatican may be seen as collaboration with the government to persecute our own people; that’s terrible.
For instance, new regulations on religious affairs were installed on February 1, 2018, under which minors are banned from entering places of worship.
The cardinal said China's recent amendments to the constitution, such as the removal of the presidential term limit, may also have influenced how the Vatican looked at the issue:
Surely they should take into account also these new things – which are not encouraging any agreement. I really hope that a miracle may happen, the Pope may say we need more time to be more cautious, to consider again. No deal is better than a bad deal.
In January, Zen travelled to Rome to personally give Pope Francis a letter from 88-year-old persecuted Chinese Bishop Peter Zhuang Jianjian of Shantou. Zhuang, a priest loyal to the Vatican but not recognised by China, was one of two bishops asked by the Vatican to step aside for priests excommunicated by the Vatican but accepted by Beijing:
I told him everything. I wrote so many letters. My last letter was very clear, I have the impression that the Pope now is aware of the worries in the church in China, so I don't think I need to see him again or say more things. Maybe now there are some other things which may make the Holy Father more aware that he is not receiving good information from people around him.
Zen has been in a war of words with the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who he said was considering the potential deal like a diplomat, but not from religious standpoints:
I can understand that Pope Francis may not be well informed about the real situation in the church in China, because he comes from South America. But these people like Parolin, they must know very well the situation, so I really cannot understand how are they so enthusiastic to push for a deal, so they may have a wrong objective.
Because from the point of view of Catholic faith, they are not going to achieve anything. Maybe they are more interested in diplomatic success. That's very sad, because they are the collaborators of the Pope, the faith should be the first thing in their mind.
It's very scary. These people – they should understand a lot of things, why do they do this? They are not naive, they are evil.
Zen has found himself with fewer and fewer allies in the Vatican. Savio Hon, a top Hong Kong priest with similar views to Zen against the China deal, used to be in Rome and had direct access to the Pope, but in 2017 was sent to Greece as the Vatican’s representative, despite the fact that he never served in the diplomatic service. Some considered it a punishment.
Cardinal Fernando Filoni, another top priest who worked many years in Hong Kong caring for the church in China, was also cautious of the China deal. But he too was another ally lost, gradually switching towards Parolin's side.
Among the bishops that Beijing reportedly asked the Vatican to recognise, Bishop Joseph Liu Xinhong of Anhui and Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin of Sichuan were two who have children with their girlfriends. It was a violation to the law of celibacy that only unmarried men without children can be priests. Zen called it “ridiculous” that officials in the Vatican claim there isn't hard evidence of that fact.
Zen recalled another case of a Chinese priest who did not observe the law of celibacy, but the Chinese wanted the bishop – who Zen did not name – to be recognised. He said the Vatican conducted an investigation, but the investigator simply reported back the priest's denial. “They just want to cheat themselves,” Zen commented.
China’s situation is often compared to that in Vietnam – another deal brokered by Parolin. In Vietnam, the Holy See proposes a list of bishops to the Hanoi government, and Hanoi makes its choice, before the Pope appoints them.
But Zen said Vietnam has a strong base of Catholic followers, and the government cannot interfere in the church.
“I think that one thing that the Pope may have difficulty to understand is that, with a really totalitarian regime, you have only your spiritual strength,” Zen said.
Zen also said China's case is very different from those of Hungary, Poland and the then-Czechoslovakia, where they have a long history of faith:
Even the collaborators of the government – they could not be that bad. Because they know that they will not be accepted by the people. To be accepted or to be tolerated by the people, they have to be decent [in] some way. But unfortunately, in China, among the bishops in the open church – there are too many collaborators of the government.
Zen said he fears a dela with China may disappoint Catholics in China – both those in “underground” churches and those in government-recognised ones — and lead to serious consequences:
I am very much afraid that some may have some irrational reaction, like a kind of rebellion against the Pope, that would be very unfortunate – I am against any kind of such rebellion. I think that fidelity to the Pope is our bottom line; even if we cannot understand what the Pope is doing, we must obey.
Zen said he believes that it is key for more people to speak up about China's suppression of religious freedom and about the China deal:
Our voice is weak, their voice is strong, it will be good to raise concerns of more people.

author: Hong Kong Free Press


text:
Family-run movie theater in northeast Thailand survives decades of changes · Global Voices
The Isaan Record

The Det Udom Theater has gone through several changes in its six-decade-long history.
This edited article by Jirasuda Saisom is from The Isaan Record, an independent news site in Thailand, and is republished on Global Voices as part of a content-sharing agreement.
A wave of chain movie theaters hosted in shopping malls has swept away most of the independent movie parlors once found in almost every city of Thailand's northeast. But in the region’s smaller towns, stand-alone cinemas like the Det Udom Theater in Ubon Ratchathani Province continue to draw a loyal audience.
Located in the town of Det Udom, about 30 kilometers southeast of Ubon Ratchathani City, the family-run theater has been operating for almost 60 years. Its original wooden theater hall was built in 1959, even before Thailand’s movie theater construction boom took off in the mid-1960s.
The Isaan Record talked to Kittiphong Thiamsuvan, the owner of the Det Udom Theater and a former member of parliament, about the theater’s history and how it survived the competition from large cinema chains.
Can you tell us about the history of the theater?
The movie theater opened its doors in 1959. It was originally named Det Udom Movie Theater. In 1987, I took over the management from my father and changed the name to Det Udom Mini Theater. As we adopted digital movie screening in 2013, we took on a new name again: the Det Udom Theater.
The original movie theater was a wooden structure with corrugated steel walls. The screening halls hosted 800 seats on two floors. There was also a stage for music performances. Back then in 1959, tickets sold for one baht.
In 1997, we demolished the old theater and build a new concrete one with two screening halls. Each hall has 170 seats and tickets used to sell for 30 to 40 baht.
When we moved to digital screenings in 2013, the ticket prices went up to 50 to 80 baht [about 1.50 to 2.50 US dollars].
Back when admission was still one baht, we had about 100 to 500 viewers per screening. Around 1987, the average numbers were even higher but today we don’t get more than 100 people for each screening.
Why have the numbers of cinema goers dropped in recent years?
The economic situation is not good, and the government hasn’t been encouraging people to visit movie theaters. For example, in the past, the government offered free screenings like the King Naresuan movies and films about Buddha. Whether they offer free screening or not always depends on the ideas of the government leaders of each period.
Kittiphong Thiamsuvan inherited the family-business from his father, and took over the management in 1987.
How have you managed to survive amid the competition of large chain cinema companies?
We have been around for 59 years, people know us and we are in a good location. We are the only movie theater in Udom Det District. The next theater is 54 kilometers away; it’s one of the Major Cineplex theaters in a mall.
We have always been adapting to people’s changing tastes. That’s why we redesigned the theater three times. Our business is family-run and our employees are mostly relatives. They can take on different duties at the same time so we don’t have to hire many employees. That’s very economical and we almost don’t have any hiring expenses.
How do you advertise your theater and the movies you screen?
We use advertising boards made of wood and painted with watercolors because they are reusable. Once you’re done with one movie, you can just paint over it for the next one. We don’t like these vinyl banners because they are expensive and get tossed away after. We can’t reuse them. But for very popular movies like Pee Mak Phra Kanong,we do print vinyl advertising banners.
Apart from that, we have trucks driving around with advertising boards and loudspeakers promoting our movies in the villages nearby.
Are you thinking about who will take over the theater after you?
Oh, I don’t think about it. Because when the time comes, the good deeds I have done will show their effect. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at Kasetsart University, and I have been helping people without asking for any compensation.
The land here is worth almost 100 million baht. If we want to develop it further, we could build a new movie theater. It wouldn’t be difficult, and we could possibly use it for another 70 years when the next generation takes over.
But the old cinema still has value, although it wouldn’t sell for much. If you ask if it still is of any benefit: Of course it is! It’s just that Thailand doesn’t care much about old things.
If the country survives these times, people will have to think hard. The leaders will have to think about ways to provide opportunities to the people, and not promote how to go begging for opportunities. That’s because the leaders live off people’s taxes [laughs.]

author: The Isaan Record


text:
Georgia’s protests pit nightlife against nationalists · Global Voices
Eurasianet

Outraged by the police raids on nightclubs, thousands of clubbers and liberal activists took control of the road outside parliament and held an impromptu dance club May 12 and 13. Some wore chamomile flowers in their hair. Photo by Giorgi Lomsadze for Eurasianet.
The following is a partner post from Eurasianet.org written by Giorgi Lomsadze. Republished with permission.
Georgia's fierce culture wars escalated over the weekend after a heavy-handed police raid on a nightclub was followed by a tense standoff between defenders of the capital’s lively, libertine nightlife and radical far-right groups.
A massive police presence barely managed to keep the peace between the two competing demonstrations in central Tbilisi on May 13, as protests against the anti-drug raids on two nightclubs exploded into a larger conflict about personal freedom and national identity.
“We were on the cusp of civil confrontation,” President Giorgi Margvelashvili said at a press conference the following day.
At the center of the conflict was the nightclub Bassiani, which has gained international renown as one of the top clubs in Europe and one of the main draws to the city for hip young tourists from around the world.
In Georgia, Bassiani has been in the vanguard of cultural revolution, helping create an underground of cosmopolitan and progressive youth opposed to the often nationalistic, xenophobic and homophobic environment in the rest of the country. Emphasizing its role in Georgia's culture wars, the club even borrows its name from a famous 13th-century battle.
Over the last several years, a cultural gap has been widening among Georgians. In a relatively short period of time, pockets of the country have dramatically changed: Tbilisi's rapidly developing center is now a playground for liberal young people, with attitudes on sexuality, gender roles, and even diet that are far different than that of the mainstream. Immigrants, including many darker-skinned people from the Middle East, South Asia, or Africa, are now a common sight in Tbilisi. And a growing movement seeks the liberalization of drug laws, albeit focused on marijuana rather than harder club drugs.
This has made some conservative Georgians uneasy, and has led to a backlash, including from a growing militant far-right movement.
The latest confrontation began following a string of deaths of clubgoers, blamed on overdoses of recreational mephedrone-based drugs, earlier in the month.
Police responded in the wee hours of May 12 by storming Bassiani and another club, Café Gallery, dragging partiers out and detaining several. “We … have 20 video clips of drug sales in clubs. We were forced to raid the clubs,” said Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia.
Many criticized the crackdown as a publicity stunt and it later transpired that eight people arrested for possession of drugs were detained outside the club premises, apparently rendering the heavy-handed raids unnecessary.
Outraged by the raids, thousands of clubbers occupied the street in front of parliament on Saturday afternoon. Dancing to electronic music blasting from large speakers, the partier-protesters turned downtown into a dance club for the rest of the weekend. Demanding the resignations of the interior and prime ministers, the protesters held posters reading “Dancing Is Not a Crime,” “Don’t Beat Me, Dance With Me,” and “If We Can’t Go to Bassiani, Bassiani Will Come to Us.”
Demonstration proceeds in front of the Georgian Parliament where protesters dance to electronic music after yesterday's raid on nightclubs #Bassiani #tbilisi pic.twitter.com/mgBAQhOatf
— OC Media (@OCMediaorg) May 12, 2018
Our problem is with the police state… that we have been living in for years and the May 12 raids were another testimony of it,” Beka Tsikarishvili, one of the organizers of the rally who leads the White Noise Movement, a grass-roots coalition pushing for liberalized drug policy, told the crowd.
Prominent European DJs spoke out in solidarity. “Bassiani is my heart, it makes me sad to see my sisters and brothers treated like criminals,” Swedish DJ Joel Mull wrote on Facebook. “Stay strong Bassiani,” said German techno artist Ben Klock.
Things went south on Sunday, when the clubs’ defenders kept up their protests and ultranationalist groups Georgian March and Georgia Idea gathered nearby.
Far-right counter-rally gathered near 9 April Square after being prevented by police from going to the parliament where #Bassiani #CafeGallery protest is being held #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/AQylLaTIts
— OC Media (@OCMediaorg) May 13, 2018
On May 13, far-right groups gathered for a rival rally. They condemned nightclubs as places for drug abuse and sexual deviance. They sang the national anthem, hurled verbal abuse and tried to physically assault the clubbers. Photo by Giorgi Lomsadze for Eurasianet.
The rival camps’ fashions were as far apart as their ideologies, with colorful outfits and piercings dominating one group and close cropped heads the other. Shouting verbal abuse and homophobic slurs, the far-right youth repeatedly tried to break through police cordons as the other side danced and played electronic music in defiance.
“Bassiani [expletive] off!” some in the nationalist camp screamed. “They are just a bunch of drug dealers, sluts and homosexuals,” one far-right activist wearing a mask told Eurasianet at the event.
Rows of regular and riot police formed a human wall between the two rallies on central Rustaveli Avenue. Police used city buses to form additional barriers and had water cannon trucks at the ready in case the confrontation got violent.
Both sides stood their ground until Gakharia, the interior minister, showed up after midnight to apologize for the excessive force used in the club raids.
“Let me begin with apologies,” Gakharia said, promoting peals of applause from one rally and catcalls from the other. “I apologize not just on my personal behalf, but on behalf of any interior ministry officials who may have aggravated you or whose actions put your safety at risk,” he said, offering to sit down with protesters to discuss ways to revise the country's punitive policies on drug use.
The ravers agreed to disperse but police struggled to secure their safe exit. The radical groups became increasingly violent, clashing with police and screaming threats.
Order was eventually restored but questions remain about how to deal with drug use – parliament members promised to produce new drug policy legislation in two weeks – and the growing cultural divide.

author: Eurasianet