text:
Peru: Beyond Politics: ‘Chelita’, Chicharrón and Chess · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón

For most of the year, Peruvian citizens have been dealing with electoral processes. On October 3, 2010, Peruvians went to the polls to elect mayors and regional representatives. Only six months later, on April 10, 2011, the presidential election was held, including a second electoral round which took place last June 5.
Fortunately, Peru has more than elections and politics to offer. Let's take a look at some of the other topics that have been discussed in the Peruvian blogosphere.
The passing of ‘Chelita’
A sad news broke the morning of Tuesday, June 21. The popular and beloved artist Analí Cabrera [es] succumbed to the breast cancer she had been fighting for the past years. She was known as ‘Chelita’ for her character on a popular television show from the 1980s called ‘Risas y Salsa [es]’ (Laughs and Salsa), where she played the role of a secretary whose boss tried uselessly to seduce her.
During the 1990s, she had an aerobics TV show, and after it was revealed that she had cancer, Chelita gave motivational speeches to women struggling with the same disease. This is how some bloggers shared the news:
Luis Vigil, the blogger of Mejor hablar de ciertas cosas… [es] (It's better to talk about some things…) republishes:
La actriz Analí Cabrera, quien padecía de cáncer, falleció esta madrugada a los 51 años de edad, causando una gran consternación entre quienes disfrutaron de su talento y de un personaje que tenía impregnado en la piel y la memoria de todos los peruanos: “Chelita”.
[…]
Su personaje, la dulce secretaria “Chelita”, se ha convertido en uno de los clásicos de la televisión peruana y seguramente, volverá eterno, el recuerdo de Analí Cabrera, una batalladora mujer que lucho a brazo partido contra la muerte.
51 year old actress Analí Cabrera, who was a cancer patient, passed away this morning, causing profound consternation among those who enjoyed her talent and that character she had impregnated on her skin and in the memories of every Peruvian: “Chelita”.
[…]
Her character, sweet secretary “Chelita”, has become a classic of Peruvian TV and will surely become a timeless  memory of Analí Cabrera, a fighting woman who struggled tooth and nail against death.
President Alan García went to her funeral and said “she was the girlfriend everyone wished to have”. On Twitter, hashtags #Chelita and #AnaliCabrera have been created for updates.
Gastronomy
In other news, the Ministry of Agriculture declared the third Saturday of June as ‘Chicharrón Day’. Chicharrón is made out of pork rinds and is very popular in Peru, especially as part of what is called a ‘criollo breakfast’. Group blog Paradero Perú reports [es]:
Chicharrón. Image by Derrick S. on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
Mediante una Resolución Ministerial publicada el día de hoy en el diario “El Peruano”, se ha declarado el tercer sábado de junio de cada año como el “Día del Chicharrón de Cerdo Peruano”.
[…]
El Ministro de Agricultura, Jorge Villasante, ha dado luz verde a la solicitud de la Asociación Peruana de Porcicultores, quienes en el marco de su 25 aniversario, hicieron la petición de nombrar un día como el “Día del Chicharrón de Cerdo Peruano”, al ser un plato típico de nuestras tres regiones, y símbolo de nuestra gastronomía.
Through a ministerial resolution published today in newspaper “El Peruano”, [the Government] has declared the third Saturday of June as “Day of Peruvian Pork Chicharrón”.
[…]
The Minister of Agriculture, Jorge Villasante, gave the green light to the request from the Peruvian Association of Pigfarmers, who because their 25th anniversary, asked to appoint a date as the “Day of Peruvian Pork Chicharrón”, as it is a typical dish of our three regions, and a symbol of our gastronomy.
As another token of how fond Peruvians are of their food, the country is about to celebrate “National Day of Cebiche”. Cebiche is considered one of the main seafood dishes in Peru.
The blog Peru Inside [es] writes about this important member of Peruvian gastronomy:
Peruvian Cebiche, with choclo and cancha. Image by David and Katarina on Flickr (CC BY 2.0).
El 28 de Junio es el Dia Nacional del Cebiche, la asociación ARMAP y Javier Vargas gestor del día, invita a compartir este momento en familia.
[…]
No olvides la fecha 28 de Junio del 2011 en el Centro Comercial MEGA PLAZA.
Sigue el Facebook de CEBICHE PERÚ – DIA NACIONAL DEL CEBICHE – CLICK.
June 28 is National Day of Cebiche, association ARMAP and Javier Vargas, driving force behind the date, invite you to share this moment along with the family.
[…]
Don't forget the date, June 28, 2011 at MEGA PLAZA Shopping Center.
Follow us on Facebook, CEBICHE PERÚ – DIA NACIONAL DEL CEBICHE – CLICK.
Sports
On the subject of sports, we have good news coming from the Female Junior National Volleyball team: on Tuesday, June 22, they were crowned champions of the Panamerican games for their category. The games were held in Lima.
Ver fútbol en vivo [es] leaves aside football for a while and says:
En un comienzo las dirigidas por Natalia Málaga se vieron superadas por las visitantes, que fueron más rápidas y contundentes y se llevaron el primer set por 25-18, sin embargo en el segundo set las cosas cambiaron, las peruanas mejoraron su juego y lograron llevárselo por 29-27 en un emocionante final.
Finally, teen chess player Deysi Cori won the Women's Continental Chess Championship, held in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The blog Brújula.pe [es] quoted Deysi:
“Estoy muy contenta y orgullosa. Esta victoria es producto del esfuerzo y la preparación que vengo recibiendo. La preparación con Grandes Maestros en Argentina viene siendo muy importante para mi carrera y la de mi hermano. Hemos mejorado nuestro juego y sé que puedo lograr más victorias. Quiero dejar el nombre del Perú en alto y traerles más triunfos”, expresó la ajedrecista peruana tras el triunfo.
Image of Deysi Cori from July 2010, by Federació d'Escacs Valls d'Andorra on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
Not everything has been politics (nor football) in Peru lately.

author: Gabriela García Calderón


text:
Peru: Women in Iquitos Protest High Levels of Aluminum in Water · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

A recent report shows that the levels of aluminum in the water consumed by the people of Iquitos is above what is permitted. Global Voices writer and Spanish Translation Manager, Juan Arellano, explains [es] the situation and shares photos of a protest organized by different women's organizations.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Silvia Viñas


text:
Russia: Fire at Toxic Waste Disposal Site Near St. Petersburg · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

St. Petersburg-based LJ user timoha-spb and Twitter users @Zak_r2 and @theproof are among those who are posting photos [ru] of smoke from the fire at the Krasnyi Bor toxic waste disposal site.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


text:
Russia: Rodric Braithwaite’s “Afgantsy” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

In Moscow's Shadows writes about Rodric Braithwaite's Afgantsy: The Russians in Afghanistan, 1979-89, a “new study of the Soviet war on Afghanistan.” OpenDemocracy.net published exclusive excerpts from the book in April – here and here.


text:
Russia: Yelena Bonner, Andrei Sakharov’s Widow, Dies · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Vladimir Kara-Murza of World Affairs‘ Spotlight on Russia and Vadim Nikitin of Foreign Policy Association‘s Russia blog write about Andrei Sakharov's  widow Yelena Bonner, who died in the United States on June 18.


text:
Slut Walk is Besharmi Morcha in India · Global Voices
Sanjukta

This post is part of our special coverage Global Development 2011 and SlutWalks 2011.
Slut Walk, a fresh feminist movement that originated from Toronto Canada in April this year, and had been taking rounds of various western cities like, London, Melbourne, Brisbane, Montreal, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Hamilton, San Diego and Vancouver and few others, is now coming to New Delhi, the Indian capital. Scheduled for late July Delhi will be the first Asian city to hold a slut walk.
In India this has been a season of protests and campaigns with two colossal figures, spiritual leader Baba Ramdev and Gandhian Anna Hazare both going onto fasting persuading the Government of India to take actions against corruption and other such rots in the system.
Hundreds protest in Canada against a Toronto Police Officer who claimed "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." Image by Natalie A., copyright Demotix (03/04/11).
The mainstream media in India plays a huge role in making or breaking these campaigns, and the Slut Walk seems to be their current favorite. Several news and views have been floated all across the mainstream media. Almost every major newspaper or magazine have carried a related story.
The bloggers community however has not been so vocal about the movement. From the random buzz one hears on the social media one would imagine Slut Walk Delhi is the most important topic that citizens are talking about. Most of the buzz is created by sharing, forwarding, retweeting and liking the content created by mainstream media.
On Youth Ki Awaz, a collaborative youth blog, Alam Bains wrote in support of the movement:
The Slut Walk is a good initiative and is addressing an important issue but what is required to make movements like these successful is sensitizing the society. Women should be respected and so should their rights to live their life the way they want.
Vidyut at Aam Janata has been writing consistently on the topic. In her first post on the topic she said she had been waiting for the movement to come to India:
We need a slutwalk to happen in every city, town, village and locality. We need a slutwalk happen each time a woman steps out on the street. It is going to be a long journey to change minds, to create that space for the dignity of being a person and expecting safety as a right. To getting people to realize that no matter how a woman dresses, she is a person, and she has a right to say “no”.
In her following post Vidyut addressed the criticism against the naming of the movement, why call it ‘slut’ walk? “It is not just the word slut. It is an attitude.” She says and hopes that this movement will shame the attitude not the word.
Chandni at Bohemian Rhapsody wrote that the reason some people are reacting negatively to the name of the movement is because they are thinking from a patriarchal mindset which believes women are devoid of sexuality.
And yet, one of the first reactions is discomfort with the word slut.  Why use that word for the protest?
Why not, I ask you? Can’t you look past it? The women first – Is it embarrassing? Uncomfortable? Derogatory? Would you be more comfortable holding your head high and walking in this protest if it were called “Nari mukti morcha” or “women against rape” or something?  Say the word. Slut. Think about it. Why does it make you squirm?
And the men – Is it amusing? Inviting? Does it bring forth visions of promiscuous women dying to get laid, lining up for your viewing pleasure? The ultimate fantasy, eh?
Womens’ sexuality anyone? Oh, that doesn’t exist.
That is exactly why it is a good thing. Reclaiming the word. Repeating again and again “STOP BLAMING THE VICTIM AND HER CLOTHES”. It is as simple and as basic as that.
At least 200 people participated in the Slut Walk Brazil, inspired by a protest in Canada in April, by women struggling against violence and the right to wear the kind of clothes they like. Sao Paulo, Brazil. Image by Andre M. Chang, copyright Demotix (04/06/11).
In spite of being an instant hit amongst the young urban youth hundreds and thousands of who have shown their support by joining the event’s Facebook page or by tweeting or putting up status messages, the movement have been continuously facing criticism due to its name.
I have written in my personal blog that the problem with the word slut is not because of the shame attached to it, but because of its lack of significance in the Indian context.
‘Slut’ – the word entered Indian people’s vocabulary through international movies and TV series as part of the cultural change that took place post the cable TV.
To begin with the word is not in common use. [..] I believe ‘slut’ as an abuse is a recent entry and is mostly in use amongst the upper class English speaking urban youth.
We never used the word ‘slut’ in the same way, so what are we reclaiming? Who are we reclaiming it from? Why do we have to reclaim it when most people in Delhi do not even know what it means? And if the point of the event is only to say that we never asked for it, then you don’t have to call it Slut Walk just because that phrase sparked interests in other countries.
I also think that this idea of importing a western movement without first putting it in the local context is very Eurocentric.
Christine Pemberton an expatriate of Indian origin living in New Delhi, speaks from her 70’s feminist heart:
I hope to God I am wrong, but I have visions of men taking photographs of these girls, ogling them, trying to touch them – and not getting the point at all.
To be blunt, I don’t think Delhi is ready for this kind of in-your-face protest.  Sad, but true.
Kuber Sharma wrote in MustBol, a youth led community blog, that there is no need to label oneself as slut to make protest. Kuber also mentioned that the word is not in use in India so the people on the street wouldn’t know what this protest is all about.
Reena has  compiled an informative list of tweets on the topic.
Slut Walk came to London as thousands of women marched demanding the right to wear what they choose. UK. Image by Upstream And Me, copyright Demotix (11/06/11).
Journalist Seema Goswami wrote on her blog that this idea of allowing women whatever and however little they want to wear and not be prepared for the consequences is nothing but double standard. And that we wouldn’t be so comfortable in allowing men to sexualize their surrounding the same way some women want to.
So, let’s take a step back and allow men to put their own flesh on display if they feel so inclined. They can whip off their shirts at the office; show the crack of their bums on the streets; and go dancing in nightclubs sporting just their underwear. Yes, I agree, it won’t be long before the women start crying foul.
You turned yourself into an easier target because of your actions – and you have to take the rap for that. Every choice we make has consequences; and we have to keep those consequences in mind every time we make a choice.
Seema Goswami’s criticism like many others is based on the premise that the very nature of the campaign is objectionable. Whereas my criticism is rather with the name of the event.
Last week the event organizers attempted to contextualize the movement by renaming it as Slut Walk Delhi arthaat Besharmi Morcha. But the desi version of the movement has fewer takers. When a question was posted on the event’s facebook page asking people what they thought of the new name, the responses were self revealing: (I have posted in my blog some of the screen shots of these Facebook responses)
“Besharmi Morcha is for ‘illiterate’ people who don’t know the meaning of slut. Slut walk is appropriate and sophisticated”
“Not at all. It is absolutely inappropriate…Don’t degrade the level of the parade”
“This punch line is not appropriate this will actually lower down the standards…”
“Slut walk is so ‘cool,’ besharmi whatever sounds gay!”
They (young campaign supporters) don’t have a proper understanding of either feminism or violence against woman or activism. They don’t know the ground realities; they don’t care about making a real change. They just jumped the wagon because Slut Walk sounded like the next cool import from the west after MTV.
That said, however the new name does seem like hitting where it hurts. A Hindi name make it rude, rustic and more importantly real. A real name was required for such an in your face campaign.
On the new name Vidyut wrote,
Not many Indians understand “Slut”, but being called besharam (shameless) is a fact of life for many of us. I’m extra thrilled because the name now includes in its meaning the lack of shame in being a woman. And that being a good thing – as in – nothing to be ashamed of.
It remains to be seen how many girls and women actually come forward to this scheduled Slut Walk or Besharmi Morcha. The event was originally announced for 25 June but have now been postponed to July end for better planning. The event is likely to create a age divide and class divide amongst the feminist movement, if at all it can be seen as a step in the feminist movement. So far the traditional feminist organizations have kept quiet over the topic and no organization have been directly involved with the event.
This post is part of our special coverage Global Development 2011 and SlutWalks 2011.

author: Sanjukta


text:
South Korea: Slut Walk in Seoul, Protesting Against Sexual Violence · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

Several students have staged one-person  “SlutWalk” protests at Korea University’s front gate, demanding the school expel three male students from its medical school on  charges of sexually assaulting a drunken  female student during a  school trip. South Korea's Wiki Tree site posted photos [ko] of the protests.

author: Lee Yoo Eun


text:
Syria: “It Feels as if Syria is Two Countries – With Two Different Realities” · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.
CNN has officially been granted access to Syria and Arwa Damon is tweeting from Damascus, three months after protests calling for the overthrow of the Assad regime started. Syria shut its doors to Arab and international media after the start of the protests and the world has to choose between reports on social media or statements and coverage from Syrian government officials.
Here are some of Damon's first impressions.
Four hours ago, she tweeted:
CNN has officially been granted access to #syria. am in damascus…off to meet govt minder who accompanies us on all shoots
And a few minutes ago, she updated us saying:
we visited the area around old damascus t'day…nearly surreal contrast w/images of suffering we've been seeing from other parts of #syria
Damon says some Syrians were angry with what they described as the West meddling in Syria:
quite a few people angrily approached us saying US & west have no business meddling in #syria
She continues:
govt says only targeting armed grps & officials ask us why world so focused on 10K #syria refugees when US-led iraq war displaced millions?
and observes:
its feels as if #syria is 2 countries w/ppl living in 2 different realities.
She concludes:
we asked to be taken on friday (tomorrow) to the areas where the demo's usually happen…let see if request is granted. #syria
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera International‘s Rula Amin has been tweeting regularly from Syria since the beginning of the protests. It seems there are no other ‘official’ international Press tweeting from Damascus at this time.
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


text:
Syria: “We Support Bashar and Want the World to Leave us Alone”  · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.
Everybody hates Bashar El-Assad. Syrian men hate him. Syrian women hate him. Even a middle-aged American man who sees himself as a lesbian Syrian girl, hates him. But, isn't it possible that some Syrians do not really hate him as much as we assume?
I had never stumbled upon a netizen supportive of the Al Assad regime before until a few days ago when we were contacted by a Syrian who lives in Canada accusing Global Voices’ coverage on Syria of being one-sided, tilted with the international media in the anti-Assad camp.
Street poster featuring Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Image by Flickr user watchsmart (CC BY 2.0).
He said we have to shed some light on the other part of Syria that the media usually ignores, and to bring voices of people there who have a different point of view. He was even kind enough to help us find some of those users on Twitter who were separated from us by the law of “Six Degrees of Separation“.
In fact, no time is better to measure the Syrians’ sentiments like that after a speech given by Al Assad on June 20, 2011, so we went to see what do those who support him had to say.
Dina Jaffary, who is a Syrian living in Damascus, shared her opinion about the speech:
@DinaJeff: I liked the speech,, very reasonable, logical and transparent, didn't expect less, or more.
@DinaJeff: 4 those who were expecting 1 speech 2 turn z country upside down, u need 2 get off twitter, a/ hang out w/ real ppl more often.
Shadi Hijazi, who has done his Ph.D. in Business Administration, added that millions of the Syrians went to the streets in support of Al Assad. The marches came during and after the president's declaration for amnesty for many citizens:
@shadi: Millions to the streets of #Syria supporting president Assad, and another pardon for crimes committed before 20/06/2011
Sate Hamza is not really pleased with those foreigners who speak for the Syrians and are critical to the speech:
@sate3: If you're not Syrian & didn't find anything positive in the #AssadSpeech, don't even bother; it's none of your business.
Hamza's tweet rings a bell how both social and traditional media might sometimes ignore the geographic location of the news sources, and might even amplify some voices at the expense of others:
@moshebli: 5 people from my friends like the Syrian revolution page…4 Lebanese, and 1 Syrian :S (I've got many Syrian friends btw)
@DinaJeff: for those who think that Twitter is the real deal, and the source of all news…Gee, u need to go out there and get a life! like a real one!
And when it comes to traditional media, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya are the most widespread news channels in the region and they for sure are being blamed for their coverage, which according Mohamed Shbeeb, Oulabi and Nai is also one-sided:
@Mhd_Shbeeb: Where are @AJALive & @Alarabiya from those rallies of Millions ??? Syria is safe, & always will be :)
@Nye30: Jazeera doesn't broadcast the millions who want the president but the hundreds who don't?! Lek tfeh. [How stupid!]
@ooulabi: It's becoming clear that the Syrian “revolution” is being led by the Media not the people. #Syria #Aljazeera
Also foreign media outlets are being blamed:
@moshebli: You can't watch foreign news agencies and AJA and believe what they say about what the people want, because the story is one sided #syria
Ghassan, who is a medical student living in Lebanon, believes that the whole Arab Spring is a Western invention:
Dina – who doesn't believe in coincidences – and RK believe there is a plot to spread chaos in the region:
@3plus1twtr: Everybody wants change. Some want anarchy. And the “some” are ruining it for “everybody.”
Deek El-Gen adds that Saudi Arabia is partnering with the United States in this plot:
@deekelgen963: Iraqi friend: i am not a fan of Bashar but i am convinced he will be forced out of office because Saudi Arabia n US have other plans for Syria.
However Oulabi slightly disagrees with them as he sees the situation in Syria is different from that in Egypt and Tunisia:
@ooulabi: The difference between the revolutions in Egypt/ Tunisia with Syria is that there is no full out majority support for change in #Syria
And since the Syrian regime and that of Iran are in some sort of alliance, the Iranians are being accused that they intervene in Syria, and the Syrians who support Al Assad on the other hand are accused of being Iranian traitors. Some of those accusations borrow terms from history books though:
@ooulabi: Yet to see any proof of Iranian or Hezbollah fighters involved in all this, this has to be the best joke ever.
And finally, Moshebli wrote asking people around the world to leave them alone:
@moshebli: A message to the people of the world. The majority of Syrians are with their president, so leave us alone!
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.

author: Tarek Amr


text:
Thailand: Abandoned skyscraper · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

dr-hank-snaffler-jr writes about an abandoned skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand. The building was not completed when the 1997 Asian financial crisis severely hit Thailand.

author: Mong Palatino


text:
Ukraine: Hanna Sinkova’s Case; Yanukovych’s Prejudicial Comments · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Foreign Notes posts an update on Hanna Sinkova's case and concludes: “In matters of law Ukraine frequently seems closer to Tehran than Europe.” He also highlights some “jarring prejudicial comments” made by Ukraine's President Victor Yanukovych during his visit to Europe.


text:
Vietnam: Fake hotel reviews? · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Nick Ross suspects that boutique hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam are faking online reviews.


text:
Vietnam Revolutionary Journalism Day 2011 · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Adam Bray blogs about the Vietnam Revolutionary Journalism Day 2011 celebration. He also notes how several newspapers have been loyally reproducing state propaganda.


text:
Zambia: Chiluba Funeral Donation Call Raises Eyebrows · Global Voices
Gershom Ndhlovu

Zambian netizens have received an appeal by their government to donate money towards an estimated US$1 million towards the funeral costs of the late former president Frederick Chiluba with incredulity considering that barely two and half years ago there was massive abusive of resources towards the funeral of the then incumbent president Levy Mwanawasa.
The government declared Chiluba’s funeral a state funeral like those of people serving at the position of deputy minister, minister and higher positions or have served in these positions in the past. Ordinarily, the government foots most, if not all, of the associated bills.
Former Zambian president Dr Frederick Chiluba after being acquitted on six charges of embezzling US$ 500,000.  Photo by Harrison Tuku, copyright Demotix (16/08/09).
In typical Zambian tradition, donations include money and materials such as food. In the case of Chiluba, nearly all Zambians old enough to understand a bit of politics knew him. Naturally, an appeal to help towards his funeral would attract the attention of businessmen, companies and other well-wishers to generously donate towards the funeral.
For the business fraternity, to be seen to be donating to such a cause has two-fold benefits for them. One, it is an opportunity to advertise themselves and two, it ensures that they appear in good books with the ruling government in the hope that they could get favours. For ordinary citizens struggling to put food on the table, it is simply another tax.
Governmnet spokesman and Minister of Information Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha was quoted by the Lusaka Times saying government needed about K4.6 billion or about US$1 million, for the funeral, saying it had so far raised between K2 billion and K2.5 billion.
He said the money would go towards the burial and accommodate administrative and logistics for the funeral and that it was for this reason that government was appealing for financial and material support from well-wishers.
As expected, Gen Shikapwasha’s announcement did not go down well with readers:
Commenting on the announcement,Wanya Wanya says:
I said it, filefwaya ukulyamo (they want a cut). How on earth can a funeral cost a million dollars, in Zed (Zambia)?
The questions keep coming The Kimbaguist says:
Where will this colossal sum come from? Was it ‘budgeted’ for? Make it simple folks! Cut down on allowances for all those attending the funeral. Are you feeding the entire Lusaka population? Already some Ministers are finishing their projects and mansions from these funeral proceeds. That is sick!
A contributor mockingly urges people to contribute to the funeral costs because government has not even found the money for June as at times government employees go without pay for several weeks. mweembe says:
hey rich folks, just contribute, the govt needs this money like yesterday. as at now, they ve not yet transfered june salaries for civil servants, the govt really needs this money for our salaries. not the funeral. funeral will be covered from interest from bahamas.
Another contributor, Pepecho Suffering, raises the issues of the source of money government says it has raised:
The government has so far raised between 2billion and 2.5billion zmk……
What are u saying Mr Big nose? is this tax payers money or just contributions from well wishers?If it is tax payers money,did we plan how it should be used?spending is not an issue but people should learn to account for every Ngwee spent!! not the way things where done during Mwanawasa’s funeral.
Former President of Zambia Frederick Chiluba greeting supporters in Lusaka, Zambia. Photo courtesy of Lusaka Times.
Early last year, a government audit report of how money was spent during the funeral of President Mwanawasa who died two years into his second term of office in 2008. Apart from building an expensive mausoleum with the help of the Chinese government in central Lusaka, the MMD government flew the body to eight of the provincial centres outside Lusaka.
Zambian Watchdog reported at the time that the Auditor General Anna Chifungula had stated that the K20 billion (about US$5m) that was released by the Ministry of Finance to cater for late president Levy Mwanawasa’s medical and funeral expenses in 2008 was irregularly spent and unaccounted for by some spending agencies.
In her report on public accounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2008, Chifungula stated that during the period under review unvouched expenditure was the most common irregularity. The audit report stated in part: “A total amount of K1, 030, 904, 720 was paid to Ministry of Works and Supply to procure various goods and services for the funeral of the late President. Out of the total amount released, the ministry spent K759, 852, 000 for the procurement of mattresses, carpets, coffee tables and chairs for which no disposal details were available.”
At that time people were not happy with what the audit report exposed as shown by the comments left on the post below:
THE SAINT wrote:
This is a damning report. We all suspected that the late President’s funeral was a hiatus for syphoning of public funds and now it is clear that it was so. “Payment vouchers were either missing, inadequately supported or unacquitted” is the story of how the Zambian government has been spending money. Year on year the AG, even from the days of Kaunda, reorts about misuse of tax payers money but nothing is done about the culprits… Perhaps we should all refuse to pay tax if our money is being misused until someone is taken to task for this loss. May I humbly ask the President to ensure that people are prosecuted for this. Surely, this is worse than pornography. This theft robs the poor people of the services that could have bettered their lives. But having said that, may I also suggest that we should do away with these expensive funerals. Why do Zambians, especially the older generation (above 60s), pay so much attention to funerals. It is like people would rather sit on their back sides for zonks mourning the dead while absent from productive activities that bring food on the table. K20 billion spent on a dead man! Forgive me for this, but I cannot stomach this waste. This is just under £3 million! This would have equiped UTH with a Magnetic Resonance scanner, another state of the art CT scanner and upgraded the Intensive care unit with 5 state of the art beds! All was spent on a dead man, whose estate could have paid for his own good funeral. I am appaled!
The contributor below spoke to soon! Barely just over a year after writing this, President Chiluba was dead and government was talking billions of Kwacha for his funeral and asking for donations from citizens:
Volcanologist wrote:
Taking advantage of a dead man to make money, shame. The culprits must be brought to book and prosecuted. Its unheard of, its not our culture to do what they did. Am disappointed. And who said a funeral can cost that much,K20 billion. This is serious and hoping to have our heads of state die in retirement and not when in office
On Twitter, @missbwalya is shocked that $1m is needed for the funeral:
$1m needed for late president Chiluba's funeral. C'mon
people let's get serious! #Zambia
@GNdhlovu asks:
What are legal provisions of a state funeral as in specific
Act? #Chiluba #Zambia.
@Thembinkosi wants to know if the government is building Chiluba a pyramid:
They building him a bloomin pyramid? RT @missbwalya: $1m
needed for president Chiluba's funeral. C'mon people let's get
serious! #Zambia
@OtienoHongo wonders if they government is airlifting him to heaven:
RT @OtienoHongo: #Africa RT @missbwalya: $1m needed for
late president Chiluba's funeral! #Zambia < << Are they airlifting him
to heaven?
@stretchdj says that funerals are expensive:
Trying to be as objective as possible about the #chiluba
funeral. Funerals are expensive. We spent K20m on my late sisters
send-off.
The ink on last year’s audit report that exposed the abuse of resources at the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s funeral is not even dry yet and the nation is again mourning a former president, but soon another audit report will likely expose more abuse of resources during the grieving period.

author: Gershom Ndhlovu


text:
A Syrian Solution for North Korea · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

Libyan and Syrian cases are significant to North Korea's possible change by exhibiting how quickly ruthless totalitarian regimes can become unstable in the face of resistance, wrote Joshua from the One Free Korea.


text:
Africa: Maker Faire Africa 2011 : Cairo, Egypt · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Maker Faire Africa 2011 is here: “Maker Faire Africa is pleased to announce our 3rd event, ‘Maker Faire Africa 2011 : Cairo‘ which will take place in Egypt, October 6-8th, 2011.  Join us once again as we continue to cultivate  new and existing maker communities across Africa.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


text:
Barbados: The Warner Effect  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Barbados Underground comments on Jack Warner's FIFA resignation: “Warner is generating ‘heat’ which is not doing T&T and the wider Caribbean any favour in the international arena. All the world waits to hear if the sordid details arising from the Fifa Ethics Report will be leaked to the media. Worrying is the fact many questions are being asked about whether Barbados football representatives accepted USD40 grand.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


text:
Belarus: Police Crack Down on Minsk Protest · Global Voices
Alexey Sidorenko

A non-violent rally in Minsk, organized via Vkontakte, a Russian social network popular in Belarus and other former Soviet states, ended up with more than 450 people detained. Arrests, trials and numerous detentions, however, do not appear to have stopped the protesters.
Non-violent rally organized online
The day chosen for the rally was June 22, 2011, 19:00 (dubbed with a Twitter hashtag #2206v1900).
So, #Minsk? How about having it like this? – June 22, 2011, photo of the rally by Anton Motolko at Twitpic
Several Vkontakte groups were set up in order to organize the protest actions; “Movement of the Future” [ru] was the most popular one, with nearly 214,000 members.
The police, however, not only prosecuted the groups’ moderators, but were also inviting [ru] ordinary members (those they could find) to ‘preventive conversations,’ during which they tried to discourage people from participating in the rallies.
The government goes online as well
The Belarusian regime, in addition to using violence, censorship, and prosecution, chose not to ignore Twitter as well. Back in April 2011, the Belarusian Ministry of the Interior launched [ru] its @mvd_by [ru] account, and the Minsk Police Department (@GUVD_Minsk [ru]) followed suit.
Throughout the rally, both accounts were tweeting actively, discouraging those planning to participate, arguing [ru] that any Internet-organized revolution was in direct violation of the Belarusian laws. @GUVD_Minsk directly addressed (and probably promoted) [ru] its nemesis:
#1.Кто собирается «на плошчу», обратите внимание на посты @InternetRevolt – он в открытую подстрекает вас, но отвечать придется вам!
In particular, the Ministry warned people about possible administrative charges for participating in unsanctioned protests, advised them against trying to film the events with their cell phones and engaging with police officers, and suggested that everyone bring their passports along.
The authorities’ Twitter recommendations, however, have failed to keep the people from joining the protests.
The coverage of #22o6v1900
According to Reuters, nearly 1,000 people gathered for the June 22 rally in Minsk. The following YouTube videos were collected in a Storify post by GV Author Asteris Masouras:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1FzXMr2qeo
The rallies were covered by many bloggers and online media. Among the most popular photo reports were those made by Minsk-based Anton Motolko (@motolko [ru]), euroradio.by [ru].
Blogger toxaby published [ru] posts showing special police units seizing activists. He emphasized that the police had violated the Belarusian penal code, and translated the relevant article of the penal code into several languages.
Police officers about to capture a young man walking peacefully. Photo by LJ user toxaby
“The beginning of the end”?
In a lengthy post, Pyotr Kuznetsov, the coordinator of “For the Freedom” movement, explained [ru] the significance of the non-violent rally held on June 22:
Во-первых, власть к такому повороту событий не готова, не способна предложить (навязать?) свой сценарий, и поэтому находится в прострации, до сих пор не определившись со своей линией поведения. […]
Во-вторых, власть явно не обладает достаточными физическими ресурсами для подавления движения в масштабах всей страны, и это тоже – стратегический козырь недовольного народа.
И, в-третьих, используя современные средства коммуникации и социализации, организаторы акции поставили власть и спецслужбы в положение заранее проигрывающих: невозможно ногами сотрудников КГБ опередить молниеносное информационное воздействие Интернета.
First, the authorities weren't ready for such a turn of events, they were unable to propose (or to impose?) their own scenario, and that's why they are in limbo, still unsure of how to behave. […]
Second, the regime obviously doesn't have enough physical resources to suppress a nationwide movement, and this is also a strategic trump card of the unsatisfied people.
And, third, by using the contemporary means of communication and socialization, the organizers of the action have put the government and the special services into a position of losers by default: the KGB agents simply cannot forestall the lightning-fast informational impact of the Internet.
My own Facebook friend, Volia Ch., explained the situation much more succinctly:

author: Alexey Sidorenko


text:
Colombia: Video Mapping the City to Hip Hop · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

In just four days, a creative cast of characters got together in the city of Medellin where they set out to produce videos and place them on a map of the city to reflect topics that affect the communities such as militarization, poverty, forced displacement, crimes of state and resistance movements.
Creative Commons 3.0 By/SA/NC hackitectura.net 2010
As Pablo from the Hackitectura collective who ran the workshop, explains:
Los temas que tratamos en los videos fueron el resultado del contexto en el que nos movimos: militarización, pobreza, desplazamiento forzoso de población, crímenes de estado, resistencias… Estas duras realidades constrataban con la política institucional de construcción de la idea de “Medellin Digital”, con algunas muy buenas políticas públicas en marcha como los parques biblioteca de recien construcción.
The workshop was organized within the  LabSurLab  initiative by the Museum of Modern Art of Medellín (MAMM). As the participants settled on a project related to geomapping videos, they decided that instead of using existing footage they would record new material. So out they went to the San Javier area where the infamous Orion operation took place several years ago, to the hills of Moravia where displaced Colombians made their homes only to be relocated once again and in downtown Medellin, where students took to the streets in marches and demonstrations to ensure the continuity of the public Antioquia University.
The next videos are the results:
Colectivo Platohedro went to Moravia [es], an area of the city where in the past internally displaced families turned to as a possible haven, only to find out that the government had the zone destined for a landfill. The garbage piled up until the government realized that there were more than 15,000 people living in the area, and the state's efforts in relocating them were not being fruitful.
Only a handful of years ago did the government's plan to build homes and relocate the families living over the landfill bear fruit, and as the families leave their hill, a flag is placed where their makeshift homes used to stand:
Moravia was also one of the battlefields in which the power struggle between drug cartels took place, and drug cartel “capo” or boss Pablo Escobar, then won the loyalty of the people in Moravia by giving them a soccer field. This field is now the place where current generations turn away from trafficking and armed conflict by immersing themselves in music, art, culture and sports. In the next video by collective Scattered Head we see how:
En la cancha de Moravia ya no hay balaceras sino puro talento urbano.
The city of Medellín is divided in “comunas”, a system based off Paris’ arrondisements. The Comuna 13 has been for many years synonymous with armed conflict as well as the polemic military operation Orion back in 2002. Instead of finishing off the armed conflict in the area, the operation generated backlash from these groups towards the community, ending with more than 128 dead people who were abducted or disappeared and whose bodies lay in the “escombrera”, a bald patch of mountain full of rubble, concrete and twisted rebar from demolished buildings.
The state has debated over sifting through the tons of rubble to find the bodies, or whether to turn the whole site into a memorial, where the dead will remain buried overlooking the streets and homes they inhabited when living.
HipHop has become a way in which youth explain their reality and make a stand:
El ritmo vertiginoso de la Comuna 13 ha generado movimientos juveniles que se resisten a la guerra. El grafiti es la memoria de los que están y los que se fueron así como el hip hop, la voz furiosa que se alza contra el poder de las armas. Esta generación esta indignada de su pasado y de la realidad que les toca vivir. Por esto, crea contra respuestas a la violencia injustificada del sector, entonces alzan la voz y empuñan sus aerosoles.
Within this conflicted environment are some voices of people who remain neutral and who when forced to pick sides choose to side with those who are innocent to all problems such as the young, the elderly and the disabled. Luz Amparo is one of those people whose assistance and help has made her a community leader.
On April 7, the students of the University of Antioquia took to the streets to express their rejection of the budget cuts which would reduce the allocated percentage that goes to public higher education as well as the militarization of the university campus; police swarm the university campus causing panic among students in an attempt to control possible splinter cells of paramilitary or terrorist organizations.
The students’ marches through main streets in the city of Medellin is disruptive to the general population, and sometimes they are perceived negatively and stigmatized. A group of students in this march recognized the attention they were getting and tried to get those onlookers on their side with a rhyming chant: “You on the sidelines! Join the crowd. Your children are students and you are a worker.”
http://youtu.be/eAmu8W9u8DQ
You can browse the map, see more videos  on their repository and search the other activities done during the LabSurLab gathering. If you want to learn more about the Comuna 13, you can also follow HiperBarrio, a blogging initiative of youth in the area which started thanks to Rising Voices sponsoring.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


text:
Cuba: Old & Black  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Being old in Cuba is a problem”: But, explains Iván García, “it becomes harder if you are black.”


text:
Jamaica: Buju Gets 10 Years · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As news spreads that reggae icon Buju Banton has been sentenced to 10 years in jail on drug charges, Jamaica Salt comments: “10 years is indeed a long time…but he’s reported to have took the news calmly and he was lucky in a way as the judge threw out an extra gun charge.  So it could have been worse.”


text:
Macedonia: .mk Twitter Republic · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

This post is part of our special coverage Macedonia Protests 2011.
Protests continue in Macedonia, as the authorities flatly refuse to even talk about the people's demands of accountability, political responsibility and an end to police brutality. On Sunday, a new symbol was displayed by some protesters: the Macedonian flag with a Twitter logo on it, homage to the role of the Twitter community.
Protest participants use the term “Twitter Republic” to relate to the “Krushevo Republic”, a short-lived democratic state formed during the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, whose government included representatives of all local ethnic groups and religions (a major difference from the soon-to-be-formed neighboring Balkan nation-states).
Macedonian flag with Twitter logo. Photo by Mite Kuzevski via IT.com.mk, used with permission
Viktor Arsovski of IT.com.mk informed [mk]:
It could be a bit idealistic, but it is very appropriate for the Twitter birdie to fly onto the Macedonian flag on the [14th day] of the protests against police brutality. It is appropriate because a 140-character-based social network was and is continuing to serve as the information-sharing tool about the protests, and connects the users into an .mk online community.
You can see for yourself by searching the hashtags #protestiram and #martin – almost all [active] Macedonian Twitter users are somehow involved in the protests, discussions about the incidents, and advocating higher standards for the police.
Protest gatherings resume daily at 6 p.m. in the center of Skopje, but are not always followed by a march.
A big event is planned for Saturday, June 25, titled “Let's Hug the Parliament” [mk]. The newly-elected Parliament is assembling for the first time, and the protesters plan to form a human chain around the building.
Poster: "Protest. Saturday at 10. 25.2011. In front of Mother Teresa. Then in front of the Parliament. We will submit an amendment by Martin Neshkovski (1989-2011)."
This post is part of our special coverage Macedonia Protests 2011.

author: Filip Stojanovski


text:
Mexico: Wikinarco.com: Crowdmapping Narco Activity · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Paula Gonzalo, in Periodismo Ciudadano [es], writes about Wikinarco.com [es], a crowdmapping initiative where citizens can report illegal activities related to drug trafficking in Mexico.


text:
Mozambique: The Controversial Basket Against Poverty · Global Voices
Jornal @Verdade

[All links lead to portuguese language pages.]
Life is increasingly more expensive for everybody. Prices of basic food items are high, and the price of oil keeps going up. In Mozambique, one of the measures proposed by the Government to mitigate the impact of the increases in the cost of living for Mozambicans has generated controversy with citizens. The Basic Needs Basket Subsidy had the aims of
a) Assegurar o acesso do agregado familiar a alimentos básicos;
b) Contribuir para manutenção de uma alimentação saudável e equilibrada;
c) Proteger a capacidade de compra do indivíduo e agregado familiar contra eventuais aumentos de preços dos alimentos;
d) Contribuir para estabilidade económica do agregado familiar de baixa renda;
e) Contribuir para estabilidade social do país.
"Family only eats sweet potato". Photo by Miguel Mangueze, used with permission
The proposal by the Government of President Armando Guebuza had a start date for June, but in spite of all expectations, its “abortion” was pronounced on June 16. Citing the Prime Minister, blogger Carlos Serra wrote “the country is stable and as such does not need the Basket.  What remains to be known is why in March the government introduced it.”
In recent weeks, many disbelievers and some believers made public their opinions on the proposal in the blogosphere and social networks.
A Basket of basic needs and equality?
In a series of vox-pop videos on Youtube, the  eligibility criteria were called into question, which brought some to believe in the subsidy’s discriminatory character, given that the Procedure Manual indicated it was targeted at:
Camadas  Sociais de  Baixa Renda (que vivem nos    municípios de Pemba, Lichinga,  Nampula,  Quelimane, Tete, Chimoio,    Beira, Inhambane, Xai-Xai, Matola  e Maputo e  tem rendimento individual    igual ou inferior a 2.500,00Mts  (cerca de 83  USD) por mês ou o    rendimento per-capita do agregado  familiar inferior ou  igual a    840,00Mts(cerca de 28 USD))
Lack of clarity and information about the social reach of the initiative was strongly criticized. Cremild Maculuve, journalist, sceptical in relation to the “eligibility criteria of beneficiaries”, wrote on his wall on Facebook about who he presumed would benefit
a cesta básica  só poderá ser dada (…) aos que têm um emprego formal. Cenário mais sombrio, mas não  descartável é que esta cinja-se aos funcionários públicos, o que, à  partida – se olharmos para o número de funcionários públicos e  multiplicarmos pelo número dos que beneficiam directamente dos seus  rendimentos – excluirá perto de 90 por cento da população moçambicana.
In another note on Facebook, the journalist Matias de Jesus Junior also wondered about the target group of the proposed measures to alleviate the high cost of living
acredito que aqui estão a abrir um fosso imaginável, isto  porque a  mesma é socialmente injusta ou descriminatória. Afinal quem é  o povo  moçambicano, é somente o funcionário público ou também aquele   desempregado, privado e o informal
A number of citizens cited specific groups that did not have the right to the Basic Needs Basket in the vox-pop videos like Moises, a civil servant in Education, who maintains that the Basket does not benefit teachers, and Anacleto, a student, who in spite of believing the “Basic Needs Basket is a good idea” made a point of not ignoring the many “informal merchants” who would not be included.
In the Mozambican village of Madamba (Tete province) locals run a hunting business and the sale of rats on the side of the road. A rat kebab with between6-7 rats costs 10 meticais (20 Euro cents). Photo by Vlad Sokhin copyright Demotix (29/09/2010)
In a comment in the newspaper Jornal @ Verdade, Vasco Muarauane, a Mozambican citizen,  reminded that Article 35 of the Constitution, which refers to the principle of equality of rights for all citizens. Muarauane added that the “Basket” would be instituted with a “Decree with the force of Law”, for ignoring Article 35, given that it is estimated that more than 70% of the Mozambican population living in rural areas would not be reached by the Basic Needs Basket.
A recent increase in salaries, which would prevent many from accessing the Basket, was also mentioned. In a vox-pop video, Alzira Esperança, worker in a private enterprise, says that “the Basket is an excuse to calm people down” as a recent pay rise from 2.400 (within the Basket) to 2.600 meticais would prevent many from gaining access:
The same sums were also questioned in a vox-pop by Isilda,, who is convinced that the difference between those who earn 2.500 and those who earn 2.600 is small and they have the same difficulties.
Blogger Jonathan McCharty summarized the truth about the Basket in this way:
Hoje  podemos julgar, com certeza absoluta que, em toda a  cronologia dos  eventos, os anúncios feitos à volta da “Cesta Básica”  tiveram sempre “a  carroça à frente dos bois”!! Em nenhum momento houve  um “critério de  elegibilidade” definido!! Em nenhum momento houve um  “plano de  atribuição da cesta básica” traçado!! Em nenhum momento se  sabia o que,  de facto, se iria fazer!!
A crisis in context
Bread sellers on the train from Nampula to Mutuáli, Mozambique, 2009. Photo by Rosino on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
In 2008, after the increase in the price of bread and fuel generated unrest, the Government of Guebuza decided to freeze prices of fuel and to subsidize the price of wheat so that gas stations reflected the real cost for Mozambicans and so that the price of bread would be maintained. In September 2010, the unrest worsened for the same reasons, in what become known as the “bread riots” [en].
What was clear to many economists was admitted by the Government in April 2011, by the Minister of Planning and Development Aiuba Cuereneia, who affirmed “the Government does not have the capacity to maintain these measures that were in place since 2008 over the long-term, to contain the cost of living, dictated by the  food crisis and world financial crisis.” The Basic Needs Basket came following this conclusion by Government, given that it is inefficient to increase salaries of workers as this could create price increases and corrode purchasing power.
A briefing by the International Monetary Fund, via its representative in Mozambique Victor Lledó, read
A  cesta básica tenta atender a linha do sistema de protecção social   básica, mas ao nosso ver e de vários parceiros ainda carece de   refinamento e quiçá repensar a sua estrutura básica, dado alguns   factores que podem comprometer a sua implementação e seus objectivos
Professor Manuel de Araújo, not a believer in subsidies to alleviate increases in the cost of living, appeals to the need for a profound reflection on the impact of their adoption
Não quero aqui dizer que todo e qualquer subsidio e mau e que portanto não deve ser equacionado! Quero apenas chamar a atenção sobre as implicações e quiçá as distorções que os subsidios podem trazer a economia se não forem adequadamente equacionados!

author: Jornal @Verdade


text:
Myanmar: Bomb Blasts in Three Cities · Global Voices
tan

Bombs have exploded almost simultaneously in the capital city Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin on Friday, June 24, 2011.
A Car Bomb Blast in Mandalay, Myanmar. Source: Eleven Media.
According to Mizzima, the two bomb explosions in Naypyidaw and Mandalay happened almost at the same time. The bomb explosion in Mandalay was planted on a car parked in front of Zaycho Hotel. Eyewitnesses saw two injured people being carried away by ambulances.
The Voice Weekly has posted photos of the bomb explosion at Mandalay on their Facebook page.
Another bomb explosion in Naypyitaw happened at a home on Ngu War St. near Tha Pyay Kone market place. An eyewitness said:
The explosion was very severe and I saw the debris from the explosion landing as far as 80 feet. Officials are now investigating in the area, and I also saw them bring a mine-searching dog.”
The bomb explosion in Pyin Oo Lwin was also at a vacant home. An eyewitness said the bomb explosion caused the whole house to collapse.

author: tan


text:
Paraguay: Photo Essay: The Ovecha Rague Festival · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Yluux posts a photo essay [es] of the Ovecha Rague (‘sheep fur’ in guaraní) festival in San Miguel, Paraguay. The festival includes artistic performances, craft fairs, an exposition of products made out of sheep's wool and more.


text:
Senegal: Proposed New Election Law Sparks Riots in Dakar   · Global Voices
Philippe Léveillée

Update: President Wade droped the proposed amendment, following riots in Dakar on June 23, 2011.
President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade‘s proposed amendment to the Constitution – the 17th since his election in 2000 –  in anticipation of the presidential elections of 2012, has made  a lot of Senegalese angry.
The proposal aimed among other things, at the creation of a presidential ticket similar to the United States (US) electoral system, where one votes for a president and vice president [Senegal voters vote directly to elect their president].
It would also allow the election of the president in the first round, with only 25% of the votes. The bill was adopted by the Council of Ministers, but was to be voted by the Senegalese National Assembly on June 23 [all links in French, unless otherwise mentioned].
One of the logos of the movement: "Do not touch my constitution"
Last straw
For the opposition, this is the last straw. It is seen as a way for the president, leader of the Sopi movement, to be elected for a third term and to impose his son Karim as his successor.
A first spontaneous demonstration of youth was repressed with violence on June 22. Several photos and videos of the protest  were published on Seneweb. Among the numerous arrests, members of the online opposition community Y’en a marre (Fed up). bydiogs reported on ground that Member of Parliament (MP) Cheikh Bamba Dieye had chained himself to  the gate of the National Assembly.
Several demonstrations were scheduled for June 23 across Senegal. In Dakar, the main gathering site was the Place Soweto, in front of the National Assembly building, where the reading of the bill was to take place.  The protesters arrived early on June 23 to challenge representatives at their arrival.  At 9:30 am, the first tear gas cannisters were fired. Other demonstrators stormed the grounds of the University Cheikh Anta Diop the same morning.
While protests were heating up in the street, the Net was on fire as well. On Facebook, a new page Touche Pas à Ma Constitution (Do not touch my Constitution), launched by an Internet user whose nickname is Subcomandante Kocc Barma and who presents himself as a member of an “invisible commando” collective, criticizes the bill.
Screen Shot, Facebook Page "Touche pas à ma constitution"
Several bloggers, like Ousmane Sarr Simal, do not mince their words:
Certes, comme certaines voix autorisées l'affirment, nul n'a le droit de brûler le Sénégal, mais nul n'a aussi le droit de considérer les Sénégalais comme des lingettes qu'on utilise et jette après usage.
MP Cheikh Bamba Dieye calls for civil disobedience:
Mes chers compatriotes, l'heure n'est plus à la concertation ou à la discussion avec un pouvoir voyou, un pouvoir qui nous agresse et qui veut nous humilier.  J'en appelle donc à la désobéissance civile de tous les sénégalais car aucun citoyen n'a le droit de servir un régime corrompu et corrupteur, incompétent et qui nous fait souffrir au plus profond de nous-mêmes.
One still has to find a blogger advocating for the reform. President Wade and his team seem to offer little “digital resistance” to their detractors.
It has been possible to follow in real time the different demonstrations by following  the hashtags  #ticketwade #touchepasàmaconstitution on Twitter. Oumy, on Twitter, and seneweb have provided real time coverage of  the events and riots in Dakar.

author: Philippe Léveillée


text:
Syria: Blogging Day for Syria · Global Voices
Yazan Badran

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.
Today marks the 100th day since the protest movement found its foothold in Syria. A 100 days later, more than 1,400 deaths, and three presidential speeches, the protest movement is still in full force. This Friday is being billed “friday of delegitimization”.
To mark this day bloggers from Syria and elsewhere started a blogging and Twitter campaign called “Blogging Day for Syria”. The campaign called on every blogger to post his article with the hashtag #Blog4Syria. Here are a selection of these.
Syrian blogger, Suriyeh, writes about her memories as a child in Syria, and about the children of today's revolution.
Those kids… Because of them, we are talking politics! Because of them, we are arguing and tearing each other apart in name-calling and accusations of treason. Because of them, we are engaging in a massive cathartic experience of opinion sharing and debate. Because of them, our world has lost the horizon of perfection and has fallen into greatness: greatness of fear and greatness of values. Because of them, we were forced out of our time-honored apathy. Bloody tags!
Palestinian activist and blogger, Abir Kopty, writes that no Palestinian will enjoy freedom if it comes on the expense of other people's. She continues:
Tunisian blogger, Sarah, also expresses her solidarity with the people of Syria:
Un président qui massacre son peuple parce qu'il a osé lui demander de partir, parce qu'il a osé lui réclamer sa liberté, c'est ce qui se passe en Syrie aujourd'hui et c'est ce qui se passe dans toute dictature. En Tunisie, on en sait quelque chose, et c'est pour cela, que nous tunisiens, sommes de tout coeur avec les syriens qui se battent chaque jour pour leur liberté et pour leur dignité. Et il l'auront un jour, ils paieront le prix fort mais ils l'auront. J'y crois.
Syrian blog, Muammarjiyeh, or the “builders” of Syria, writes:
Luma, a Syrian blogger based in London, also chose this day to share her feelings about the events in Syria.
Over the past three months, 3 different Syria(s) emerged, the Syria which you see in Al Jazeera, the Syria you see on Addunia TV and the real country that I visited earlier this month and spent most of my short time listening to people and what they had to say, the everyday occurrences and what they’ve been through in the past few months.
So which of the 3 Syria(s) is the real one? Who is demanding what and who is shooting at whom? Unfortunately, truth has been one of the early casualties of these events, followed by reason and the ability to talk across differences and because of that the future Syria was a Syria that does not exist in any form.
Blogger, Furious Syrian, chose to write a letter to his son, to be read in the distant future:
You will probably not remember this, but you were weeks old when I held you in my arms, walked the living room back and forth, tears rolling from my eyes like a young girl, chanting loudly: The people want to topple the regime.
This was the first day I called you with your Syrian name. This was the day when everything changed, and everything kept changing, and life as we know it will never be the same.
And finally, blogger, nuffsilence, dedicates a poem to “Syria and all Syrians under the #Blog4Syria campaign”.
O Syria
How do you feel
As you mourn the loss of your children
How do you plan to deal
With the colossal sadness
With the geriatric madness
Inflicted upon your men of power
The bickering of a household
and its long-neglected woes
The young feminine face
Of your beloved
Forehead furrowed in a question mark:
Why?
Why this late?
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.

author: Yazan Badran


text:
Trinidad & Tobago: A Case for Children & Computers  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Lisa Allen-Agostini is irritated by “a call for the dismantling of the Government initiative to give laptop computers to all incoming secondary school students” and explains why “our children…deserve to reap the benefits of progress.”


text:
Trinidad & Tobago: The CL Financial Letter  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Afra Raymond posts a copy of “the CL Financial letter of 13th January 2009″, which he finally has in his possession after “three applications for this document under the Freedom of Information Act.”


text:
Uruguay: Backstage in TEDx Montevideo · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Mauricio Milano from Montevideo Blogger [es] tweeted [es] and updated the official Facebook [es] feed for TEDx Montevideo [es], which was held on June 22. In his personal blog he writes about his experience ‘backstage’.

author: Silvia Viñas


text:
Africa: Louis Vuitton Design Inspired by the Maasai · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kate shares a link to a Louis Vuitton Mens Resort 2012 inspired by the Maasai.


text:
Bhutan: Charity Ride Of A Motorcycle Club · Global Voices
Rezwan

iamDrukpa writes chronicles about the 11th charity ride of the Bhutan Dragon Motorcycle Club.

author: Rezwan


text:
China: Experience of Rural Migrant Worker · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Trica Wang blogs about her experience of riding the Beijing subway disguised as a migrant worker while conducting fieldwork.

author: Oiwan Lam


text:
Cuba: Cuba Votes for LGBT Resolution at UN Human Rights Council · Global Voices
Ellery Roberts Biddle

On Friday, June 17 the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution expressing “grave concern at the violence and discrimination experienced by people because of their sexual orientation…” As part of the resolution, the Council called for a global study of discrimination against LGBT communities around the world.
The resolution passed narrowly: twenty-three members voted in favor of the resolution, while nineteen voted against it, and three abstained. Among the nations that supported the measure was Cuba. In the days following the resolution, Cuban bloggers and Twitter users celebrated this significant victory for the island’s LGBT communities.
Diversidad CENESEX [es], the official blog of the Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (National Center for Sexual Education, CENESEX), wrote:
El voto favorable de Cuba es muestra de la voluntad política de nuestro Partido y Estado en eliminar todas las formas de discriminación que lamentablemente aún persisten en la sociedad cubana.
While state-supported LGBT rights advocates like CENESEX and Hombres para la Diversidad (HxD) offered vociferous support for the measure for several months, independent (non-state) groups have participated in the effort as well: La isla y la espina [es] reported on a gay rights parade held in May, in the eastern city of Santiago, which was organized to support the vote. The blog's author wrote:
No estoy viendo una película. Son las calles de mi ciudad. Jornada cubana contra la homofobia.
Paquito el de Cuba [es], one of the most vocal LGBT advocates in Cuba’s blogging community, wrote of the great achievement that the measure represented. Yet he also noted that in spite of popular support for the measure, state press organizations only covered the vote online–print publications did not cover the event at all.
…los diarios impresos nacionales…no tuvieron a su disposición ningún despacho de esa agencia de prensa que diera cuenta del suceso.
[…]
¿Porqué perdimos esta oportunidad de educar a la población sobre cuál es laposición del Partido, el Estado y el gobierno de Cuba en relación con talestemas?  […] ¿Qué impidió adecuar la información que brindaron los sitios digitales cubanos a lasversiones impresas de los diarios?
…national print newspapers…did not receive a single dispatch from the press agency that would have told them what had happened.
[…]
Why did we lose this opportunity to educate the population about the position of the Party, the State, and the Cuban government regarding these issues? […] What kept the print news organizations from obtaining the information that was published on Cuban digital news sites?
While the vote proves the Cuban government's desire to support progressive policy on an international scale, it appears that on the island, society and the state may have much work to do before these issues are fully recognized by the public.
* Thumbnail picture by Flickr user Marlith. Republished under CC Licence BY-2.0.

author: Ellery Roberts Biddle


text:
Ghana: Gays Come Under Fresh Attacks · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Fresh attacks for gays in Ghana: Delivering a statement on the 30 years of the official discovery of HIV/AIDS on the floor of Parliament,  Professor Mike Oquaye, Ghana’s Second Deputy Speaker, described homosexuality as an “abomination” that must be stopped “before the human race was destroyed by something worse than AIDS”.


text:
Ghana: On Internet Connectivity in Ghana · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Oluniyi shares a video of Gregory Eid, the Managing Director of TeleData ICT, a leading Internet Service Provider in Ghana, speaking to Russell Southwood of Balancing Act about some aspects of the operations of TeleData ICT, challenges of offering internet connectivity in Ghana


text:
India: Predicting Indo-Pak Talks · Global Voices
Rezwan

JayBlogs posts a hilarious take on what actually happens at Indo-Pak talks.


text:
Lebanon, France: Amin Maalouf Elected Into The Académie Française · Global Voices
Claire Ulrich

“My favorite novelist has just been elected into the Académie française“” write Khira [fr], from Morocco, and  Patricia [fr], on behalf of the Lebanese diaspora, happy to announce on their blogs that Lebanese writer and novelist  Amin Maalouf was elected a member of the Académie française on June 23, at the  seat left vacant by  French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss.

author: Claire Ulrich


text:
Syria: French Embassy Website Hacked  · Global Voices
Thalia Rahme

On Saturday, June 25, since at least 3PM GMT, the website of the French Embassy in Syria appears to have been hacked: anyone connecting to the French embassy website is automatically redirected to another site (http://th3pro.pro/fr/), where, to the tune of the Syrian national anthem, a message in French and Arabic criticizes the “negative aspects of your participation in the conspiracy against Syria and in protest against the F24 channel for the dissemination of false information on Syria”. The message is followed by pictures from pro-government demonstrations in Syria [screenshot].

author: Thalia Rahme


text:
Uganda: Lake Victoria Solar-Powered Payphone · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Here is a solar-powered payphone on Lake Victoria: Solar-powered, wireless payphone on lake victoria. photo from the payphone project. That same boat is featured in MTN’s report “MTN – 10 years of cellular freedom”


text:
Zambia: How Will Chiluba Be Remembered? · Global Voices
Gershom Ndhlovu

How will Chiluba be remembered? That is the question that is being debated by Zambian netizens on various networks. The buzz on the late former president’s death and his legacy is almost reflective of one of Zambian language sayings which states that on the day an elephant dies, it is the talk of the village.
The story of Zambia’s second president, Frederick Chiluba, reads like a Homeric tale in Greek mythology in which someone of humble beginnings rises up and heroically knocks off the perch the ruler of a state and takes over. In the process, the hero falls in love with a wicked nymph and is consumed in her power.
One Facebooker put it on his wall, the death of former President Chiluba, who died on June 18, has brought more mixed opinions and divisions than that of his nemesis and successor Levy Mwanawasa. A few months into office in 2002, Mwanawasa waived Chiluba’s presidential immunity accusing the second president of plundering millions of US dollars from the national treasury.
Former President Chiluba’s body taken to the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka, Zambia for body viewing. Photo courtesy of @QfmZambia
Some netizens say that Chiluba must be allowed to rest in peace while others maintain that the former president should be treated even in death for what he was, a plunderer whose actions while in office impoverished many people in the country he ruled from 1991 to 2001.
Perhaps, the eulogy by Munshya wa Munshya captures best the views of those who say Chiluba ought to be remembered for the good he did for the country rather than dwelling on the negative side of his reign.
Wrote Munshya:
In 1990, choosing a leader for the MMD was not an easy feat. But all sections of the MMD united around Frederick Chiluba. Even many academics in the movement acknowledged the intelligence and brilliance of Chiluba. Chiluba acquired this brilliance, neither in the walls of the classroom nor in the decors of laboratories but rather on the street. It is this courage, this education, and this street wisdom that made Frederick Chiluba fit to lead Zambia’s new political party.
And in consistency with his predecessor, one of the first acts of the presidency was Christian commitment. For Kaunda, three months in power in January 1965, he launched the United Church of Zambia, calling it a “national edifice.” For Chiluba, three months in power he addressed a prayer meeting at State House where he renounced corruption and witchcraft and declared Zambia as a Christian nation. This 1991 declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation is perhaps one of the most far reaching decisions that would long linger in history.
In death, however, Zambians should put their political differences aside and unite in mourn the passing of an extraordinary man. A diminutive man who walked among us with extraordinary courage.
A brief Twitter exchange I had with Munshya went like this:
It looks like #Chiluba is being canonised in death. Very soon we'll hear a suggestion that he be called Saint Fred. #Zambia.
Munshya replied:
@GNdhlovu death has a way of redeeming people.
@ICTjournalist tweeted:
@GNdhlovu i remember him as a person who who started a revolution in Africa which has spread all over
Another tweep, @missbwalya, had this to say about Chiluba:
Beyond multi-party democracy & liberalization, Chiluba's lasting legacy is “ukubosha (bribery)” mentality + corruption. #ThatsAll #Zambia
@afriwoman did not like him but…
Listening to Zambian radio stations, going through pics of #Chiluba's funeral courtesy of @QfmZambia . Didn't like the guy but a little sad
The debate on Chiluba’s virtues when he was alive have been intense on Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog which have been carrying a number of stories on the former president’s death.
Commeting on the Lusaka Times under the story in which the incumbent President Rupiah Banda declares seven days of national mourning for Chiluba, Sanford and Son says:
As we depart from this earth, we shall be remembered by what we have done, and at times the bad overshadows all the good we may have done, So it is for FTJ. I remember my brothers and sisters who died in droves because there was no food or healthcare, being taken to the nearest clinic in a wheel barrow while Chiluba dined with prostitutes!
Isaac has a different view:
It is so sad to lose a former president of a nation.He was a great man who will b remembered by many for the introduction of multipartism. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
Another contributor, Independent, names the number of people, including politicians and lawyers who died in mysterious circumstances under Chiluba’s government:
Well I guess 7 days national mourning is befitting of a former president.
But that does not take away the fact that he presided over worst levels of public corruption in Zambia’s history.
When he was president,prominent political figures (Penza,Tembo,W.Kaunda,Nguni,Ngenda e.t.c)met their deaths in the most brutal way imaginable.This was in the so called “Christian Nation” era.
I agree, FTJ deserves it……………
The Zambian Watchdog had a story in which readers were asked to discuss Chiluba´s death and coming elections. Some of the responses are as follows:
Juan wrote:
No way the chap was a criminal & he could cause problems during the elections so it’s good for us that he is dead now. RIP no flowers please!
MALIKOPO wrote:
GOOD RIDDENCE OF CHILUBA AND THANKS TO GOD. CHILUBA WOULD HAVE BROUGHT BIG CONFUSION TO ZAMBIANS DURING ELECTIONS. PLEASE ONLY PLASTIC FLOWERS ON HIS GRAVE
Bob wrote:
I think Chiluba should have lived to answer the cases that RB decided to close without proper justification. It is always hard to debate a dead man, let alone one who is not even burried yet, but the misery he caused, impunity with which he acted and lack of shame and remorse stinks, real stinking. I pray to God that Zambia should never have a president like him.
I am not very sure if Chiluba was really a factor in the coming elections. A small number i think might have been influenced by him especially in Luapula but elsewhere, no.
Machende mbwazulwa wrote:
there is no impct which can come with chiluba’s death, people stopped recognising chiluba as a president a long time ago, him being alive or dead doesnt make any difference. on sunday i went to COMESA market, and among the people i spoke too non was sympathetic of chiluba’s death. even those attending his funeral most of them are just there to enjoy the GRZ sponsored meals, im also rushing there to have lunch. later……
Airubi mwanza wrote:
In life there are some ups and downs.so even if chiluba is gone,it stl remains that he ruled zambia. he taught us democracy.though he was arrested for theft of public funds.god wl hv th final say.come wat it may mmd ar wining again ths elections.
It is the choice of words of Zambia’s First President Dr Kenneth Kaunda when he visited his successor’s funeral house that summarised his perception of the man he never saw eye to eye with from his trade union days to his presidency and beyond. The Lusaka Times story went:
Dr Kaunda said the country had lost a great trade unionist who fought for the rights of his members, regardless of the situation and that his contribution would always be remembered by everyone.
Dr. Kaunda said Dr. Chiluba contributed immensely to the strengthening of the labour movement in the country.
Dr Kaunda once detained Chiluba and his trade union colleagues in 1981, ten years before he succeeded him for calling for wildcat strikes that paralysed the economy in the country at the time. Ironically, President Chiluba also detained the former president in December of 1997 accusing him of plotting a failed coup a few months earlier.
Reactions to Dr. Kaunda's remarks are as follows.
Setjhaba says:
KK is right – Chiluba was a great trade unionist but not a good president. So KK has focused on Chiluba’s positive attributes.
President Rupiah Banda, the man who has seen an incumbent president, Levy Mwanawasa to whom was vice president, and a former president, Frederick Chiluba, die within two and half years of each other, has since declared seven days of national mourning. He will be buried at the same site where Mwanawasa is buried in the heart of Lusaka.
Chiluba's body will lie in state at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. Hundreds of citizens are expected to file past the body to pay their last respects. He will be buried at Embassy Park in the heart of Lusaka where Zambia's third President the late Levy Mwanawasa is buried.
QfmZambia has posted photos on Facebook in the album titled “Former President Chiluba’s body viewing in progress”.


text:
Africa: 11 Ways For African Revolutionaries to Get Around Internet Blockades · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Willemien Groot's Guide for African Revolutionaries: 11 Ways to get around internet blockades: “Internet blockades are more the rule than the exception in non-democratic countries. But there are ways to get round them, even though no censorship circumvention tool is 100 percent safe. Rule number 1: you’re clever, but the authorities are cleverer.”


text:
Africa: The Caine Prize and Unintended Consequences: A Response · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Emmanuel Iduma responds to Nigerian writer and critic, Ikhide Ikheloa’s essay “Email from America: The Caine Prize and Unintended Consequences”: “The essay which one website described as ” Wainainaesque” after Binyavanga Wainaina’s satirical “How to Write About Africa” and together with Chimamanda Adichie’s   “The danger of a single story”, is fast becoming the third part of a trilogy of African intellectual criticism of Western literary imposition.”


text:
Africa: Thoughts of Africa 2.0 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Tolu's thoughts on Africa 2.0: “The point is this: in the emerging Africa it is harder for the government to carry on as though the people didn’t exist, or as though they existed to be deceived, because the citizens are losing the fear that once held them down. And then again, yes, people do get sick and tired of suffering, and less and less patient with lying, thieving, murderous tyrants.”


text:
Armenia: LGBT Persons Still Facing Discrimination · Global Voices
Liana Aghajanian

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons are still facing discrimination in Armenia and much of the rest of the South Caucasus, a new groundbreaking two-year study by the Council of Europe (CoE) on the situation across member states has found. In addition to being the last member state to decriminalize homosexual male sex, Armenia, which joined the CoE in 2001, does not recognize same-sex marriage or partnerships and adoption rights for LGBT persons, notes Unzipped: Gay Armenia.
In some member states, being gay or lesbian is viewed as a “betrayal” of national values and unity. Such arguments may be grounded on a specific understanding of the nation or the state which aims to preserve the homogeneity of the nation. For example, an interlocutor from the authorities explained that in Armenia being homosexual is often seen as disloyal to the traditional values of the Armenian people.
Armenia's neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia didn't fare too well CoE's report, either. When it comes to having gay neighbors, Turkey and Armenia both tied with 87 percent of the population saying they did not want to have a gay or lesbian neighbor, according to respective surveys with unknown methodologies. In Georgia, the figure was 84 percent. A 2009 incident is highlighted with regards to LGBT rights in Azerbaijan.
In Azerbaijan during 2009 police raided bars which LGBT persons visit and arrested almost 50 people. Police reportedly held the individuals and threatened to expose their sexual orientation publicly unless they paid a bribe. A film documentary from Azerbaijan in which several people testify about their experiences also points to such incidents of blackmail.
While Armenia's place at the bottom of the table when it came to decriminalization of gay male sex   isn't anything to be proud of, says Unzipped, there's room for hope when  it comes to progress for LGBT rights:
Let's be  among the first within post-Soviet   countries to start implementing  equality and human-rights-for-all   legislative and social changes.  Dreaming? May be. But no one can deprive   me of dreams. Especially if  they are potentially achievable.
Earlier this month, Public In Need of Information and Knowledge (PINK) signed a historic memorandum with Armenia's Human Rights Ombudsman on protection of LGBT rights, the NGO wrote in its blog. While Istanbul celebrates its 19th LGBT Pride Week, including a much-anticipated parade, the blog Le Retour in 3 Parts advocates why Yerevan needs a similar celebration:
In Yerevan, I have met straight people who hang out with queers, who are tolerant (as much as I hate this word), who support equal rights for all peoples. These people would stand out against injustice in any form and if someone attempted to physically hurt another person because he was gay, they would be up in arms in a second to defend him.
But too often I find that this “tolerance” has a limit, a boundary which cannot be crossed. Sometimes this limit has to do with queers raising or adopting kids, sometimes it has to do with gay marriage and sometimes it's just simply being out as queer. And then there's the disparity when it comes to men and women (and let's not even talk about the disparity when it comes to acceptance of sexual preference vs. acceptance of gender identity): Too often in Yerevan (as I have no doubt elsewhere) I have come across straight guys who say they have no problems with lesbians but thinking about two men having sex is just disgusting (զզվելի) and unnatural (բնական չի).
[…]
But  to get back to the title of this post, why Yerevan needs a pride   parade: even the Well-Intentioned, Tolerant guys, even the human rights   defenders and activists, even those who will stand beside us and be our   allies and supporters — even these groups of people don't realize what   it means to be queer and live in this society, why we need to be  reclaim  space and why even though he may be tolerant, deep down he  thinks that  being gay is unnatural, that queers shouldn't raise kids,  we shouldn't  marry or attend church, and that really everything would  be so much  better if we didn't exist and complicate his world.
There are 47 states that have membership in the CoE and all are signatories of the European Convention on Human Rights, an international treaty drafted in 1950 in which all CoE member states are party to.

author: Liana Aghajanian


text:
Botswana: Photo: So Where Do You Want to Stay?  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

MyWeku's image of the week is a picture taken on the road from South Africa to Gaborone, Botswana via Oddly Specific. It is titled, “So…where do you want to stay?”


text:
China: Lawyers for Murder Suspects Detained Under Controversial Law · Global Voices
John Kennedy

The detention of four criminal defense lawyers in Guangxi province early this month on charges of witness tampering has angered lawyers across China. Luo Sifang, Liang Wucheng, Yang Zhonghan and Yang Zaixin, each from different law firms, had previously been hired to represent four residents of Beihai accused of killing a man in late 2009 and throwing his body in the ocean.
The four defendants had been involved earlier that evening in a street fight with the deceased, among others, but three witnesses were able to provide an alibi at the time of the murder. At least that's what they told the four lawyers now being held in Beihai. Presenting a version of the events in court which differed from official statements taken earlier by police amounted to withdrawal of a confession, giving this case something in common that of Li Zhuang's.
Detained lawyer Yang Zaixin's business card
Then the witnesses for the case were detained, and police started missing deadlines such as informing family members that the four lawyers had even been detained, or letting them meet.
Once police took on the lawyers, media from around China began reporting on the number of large holes which quickly appeared when initial confessions given to police were held up against details in the case. For example, the confession hinged on the four defendants’ saying that they had killed the deceased by stabbing him, but then no stab wounds [zh, Southern Weekly] were found on the body.
Beijing lawyer Zhou Ze writes [zh] of the case:
除“文革”中“砸烂公检法”外，因为具体的刑事案件辩护，一次性抓捕四位辩护律师，史无前例。“广西四律师涉嫌辩护人妨碍作证案”,将有可能是改革开放以来对律师最严重的迫害事件。
Also from Southern Weekly reporting on the situation, it was only after local police began ignoring procedure that the All China Lawyers Association (ACLA) became involved (and has since met some resistance from local authorities) and lawyers from Beijing and elsewhere started making plans to move in.
Reportedly, all employees at the four law firms of the four detained lawyers were called in by the local Guangxi province lawyers association and told not to talk to any media or out-of-province lawyers. Judging from a few comments on Weibo, the ACLA has heard about the order.
As with Li Zhuang, the case raises the issue of “big stick” article 306 of China's Criminal Law. According to Elizabeth M. Lynch at the China Law & Policy blog, the problem lies in the fact that:
…even with a lawyer, a defendant will still have difficulty in raising the issue of a coerced confession.  A defendant’s changing his testimony, even if the prior confession was in fact the result of torture, is not in the self-interest of his attorney.  Article 306 of China’s Criminal Law (CL) provides criminal liability, and a prison term of up to seven years, to lawyers who entice their clients to change their testimony in opposition to the facts or to give false testimony.  While the overarching purpose of the sanction – to ensure that lawyers do not encourage their clients to lie – is laudable, Article 306 has been used by police and prosecutor as a way to intimidate defense counsel from questioning the validity of any confession, even when torture is obvious.
For anyone with time to do some follow-up, six very high profile lawyers arrived in Beihai Sunday, and have been live-blogging what they encounter, with meetings with local officials set for Monday. Updates today include:
【六位律师北海行直播11】王兴律师：裴金德伤害案的四名被告人及两名证人的家属也到了宾馆。我向他们了解案件的情况，并通报律师团此行的目的及任务。
【六位律师北海行直播12】王兴律师：裴金德的妻子跟我聊了案件的问题，问我2003年还是哪年法律不是规定禁止刑讯逼供吗，为什么还有。我回答刑讯逼供历来是法律禁止的，可从没有消失过。
【六位律师北海行直播13】王兴律师：家属正在签署委托书.
【六位律师北海行直播14】陈光武、王兴、杨名跨律师和广西的律师同仁准备吃饭去了.人是铁饭是钢，不吃饭饿得慌！
【六位律师北海行直播15】朱明勇律师和张凯律师已经坐上出租车去宾馆（22时35分）
【六位律师北海行直播16】陈光武：各位朋友，感谢您们的关注、围观。我们一行六人已大部如期来到广西北海。刚才利用晚餐时间简单碰了头，初步拟定明天的工作计划，主要是会见四位涉案律师。有可能的话还要会见三位涉案证人和四位伤害案的被告人（22时42分）
【六位律师北海行直播17】对北海感觉良好，环境优美，秩序井然，社会管理成就可观。这对明天会见曾加了信心。相信地方相关部门会依法办事，及时安排会见，不会再出现推诿、刁难、阻挠的情况。另，来后了解，证人之一的潘凤和已先期释放，理由是犯罪情节轻微，不再追究刑事责任（22时46分）

author: John Kennedy


text:
China: Update on the Independent Candidate Campaigns · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The spokesperson for the Commission on Legislative Affairs of the National People’s Congress stated [zh] on June 8 2011 that no legal basis exists for independent candidacy in grassroots people's congress elections.
To be a candidate in grassroots representative elections, he said, one has to first be endorsed by a political party or a people's organization in order to become an “independent candidate”. The statement is a blow to the grassroots “independent candidate” movement triggered by Liu Ping's candidacy announced in May 2011.
A Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s internal newspaper, Study Times [zh], however, then published a commentary which argued that “independent candidacy” is legal as “the right to be nominated” is protected by the Chinese Constitution. It looked at speculation that an internal conflict exists between top leaders of the CCP and in government over the opening up of grassroots democracy.
The General Election of grassroots representatives for the People's Congress at both the county and township level is taking place from now until the end of 2012. More than two million people's representatives will be elected in the two elections, affecting more than 2,000 county level governments and more than 30,000 township level governments. Chinese-language news site Boxun quotes a source [zh] who states that there were more than 127 registered independent candidates by June 7, 2011.
Despite the fact that the number of independent candidates is tiny in comparison to the total of more than 2 million contested seats, the authorities have been hard-handed in suppressing spontaneous participation in the grassroots elections.
Cao Tian, a real estate businessman, author and former 1989 political prisoner, has announced in his blog that he will run for mayor of Zhengzhou. Soon after his announcement was made, he was threatened by a local official that “the first bird that takes wing is the first bird to get shot”.
China Digital Times has translated his post:
Official: You’re going to run into serious problems if you try to pull this one off. Can you guarantee that your company, or your family have not made any mistakes?! Pretty soon you’re going to find out just how many eyes Ma Wang Ye [Note: a Taoist dieity that has three eyes. Here it refers to the CCP] has!
Cao: I learned twenty years ago just how many eyes Ma Wang Ye has. I know even more about Yan Wang’s search for minions. But there is one thing that I still want. It’s what the Mafei county chief said in the movie “ Let the Bullets Fly.” He said that his government was there in Echeng to ensure three things: fairness, fairness and f**king fairness.
Official: You want fairness do you? That’s the same as saying you want to be in handcuffs! Didn’t you watch the news yesterday? The Commission on Legislative Affairs of the National People’s Congress has already said that you so-called independent candidates lack a legal ground [for running for office]. The subtext is that you guys are causing trouble for the government so the laws aren’t going to be used to protect you.
[…]
Official: What you say might make sense, but the reality is quite different. The first bird that takes wing is the first bird to get shot. You, yourself are someone with status; there is no need for you to be the martyr. Do you think history will stop progressing without you taking the lead?
Beijing Human Rights Activist and former independent people's congress representative to Beijing, Xu Zhiyong, has also confirmed [zh] the crackdown on independent candidates, via his Twitter on June 18:
针对独立候选人的打压开始了。昨天被带走除了不准教育平等征集签名，另外就是不准推动人大选举，我说，如果连这么基层的民主都要假到底，都不给人民任何践行宪法权利的机会，你们将是历史的垃圾.
A number of the high-profile independent candidates have been subjected to political harassment. Cao Tian, for one, was forced to leave Zhengzhou a week after he announced his intention to compete for the mayor.
Sina Weibo user Heaven blesses China A commented [zh] on June 17:
民间参选市长第一人曹天在刚刚宣布参选郑州市市长一周后，即被当地多个部门关照。由公安、国土资源、税务组成调查组，对其所在公司及其个人进行全面调查。曹天被迫离开郑州，去向不明。微评：也许这也是其他独立参选人的下场，参选市长，没经过领导同意能行吗？我不说不让你选，我仅仅是查查你而已。
Independent candidate from Jiangxi, Li Sihua, was charged with signature forgery. The authority said that among the more than 200 signatures in Li's nomination form, 5 of them were forged. Although it takes only 20 signatures to qualify as a candidate, Li's candidacy has been voided as a result of the charge. Li explained [zh] the situation through his Weibo account:
6月17日省人大向市人大批转了我的申诉书，使市、区人大再也不能说是省人大认定我跨选区被推荐非法无效了。于是，市、区、街办、村委四级紧急行动，赶赴我的推荐人所在的西合村，采用种种手段给推荐人做笔录，证明我们的推荐存在冒名代签，涉嫌破坏选举罪。我刚去了村里，村民说只有亲属间的委托代签。
Weibo user wuxinkuaiyu reminded [zh] all independent candidates to protect themselves:
友情提示:独立候选人参选人大代表征集签名时，拍照、录音、摄像手段最好全都用上。
In spite of all the political harassment, many netizens continue to step out and participate in the grassroots election. CHRD has been keeping track of the candidate list with the tag ‘grassroots election‘ [zh].


text:
Japan: Night Running as a Sub-Culture · Global Voices
Jeremy Laughlin

There are a lot of night runners out there. More so then you might imagine, and the popularity seems to be increasing.
One of the huge reasons that brings the runner out after dark is the sake of convenience. It goes to show that night hours are attractive to working people when you hear about the impressive turnout at a recent night race at Osaka Castle.
Kiyoshi in Osaka participated in a Night Run at Osaka Castle:
さて、この大会ですが、平日の夜に開催されるということで、人が集まるんかいな？と最初は思っていましたが、会社帰りの方その他、計560名の方が参加されました。
大阪城公園内とはいえ、平日の夜に5km、10kmでタイムを計測してもらえるということで、いろんな事情で日曜日のレースに出づらい方や、レースは全く初めてという方などが気軽に参加されたのではないかと思います。
Then there is the alluring atmosphere the night brings.  Some people feel at ease in the night environment and the conditions are usually favorable for running.
Carna explains what she likes about it:
空は雲に覆われている為、月明かりはなく、街も節電中の為、薄暗い中でのランニングとなりましたが
逆に走りに集中できたのではないでしょうか
夜のランニングはホントに気持ちが良いですね！
日焼けもしませんし
There is even a distinct night runner fashion that is developing. Lafino tried out a jacket with LED lights, made especially for night runs and walks.
We have noted the attractiveness of night running from recreational aspects, but what of it as a genuine culture that defines people and their relationship to society?
Running is not something people usually associate with night-life or sub-cultures, but the members of the group Midnight Runners Tokyo (MRT) do. They have been hitting the streets of Tokyo at the dead of night on weekends; a time when the idea of running would be unthinkable to many people. They see night running as culture in the making, rather than a sport.
The organizers of the group have some ambitious plans for MRT. GV Japan talked with one organizer, Shogo Otani, about the idea behind the late-night event and where it’s going.
Where did you get the idea for MRT?
What is the purpose of MRT?
How does running through the streets of Tokyo make you feel?
How many people would you like to join the event?  Why?
How many times a year would you like to hold the event?
How many official members do you have?
What makes MRT more important (worthy of media attention) then Bridge Runners?
What is the goal of the event?

author: Jeremy Laughlin


text:
Japan: Ryo Chijiiwa on Volunteering · Global Voices
Tomomi Sasaki

Ryo Chijiiwa gave a 1 hour presentation at Google Tech Talk (video link) about his two month experience volunteering in the disaster zone with All Hands Volunteers.

author: Tomomi Sasaki