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What Does Being a GVer Mean to You? · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

A few days before the end of 2012, Gabriela, a Global Voices veteran and one of our oldest and most regular contributors  suggested that I write a post similar to the one published last year under the title: The World is talking … We translate. So we called upon our community of translators. Below are some of their answers:
What does being a GVer mean to you?
María Angélica Marín provides a general picture:
Ser parte de una red en la que encuentro posts que me permiten mantenerme informada de aspectos que me interesan. Colaborar en una actividad constructiva. Ser parte de un grupo donde cada uno asume las responsabilidades en forma autónoma al ritmo que desea y una comunidad rica dese el punto de vista profesional así como personal. Encontrar gente con una amplia variedad de intereses que colabora con GV y entre ellos sin interés a tener un puesto mejor, ganar más u otro.
Being part of a network where I find articles that keep me updated on issues which interest me. Partaking and engaging in a constructive activity. Being part of a group where everyone assumes responsibilities independently and follows their own rhythm and that of a rich community from both professional and personal standpoints. Meeting individuals with a wide array of interests collaborating with GV and with each other without having the intent to obtain a better position, gaining more money or other things.
Laura Rebollo adds:
Traducir en Global Voices significa viajar post a post de Siria a Trinidad y Tobago, de China a Rusia, de Turkmenistán a Mozambique… Es la mejor manera de enriquecerse culturalmente y de compartir con el mundo lo que está pasando en cada rincón del planeta. Además, he tenido la suerte de conocer al equipo entregado, dispuesto y maravilloso con el que cuenta GV.
Translating for Global Voices means travelling between posts from Syria to Trinidad and Tobago, from China to Russia, from Turkmenistan to Mozambique ….It is the best way to enrich ourselves culturally and to share with the entire world what is happening in every corner of the globe. Moreover, I got the opportunity to meet the very dedicated, available and amazing team of GV.
Carolina Pirola believes:
Se dice que los periodistas, y más en concreto los medios, son las ventanas al mundo para el ciudadano. Pero muchas veces la realidad que presentan es parcial, sesgada y determinada por lo “que vende”. Como profesional de la informacion, pertenecer a Global Voices es para mí no solo una forma de ayudar al ciudadano a completar ese dibujo del mundo, rellenar los huecos que en el mapa quedan en blanco, sino también en parte una responsabilidad precisamente por esos mismos motivos.
They say that journalists and the media especially are windows to the rest of the world for citizens. But often, the reality they showcase is partial, biased and determined by “what sells”. As a professional in the field of information, belonging to GV for me is not only a way to help citizens complete their understanding of the world and fill in the gaps left blank on the map, but also entails a part of that responsibility for those same motives.
Romina Navarro points out:
En el corto tiempo que llevo traduciendo para Global Voices, gocé el privilegio de estar en contacto con colegas de todo el mundo y enriquecerme de sus conocimientos y opiniones, conocer y ayudar a difundir los acontecimientos más importantes que tienen lugar en cada rincón del planeta, y conectar voces, culturas e ideas a través de la traducción, que es lo que más me gusta. Para mí, pertenecer a Global Voices significa ser parte de algo mucho más grande que uno mismo, y que sigue creciendo con cada nuevo colega que se suma y cada nueva voz que hacemos oír.
In the short time, I have been translating for GV, I've had the privilege to get in touch with colleagues from all over the world and benefit from their knowledge and opinions, get to know and contributing in spreading the most important news that are happening in every corner of the planet, in addition to connecting voices, cultures and ideas through translation which is what I like the most. For me belonging to GV means being part of something bigger that our-self, and which keeps growing with every new colleague coming aboard and every new voice which we make heard.
Francisco Haces believes that:
Participar en Global Voices como traductor es una gran oportunidad de traer historias socialmente relevantes al ámbito de habla hispana, permitiendo a quienes hablamos español el conocer temas importantes que normalmente pasarían desapercibidos al encontrarse en idiomas distintos. Es la oportunidad de dar una voz en español a quienes hablan idiomas distintos y necesitan que sus historias sean conocidas de manera global.
Contributing to GV as a translator is a great opportunity to bring interesting and socially relevant stories to the Spanish speaking sphere, allowing them to stay informed on the most important topics which usually go unnoticed in other languages. It is an opportunity to give a voice in Spanish to those who speak a different language and who need their stories to be known globally.
Betsy Galbreath writes:
Pertenecer a GV para mí no solo es una oportunidad de ayudar a difundir información a los que de otra manera quizá no tendrían acceso a ella, sino también es una oportunidad de aprender por mí misma lo que está pasando en el mundo–sobre otras culturas, o sobre acontecimientos que los grandes medios de los Estados Unidos quieren minimizar u olvidar. Pertenecer a GV ha ampliado mi mundo, y espero ayudar a hacer lo mismo por los lectores de GV con las traducciones que hacemos. A nivel profesional, la experiencia que gano por traducir materia de tan variado contenido y dificultad es invaluable.
Being a Gver is not only an opportunity  for me to contribute in spreading information to those who perhaps wouldn't have access to it otherwise. It is also an chance for me to stay informed on what is happening in the world in other cultures or on events which mainstream or big media companies in the USA want to minimize or forget. Being a GVer has widened my world and I hope to do the same for GV readers with our translations. At a professional level, the experience I have gained for translating such rich, varied and difficult content is also priceless.
Alan Bailey tells us his story:
I've been translating for GV for about six months. I love that it helps me improve my Spanish and translation skills, that it educates me about what is happening around the world, and that it lets me work with the other wonderful journalists, bloggers, and translators of GV!
Miguel Angel Ruiz asserts:
Me ofrece la gran oportunidad de practicar la labor traductora en todo su esplendor con una temática variada (política, economía, sociedad, deporte, etc.) y considero que se trata de una ocasión excelente para formar parte de un equipo que transmite a la comunidad hispanohablante noticias de países que normalmente ni se oyen en los principales medios de comunicación y que necesita la mayor difusión posible en los medios digitales. Me produce una enorme satisfacción pertenecer a un gran proyecto que acoge a voluntarios de todos los rincones del mundo y poder aportar mi grano de arena para su posterior desarrollo a nivel internacional.
It gives the great opportunity to practice challenging translations in all its splendor in varied topics (politics, economy, society, sports, etc.) and I consider it is an amazing occasion to be part of a team which transmits to the Spanish-speaking community, news about countries which they they don't hear quite often in the mainstream media and which need as much coverage as possible in digital media. It gives me a huge satisfaction to belong to such a big project which embraces volunteers from all over the world and where I can contribute even a little in making it grow and reach an international level.
Laura Moreno for her part says:
Para mí Global Voices es una oportunidad de poner en práctica lo que aprendí en la universidad y también de aprender sobre otras culturas. Además me encanta el compañerismo que hay, ya que cuando una persona tiene una duda enseguida contesta alguien dispuesto a ayudarle.
For me Global Voices is an opportunity to put in practice what I have learned at university and also to get to know about other cultures. I also like the spirit of camaraderie that exists between members so whenever someone has a question or a doubt over something, there is always someone else available to assist.
Cati Restrepo adds:
Considero que pertenecer a Global Voices es tener la oportunidad de, si eres autor, acercarte a tu país de una forma diferente. Si eres traductor, de tener un acercamiento único a las voces de miles de ciudadanos en todo el mundo y a historias que difícilmente te llegarían. Ser parte de Global Voices también te da una perspectiva diferente de lo que es internet. Teniendo tantos activistas y personas con tan múltiples profesiones y artes, estás en un ambiente en el que el mundo virtual se concibe de muchas formas. El común denominador es que sí o sí, terminas creyendo y/o corroborando, que puedes generar transformaciones a través de lo que hagas en internet.
If you are an author, I believe that belonging to GV allows you to become closer to your country in a different way. If you are a translator it allows you to have a unique approach to the voices of thousands of citizens from all over the world and to stories which will reach you with difficulty normally. Being a GVer will also gives you a different perspective on the internet. We have among us activists and individuals from various professional backgrounds and even artists. You are in an environment where the virtual world is conceived in various ways. The common denominator is that you end up believing and corroborating that you bring some change to the world through what you do on the internet.
Juan Manuel Baquero notes:
Como traductor, GV significa para mi la oportunidad de hacer llegar a los miembros de mi comunidad lingüística información valiosa para el interés común. Como persona, la oportunidad de ayudar a los demás.
As a translator, GV means the opportunity to bring to the members of my linguistic community, valuable information for the common interest. As an individual it gives me the opportunity to help others.
Rocío Fernández explains:
Recién acabo de incorporarme a GV y al ver mi primera traducción publicada sentí una satisfacción tanto profesional como personal ya que, a la vez que practico una de mis pasiones, la traducción, ayudo a difundir noticias que no están al alcance de gran parte de la población. Por tanto, es un orgullo y un placer poder participar en este magnífico proyecto.
I joined GV recently and seeing my first translation published filled me with huge professional and personal satisfaction and seeing that by indulging in one of my passions, I have contributed in spreading news that is not known by a large part of the population, for that it is a great honor and pleasure to be able to take part in such a wonderful project.
Magda Solari affirms:
Pertenecer a Global Voices significa ser parte de una comunidad internacional de gente que se interesa por la vida y los derechos de otras personas. Que difunde información diferente de la de los diarios, porque sobre todo se preocupa por la situación de las personas comunes. Una comunidad que denuncia lo negativo pero da a conocer también las acciones positivas de organizaciones que se dedican a ayudar a las personas. En suma, una comunidad que no mira para otro lado, sino que se involucra con el fin de trabajar por un mundo mejor.
Belonging to GV means being part of an international community of people who have an interest for the life and rights of other persons. Which spreads information different than the one we read in the newspapers because it cares about the situation about common people. A community which denounces the negative but also sheds light on positive actions of organizations dedicated to helping other people. In brief, a community which only looks to get involved in order to work for a better world.
Fátima del Carmen López Sevilla states:
Para mí, ser parte de Global Voices significa poder ayudar a todo el mundo a acceder a noticias e historias que, de otro modo, quedarían en la sombra. Como traductora, me da una gran satisfacción el poder colaborar a la mayor expansión de estas historias cuando vienen de otros países en otras lenguas. Y, como nos han dicho muchas veces, por poco tiempo que tengamos, lo poco que hagamos ya es mucho en favor de las comunidades y las personas a las que se da voz.
For me being part of Global Voices means being able to help everyone have access to news and stories which otherwise would have fallen into the dark. As a translator, it gives me great satisfaction to be able to contribute to the wide distribution of these stories when coming from other countries and languages. And as we have been told many times, it really doesn't matter if we can dedicate little time on this, the little we do in favor of the communities and persons goes far to give them voice.
Adriana Gutiérrez indicates:
Pertenecer a GV para mí es la oportunidad de ayudar a dar carácter social a la información, difundir las historias de quienes no tienen acceso a los espacios en los grandes medios y facilitar la inclusión de comunidades remotas en la conversación global.
Belonging to GV gives me the opportunity to help shape a social element into the news, spread stories to those who don't have access to the space and the media and facilitate the inclusion of remote communities from the global conversation.
Soledad Blanco says:
Aunque hace poco que colaboro, pertenecer a Global Voices me ha permitido poner en práctica los conocimientos adquiridos en la facultad. También es una forma excelente de llevar a cabo la principal tarea del traductor: ser un puente entre culturas. Gracias a Global Voices podemos ayudar a que muchas personas puedan acceder a información generada en distintas partes del mundo y así disminuir la brecha cultural entre los países desarrollados y los del tercer mundo.
Although I have only been translating for a short time, being part of GV has enabled me to put in practice what I have learned at university. Also, it is a great way to leverage the main task of translator, i.e. to be a bridge between cultures. Thanks to Global Voices, we help in allowing as many people as is possible in accessing information from all over the world and as such fill the cultural gap between developed countries and the third word.
Ingrid Hernández observes:
Para mí, pertenecer a Global Voices significa tener la posibilidad de ayudar a difundir información y conocimiento por medio de la traducción de los artículos allí publicados. Además, me permite crecer profesionalmente, puesto que siempre aprendo algo con los artículos y con las consultas entre la comunidad de traductores.
For me, being a GVer means having the opportunity to help in spreading information and knowledge through translating the articles published here. Moreover, it helps me grow professorially through what I have learned with the articles I translate and with the various discussions between the translators community.
Julio César Ramírez admits:
Bueno, yo soy nuevo en Global Voices y recién me gradué en enero de este año y para mí estar en Global Voices a pesar que casi no se escribe en francés ha sido una gran oportunidad de enriquecer mis habilidades como traductor. Asimismo, ayudar a mucha a gente a que tenga acceso a información de mucha importancia para todos. También, me he sentido bien acogido por el grupo.
Well, I am new to GV and I graduated in January this year and for me being in Global Voices in spite of the fact, that little material is written in French, has been a great opportunity to enrich my capacities as a translator. As such, helping many people to access information which is important for everyone.  I also felt quite welcomed by the group.
Laura Martínez puts it this way:
Para mí (a pesar de colaborar menos de lo que me gustaría) es una forma de hacer llegar información que no vemos en los grandes medios de comunicación a mucha gente, y así difundir realidades que quedan ocultas para la mayor parte de las personas; utilizar internet como herramienta social en la que todos podemos aportar nuestro granito de arena para intentar cambiar un poco el mundo; y en cuanto a la traducción, me produce un placer inmenso trabajar con noticias de todo el mundo, escritas por personas como yo, y, como ya ha dicho alguien, servir de puente para que lleguen a cuanta más gente mejor.
For me (Even though I do contribute less than I wish), it is a way to make information which we don't see in mainstream media accessible to as many people as is possible and thus disseminate ideas that they want to keep away for the majority of people; using the internet as a social tool where everyone can contribute even a little in an attempt to change the world a little bit. As for translation, it gives me huge pleasure to work on news from all over the world written for people like me and as someone said, acts as a bridge for people to be informed better.
Silvia Lopardo notes:
Cuando me anoté en Global Voices, pensé que era una buena forma de practicar lo que tanto me gusta y colaborar con los que se esfuerzan para que las noticias lleguen a todas las personas. A pesar de que no pude participar mucho, me encontré con un grupo de colegas muy comprometidos y dispuestos a ayudar al otro ante cualquier inconveniente. Aprendí mucho con los pocos artículos que traduje.
When I joined Global Voices, I thought it was a good way to practice what I liked and to collaborate with those who struggle so that news reaches everyone. Even though, I am not very active, I found a group of very dedicated people that are always available to help others on any issue. I learned a lot with the few articles, I translated.
Rubén Hilari adds:
Pertenecer a Global Voices Aymarata es una oportunidad de potenciar mi lengua materna y mantener comunicados al pueblo/nación Aymara.
Belonging to Global Voices in Aymara is an opportunity to empower my native language (mother tongue) and keep the village / nation of Aymara well informed.
Finally, Gabriela García Calderón concludes:
Entré como traductora voluntaria a Global Voices en noviembre de 2007, el mismo día del famoso “¿por qué no te callas?” que más de uno recordará. Dos años después, en noviembre de 2009, el entonces editor regional para América Latina, Eduardo Ávila, me invitó a colaborar como autora para el Perú. En estos cinco años, mi relación con Global Voices ha sido continua y diaria.
Al ver nombres de lugares lejanos viajo en el tiempo, a una época en la que me colgaba del hombro de mi hermano mayor, que hacía listas interminables con nombres de países y sus capitales. De tanto leerlos, terminé memorizando muchos y al volver a leerlos ahora, se despiertan antiguos y queridos recuerdos.
Si a eso le sumamos que crecí rodeada de gente relacionada con las noticias, tenemos la combinación perfecta de recuerdos y actualidad.
Además de esto, Global Voices me da todos los días la oportunidad de relacionarme con otros colaboradores, que pueden estar tanto en el país vecino como al otro lado del mundo. Y todos formamos parte del proceso de dar voz a los que normalmente no tendrían voz.
Gracias a Global Voices me siento parte de un mundo cambiante, fascinante, diverso y sin embargo, igual.
I joined Global Voices as a volunteer translator in November 2007, on the very same day of the famous “Why don't you shut up” that many recall. Two years after, in November 2009, Latin America regional director at that time, Eduardo Avila (now Rising Voices Director), invited me to start contributing as an author for Peru. In these 5 years, my relation with GV has been continuous and on a daily basis.
When I see a number of foreign places, I travel to a time where I would hang on the shoulder of my eldest brother who would write endless lists of country names with their capitals. I read them so much that I eventually knew them by heart, and by now reading them again, old and dear memories come back.
And so to wrap it up, I grew up surrounded by people associated with the news and we have the perfect combination of memories and breaking news.
Moreover, every day, Global Voices gives me the opportunity to get in touch with other contributors who reside in neighboring countries or on the other side of the world. And we all constitute a part of the process that gives voices to those who usually wouldn't have one.
Thanks to Global Voices, I feel part of a changing, yet fascinating, and diverse yet equal world.
Athough, it might seem that there were more than enough answers above (22!), as a matter of fact, they only represent a small percent of the large number of volunteer translators at Global Voices. Of the 22, 19 volunteer with Global Voices in Spanish [es], two contribute to GV in English and one translates for GV in Aymara, which gives me lots of pleasure because it shows that our diverse linguistic communities are not isolated but communicate with each other and stay connected. Happy 2013.

author: Juan Arellano


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Central Asia’s Vegan Dishes · Global Voices
Alexander Sodiqov

Qurutob, a traditional Tajik vegetarian dish. Image from Caravanistan, used with permission.
Central Asia has been described ‘the nightmare of a vegetarian‘. Yet, every country in the region has some ‘finger-licking’ vegan dishes to offer to meat avoiders, suggests Caravanistan.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Alexander Sodiqov


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Chadian President Names Sons at Key Executive Positions  · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Djamil Ahmat reports that Chadian president Déby named his son Mahamat Idriss Déby, 24, general of brigade [fr] along with 4 other officers. Tchadanthopus adds that his other son Zackaria Idriss Deby was allegedly offered to be vice-president [fr] with executive power when his father is out of the country.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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China: Significance of the Southern Weekend Incident · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Sino Stand analyzes the social and political implications of Southern Weekend incident in China. Indeed it is a surprising signal that many of China’s youth are primed to push for change.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China to Surpass the US by 2049? · Global Voices
Abby Liu

China is not just competing with the United States, but has also done research on the time it will take to surpass them. According to China's Xinhua news agency, a report released on January 8, 2013, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences says that China is likely to surpass the United States in all areas by 2049, and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be realized. The research comes with a detailed schedule of the potential process.
If Mao were still alive, he would definitely think the process is taking too long. As he mentioned in 1957, he predicted it would take 15 years to catch up with or surpass the UK.
Yang Duogyui, head of the research group, explained [zh] the statement:
我们国家提出“民族伟大复兴”，我个人认为，‘复兴’，就是做当之无愧的世界第一。至于2049年能不能实现，未来几十年中不确定因素很多，我们这个报告是按照当前发展情况不变来分析的。”“‘国家健康’是一个新概念，大家有些异议很正常。
When we say “the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, I personally think “rejuvenation” means to be unquestionably number 1 in the world. As to whether it will be realized, there are many uncertain elements in the future. Our report is based on the current conditions of “national health”, which is a new concept; it’s normal for people to have doubts about it.
A screenshot of the report “China to Surpass the US by 2049″ from Youku
He added that the group will continue with the research. Despite his explanation, the statement has been made fun of on Sina Weibo, with netizens urging the real problems in China to be faced. Even Xinhua News Agency wrote on Weibo [zh]:
令人忍不住对照现实….先解决问题，不要动辄谈“超越”，更别轻易说“复兴”。
[The report] forces people to look at the reality… Solve the social problems before talking about “surpassing” and “rejuvenation”.
Veteran journalist Huang Yigang echoed [zh]:
“赶英超美”的梦幻曾经给中国人民带来深重灾难，今天还有一些人利用这个自我陶醉、忽悠百姓，目的无非是掩盖社会矛盾与执政无能.
China’s dream of “surpassing the UK and the US” has brought lots of disasters for Chinese people; today, some people still indulge in this excuse to coax people. The goal is to cover social problems and political incompetence.
A student, Yue, also said [zh]:
中科院最无意义的研究之一！超越美国其本身是毫无意义的！中科院敢不敢研究一下中美房价物价环保医疗养老？！解决这些问题这才是中国发展的最终目的！
This is the most meaningless research by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Surpassing the US itself is meaningless. Do they dare carry out a comparative research on house prices, the price of goods, the environment, medical care and pensions between the US and China?! Solving these problems is the ultimate goal for China’s development.
News commentator fen wrote [zh]:
50多年前就说要在15年内超英赶美，现在又说要在30年后全面超美，时代变了，弱国心态没变。
Fifty years ago, we said we would surpass the UK and the US within 15 years, now we say we will surpass the US in 30 years. Time has moved on, but the weak country’s mentality is the same.
Online activist Qishi Songzang wrote[zh]:
国力再强，百姓无民主无自由，那也只是一堵镀金的朽墙，我们照样活在1911之前。
Without democracy and freedom, no matter how strong the country is, it would just be a gold-plated rotten wall. We would keep living like we were prior to 1911.
Netizen schumanzou commented [zh] sarcastically:
官员福利，环境恶化早已超越，这还需要再超越吗？
Officials’ social welfare and the deterioration of the environment has surpassed the US, what else do you need to surpass?
Another netizen Zhou Yantao expressed [zh] anxiety over China’s future:
中国会剩下什么？再过20年，中国还有什么？算一笔很简单的帐，目前中国5%的人掌握了中国95%财富，而这5%的人已经移民或者正在办理移民，这意味着，20年后这95%的财富不再是中国人所有，那是，中国还有什么？数亿老人+一片被污染的山川河流+地底下没有资源的土地。是黑是白民众最清楚！
What will be left in China in another 20 years? 5% of the Chinese have mastered 95% of China’s wealth, and that 5% have emigrated or are in the process of emigration, which means that, 20 years from now, 95% of China's wealth will no longer belong to the Chinese. What will be left? Millions of old people, polluted mountains and rivers, and a land with no underground resources. Common people know best!
Famous writer Zhan Hao, with over 200,000 followers on Weibo, analyzed [zh]:
看新闻后边留言，会发现中国人自卑心态多么普遍，这种自卑在中国真正强大后又会变成自大！永远的负能量！
After reading some comments on the news, you will find how inferior Chinese people feel, and when China becomes stronger in a real sense, this inferiority will turn into arrogance, which is always a negative energy.
This post was proofread in English by Georgi McCarthy.

author: Abby Liu


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China’s Ten Ugliest Statues · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Barry van Wyk from DANWEI gives the readers a tour on China's top 10 ugliest statues.


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Chinese Ambiguous Writing on Porridge in Support of Southern Weekly · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

David Bandurski from China Media Project explains a sublime and ambiguous Chinese writing style used through out the China's history to express political meaning. This time, the example is a Porridge article in support of Southern Weekly to get around vigorous censorship orders.


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Communications and Social Change Awards Open for Nominations · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

The Centre for Communication and Social Change at the University of Queensland in Australia is accepting nominations for individuals and organisations working in the theory and/or practice of communications for social change for the Communications and Social Change Awards. Deadline in January 18, 2013.

author: Solana Larsen


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Conversations: A Road Trip to Idlib · Global Voices
Syria Deeply

As part of our collaboration with Syria Deeply we are cross-posting a series of articles that capture civilian voices caught in the crossfire, along with perspectives on the conflict from writers around the world.
Below is a conversation between Syria Deeply and a Syrian university student. She’s from a conservative Sunni family in Aleppo. She hopes to leave the country, but first had to get a passport from her family’s registered home address in Idlib. She told us her observations about the road between Aleppo and Idlib:
The driver took us to Idlib from all the “liberated” villages. We passed from a village called Kafar Halab, which has a big hill nearby. The landscapes there were amazingly beautiful. I want to buy a house there after the revolution..
There was graffiti everywhere we passed through. Some of the writings support the regime and others are supporting the opposition. Each one of them tries to erase the other one and write in its place. It is very childish. You can never trust anyone of them.
I saw the shamsin bread factory on my way and there was an unbelievable crowd in front of it. There were thousands of people fighting and pushing each other for bread. Then I saw the Magic Land restaurant complex. It has a billboard, that now reads “We are a nation whom Allah gave the pride of Islam”.
We passed from a Free Syrian Army checkpoint, and then we reach the Icarda intersection, where was located al-Nusra Front Islamic jihadist group’s checkpoint. Surprisingly, they were nice to us. Perhaps they saw my hijab and modest clothing and they respected that. We passed from Binnish and Taftanaz, both are targets of heavy aerial bombardments, however, life is still normal there and people seem not bothered at all from living under shelling. They are insisting on not leaving their homes. Some university student girls from Binnish joined our vehicle and told us their stories of how they are going to Idlib everyday for their lectures, fearing all the way that a shell, a barrel or a car bomb will take their lives…
Finally we reached Idlib, but my passport wasn’t ready yet. I wandered around and had a tea near the souk. They have a nice souk (covered market), which is exactly a smaller copy of our old souk in Aleppo. There were a lot of people and life was bustling there, just like it used to be in Aleppo before the big fire in the old city and the historic souk two months ago. I bought a Derby chips (a very famous Syrian produced potato chips) and the seller started to chat with me when he heard my Aleppo accent.
He asked me about the situation in Aleppo and I replied that it is still not good. He replied saying that when they were being shelled in Idlib we were making barbeques and eating kebab in Aleppo! I got mad and left the place.
Aleppo, Syria. 28th December 2012 — People gathered around a bakery in the street. — After the loss of water, fuel and electricity cuts in areas controlled by the Free Syrian Army, Syrians try to resume normal daily life in Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War. (Source: Mike Blacktoviche)
I bought some bread from there to bring it home with me, because there is no bread in Aleppo. Before, we used to bring home sweets and other luxuries from our trips, but now a piece of bread is more valued than anything else… I hold the bread with both hands the entire road as if it is a treasure. On my way back to Aleppo, in the front seat of the bus there was very obsequious man, who used to greet every checkpoint we were stopped by. He sucked up to them whether if they were army or rebel checkpoints.
I cannot say how my heart was tearing apart on the road every time I saw these people and our beautiful country burning everywhere. I am sick of all the propaganda, applause, analysis, and everything from both sides. What I saw on the road was enough for me.
These people want to live!

author: Syria Deeply


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East Timorese Politicians on Social Media · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

The most popular East Timorese politician on Facebook, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, with a page that counts up to 6,737 likes, doesn't update it at all. Despite having used Facebook quite intensively during 2012's electoral campaign, President Matan Ruak, with 6,603 likes and a Twitter profile (@MatanRuak), seems to have abandoned social media since roughly one month after taking office. Former President Ramos-Horta – recently appointed UN envoy to Guinea-Bissau – can be followed on Facebook (1,657 likes), as well as FRETILIN's leader and President of the National Assembly Francisco Guterres “Lu OLo“.

author: Sara Moreira


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How Many Twitter Users in China? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A few months ago, a research marketing company claimed that 35 million people in China used Twitter. Jason from Blocked in Weibo puts forward a more sophisticated estimation. Among the 43,784 active Chinese users, the geographical location is shown in the graph above.
The geographical location of Chinese Twitter user. Image from Blocked on Weibo.


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Police Harass Ordinary Citizens in Kerala, India · Global Voices
Inji Pennu

Jyoti Singh Pandey, the girl who fought for her life after a brutal rape which lead to her death, might turn out to be India’s own Susana Trimarco (the Argentinian mother who was the catalyst in changing human trafficking laws in Argentina).
In an interview with Zee news, Jyoti’s friend gave excruciating details about the ordeal on that horrific night, and how the police and administration in Delhi were slow to respond. Zee news was immediately slapped with a charge of disclosing identity and broadcasting the interview.
Among the G20 countries, India stands second worst for gender violence. It is not that Indian democracy lacks enough laws to protect its citizens, rather the lackadaisical attitude of the administration.
The Delhi case has activated many live discussions and the moral policing of the society. Societal character aside, what if the police harass the ordinary citizens instead of preventing such crimes? In Kerala, most recently there have been three such incidents that have been discussed in the social media.
Kerala Police Force – Image by Flickr user Karmadude. CC BY-SA.
Sharon Rani writes about her ordeal while visiting Kerala from Bhutan. She was spending an evening with a friend in the cosmopolitan city of Kochi in Kerala. On the pretext of questioning her whereabouts, police in mufti showered her with sexually explicit barrage of questions about her relationship with her friend and verbally harassed her.
Shahina Nafeesa replies to this article,
Bravo dear Sharon, Thx for sharing this nauseating experience.I know how precious time is for a person on holidays,yet I wish you would have dropped a written complaint to the IGP.I dont think the rule of law has the ultimate answers to all questions,but it would make an impact for law being the only tool for women who are struggling to negotiate with this mindless city..
In Mavelikkara, another town in Kerala, a similar incident was reported where the Kerala police questioned ten and sixteen year old girls inquiring them about their sexual activities. In fact, the kids were actually taken in for questioning about their parents alleged involvement with the banned Maoist party.
Madhu Soodanan says:
എന്തു ന്യായം പൊലീസിനും പട്ടാളത്തിനും പറയാനുണ്ടെങ്കിലും മനുഷ്യാവകാശ ലംഘനം നടത്താനവരെ അനുവദിയ്ക്കരുതു. നിങ്ങളുടെ രാഷ്ട്റീയ ശത്രുവിനു മേലിന്നു അതിക്രമം നടക്കുമ്പോൾ കണ്ണടച്ചാൽ നാളെ നിങ്ങളുടെ വാതിലും അവർ അർധരാത്രിയിൽ മുട്ടും.
Whatever reasons are there for the police or the military, human rights violations should not be allowed. If you close your eyes to such violations, tomorrow your door will be knocked at too.
Girish Kumar adds,
വനിതാ പോലീസിനെ കുറ്റം പറയേണ്ട. അവര് ഈ സംവിധാനത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗം. പുരുഷപേലീസിനെ പോലെ അധികാരത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗം. യഥാര്ഥത്തില് ഈ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളെ എന്തിനാണു പോലീസ് പിടിച്ചത്. ഇവരുടെ കൂടെ യോഗം ചേര്ന്നവര് മാവോയിസ്റ്റുകള് അത്രേ. ഇതു രുപേഷിനെയും ഷൈനയേയും പിടിക്കാന് മക്കളെ ജാമ്യക്കാരായി പിടിക്കുന്നതിന്റെ ഭാഗം തന്നെ. അതിനു മനുഷ്യാവകാശ ലംഘനംതന്നെ മാര്ഗം.
There is no point in blaming the female police officers. They are just part of the patriarchy in the system. Why did they question these kids? They were trying to track down their parents. For that, human rights violation is their only method.
It was also reported that a married couple in Alappuzha town was harassed by the police under similar circumstances.
Jai Krishnan asks,
പ്രായ പൂര്ത്തിയായവര്ക്ക് വിവാഹം ഇല്ലാതെ തന്നെ ഒരുമിച്ചു ജീവിക്കാന് ഭരണ ഘടന പ്രകാരം അവകാശമുള്ള ഈ നാട്ടില് , അത് കാമുകി കാമുകന് മാരാനെങ്കില് തന്നെ നടപടി എടുക്കാന് എന്ത് അവകാശമാണ് പോളിസിനുള്ളത്?
The constitutional law states that even unmarried couples can live together in this country, then even if they are not married, how can the police arrest them for being together?
If this is how the police force are trained to bring law and order to its citizens, will there be any visible signs of improvement in the society in the near future?

author: Inji Pennu


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Internet Boycott Leads to Resignation of “La Comay” in Puerto Rico · Global Voices
Ángel Carrión

(All links lead to Spanish language sites, except where otherwise noted)
On the night of 8 January, 2013, social networks were flooded with reports of the resignation of TV producer, Antulio “Kobbo” Santarrosa, from local TV station, WAPA. Santarrosa, the man behind the puppet personality, La Comay, produced what was probably the most controversial program on Puerto Rican television: “SuperXclusivo.”
Santarrosa's resignation is the culmination of a movement that started on Facebook. The online movement called for the boycott of the “SuperXclusivo” show due to comments made by Santarrosa that caused widespread upset among Puerto Ricans. Santarrosa insinuated that a murder and torture victim got what he deserved, for being in a secluded part of the town of Caguas, which, according to him, was a “prostitution and homosexuality” hotspot [see video from 6:48 minutes in]. The movement brought about sufficient pressure for various companies to withdraw their ads during the hour in which the program aired, and WAPA decided not to broadcast the program live any longer, in order for it to be screened for potential inflammatory content by the channel's administration.
The movement caused a controversy which raised interesting questions on censorship,  what constitutes a boycott, and whether Santarrosa's program could be considered journalism or not.
On Twitter, users expressed incredulity, jubiliation, protest and indifference. Of course, there was no shortage of comments with a sense of humor, either:
@GelockS: Todavia no lo creo… RIP La Comay?
@GelockS: I still can't believe it… RIP La Comay?
@Rene_A_Vargas: Hasta nunca, Kobbo. No serás extrañado. Mucho que aprender sobre la caída de la Comay. Felicidades a @BoicotLaComay y a @PedroJulio.
@Rene_A_Vargas: See you never, Kobbo. You won't be missed. Still a lot to find about the fall of La Comay. Congratulations to @BoicotLaComay and to @PedroJulio.
@SoyRobi: No veo La Comay pero simpatizo con la postura de Kobbo de no permitir censura y aunque sus compañeros no se den cuenta protege a otros…
@SoyRobi: I don't watch La Comay but I sympathise with Kobbo's stand on not bowing to censorship and even though his colleagues might not realise it, it protects others.
@marinaov21: cancelaron la comay. aunque eso no resuelve nada, es un buen comienzo hacia un mejor futuro. :)
@marinaov21:  They cancelled la comay. even though this doesn't resolve anything, it's a good start towards a better future.
@manolexico: Hoy es la comay, mañana puede ser Pedro Julio….
@manolexico: Today, it's la comay, tomorrow it could be Pedro Julio….
@DraMontijo: El Fin de La Comay. Se caen Los Imperios. El Poder de las Redes Sociales.
@DraMontijo: The end of La Comay. Empires are falling. The Power of Social Networks.
@adriana_baez: El hecho de que se cancele La Comay no va a afectar para bien o para mal a Puerto Rico #sameshit
@adriana_baez: The fact that they canceled La Comay is not going to affect Puerto Rico for better, nor for worse. #sameshit
@Barbarajosefina: A que Telemundo, Univision u otro canal lo contrata… tiempo al tiempo. Y ojalá me equivoque. Ojalá!!!
@Barbarajosefina: Telemundo, Univision or some other channel will pick him up… give it time. I hope that I'm wrong. God willing!!!
@GabrieloscarRR: Un PR sin la Comay como Cuba sin Fidel
@GabrieloscarRR: Puerto Rico with no La Comay is like Cuba without Fidel
@darkRemiiix: Que comiencen los memes de La Comay…
@darkRemiiix: Let the La Comay memes begin…
There is one thing that cannot be doubted: the key role played by social networks in bringing about the resignation of the producer who had reigned for years with the largest TV audience in Puerto Rico and who had thought he was untouchable.

author: Ángel Carrión


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Jordan: Good White Morning from Amman  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Amin Amin shares this photograph from the Jordanian capital Amman this morning:
A good white morning from Amman. Photograph shared on Twitter by @aamin1968

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Kuwaiti Twitter User Jailed for Two Years for Insulting Emir  · Global Voices
Mona Kareem

Seven months after the sentencing a Twitter user to five years in jail for defaming the Emir of Kuwait, another Twitter user Ayyad Al-Harbi was sentenced this Monday to two years in jail for the same charge. Al-Harbi wrote several tweets critical of the Emir and the oppression practiced against protesters. According to the court order (published by Sabr online), the tweets Ayyad was prosecuted for contain the following lines:
- Damn any ruler who jails his people. Damn any ruler that has more opposition than supporters.
– Your highness, the best unity between Kuwaitis happened in Erada square and you targeted it.
– What is left? no revolution, no development, no freedom, no dignity, no parliament, no voting, no protests, no objection, for God's sake, what are you doing to us?
– So I should either insult and accuse people of things with no proof and say it is freedom or I should say my account is hacked and get released?
– If you are not Kuwaiti, then you are from the Gulf. You will face the oppression and tyranny and arrests with a bit of oil.
– The tyrant and oppressor should not be apologized to, he should fall down and be on trial and jailed and killed.
– Curse the state that does not stop its dogs from eating the dignity of its people just because they are opposing.
Al-Harbi was also charged for retweeting a poem by Iraqi poet Ahmed Matar critical of dictators. The tweep also wrote a tweet when the Emir left to Jordan saying:
Since he left to Amman for fishing, the children sang for rain after the adults were singing “beating the people has become a norm.”
Right after his sentence was announced, Al-Harbi tweeted his last tweet:
أحبّــــّــّــك .. يا وطن !
@ayyadQ8Q8: I love you, my country!
Al-Harbi posted on the 6th of January that he is facing three charges:
غداً صباحاً النطق بمحاكمتي على تهم أمن الدولة ( الطعن بالذات الأميرية / نشر أخبار كاذبة بالخارج / إساءة إستخدام هاتف ) لا تحرمونا من دعائكم
@ayyadQ8Q8: Tomorrow morning, the court verdict on my case will be made regarding charges made by the state security: defaming the Emir, spreading false news abroad, and misusing a cellphone. Your prayers matter.
Twitter users from Kuwait and other countries wrote critically of having such a sentence that violates one's right to free speech. Ayyad's friend Hussain Al-Shammari posted Ayyad's picture with a comment:
قبل يومين أخرج لي عياد الحربي السلاح الخاص الذي حُكم عليه بالسجن بسببه ، كان عبارة عن 140 حرف وأحلام ممتدة للسماء !
“@Havana_H : Two days ago, Ayyad Al-Harbi showed me his special weapon which got him two years in jail.. it was 140 letters and dreams that reach the sky.”
Sabr online newspaper posted a picture of Ayyad's Kuwaiti passport in reaction to those accusing him of being Saudi citizen:
Egyptian activist Gamal Eid commented in solidarity:
صديقنا وزميلنا عياد الحربي من الكويت ، حتى أمس كان يغرد معنا ، والان اضيف لقائمة سجناء الرأي رقم جديد !!
@gamaleid: Our friend and colleague Ayyad al-Harbi from Kuwait was with us tweeting until yesterday and has become now a new number in the list of prisoners of conscience.
Monther alhabeeb, from Kuwait, who was arrested before in a protest, wrote a tweet after Ayyad's sentence and about the other detainees in Kuwait Rashed Al-Enizi and Salam Al-Rujaib, who were arrested in the latest opposition rally, and Bedoon [stateless] activist Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli:
كل دقيقة لكم في الزنازين تستنشقون بها حريتكم، هي تمر علينا كالساعات نتجرع بها الإنكسار. الحربي العنزي الرجيب الفضلي
@Montheralhabeeb: In every minute passing while you're in jail, you breathe your freedom. Those minutes pass like hours for us as we taste grief.

author: Mona Kareem


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Misconceptions about the Economic Situation in Iceland  · Global Voices
Stanislas Jourdan

BECAUSE I’M TIRED OF PEOPLE SPREADING UNTRUTHS
Baldur Bjarnason writes a blogpost on how the crisis in Iceland is actually unfolding on Studio Tendra. He details the cozy relationship between the Iceland government and the IMF, decrypts the banks going bankrupt and especially denounced the plight of a growing number of Icelandic citizens who are struggling under the weight of mortgage loans whose interest rates have skyrocketed with the collapse of the Icelandic krona. Why these myths are disseminated, he asks.  “The only thing I know is that you are being lied to and that Icelanders are also very good at lying to themselves. Besides, if we were not, we would not be in this mess in the first place.”

author: Stanislas Jourdan


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Public Prosecutor Seeks Flogging for Saudi Women Protesters · Global Voices
Anas Soliman

Last Saturday, January 5, 2013 relatives of uncharged prisoners managed to organize a small protest in Saudi Arabian city Buraida to demand the release of the prisoners.  The protesters, all of them were women and children, were quickly surrounded and arrested by police forces since all methods of public dissent are strictly prohibited and harshly crushed in the absolute monarchy. This ban, however, did not stop families from organizing tens of protests and sit-ins over the past two years in every part of the country where independent human rights sources say that there are over 30,000 uncharged prisoners, many of whom were arrested in the massive, post-9/11 “war on terrorism”.
Anonymous activism group @e3teqal (which translates to “detainment”) reported that force was used when women and children were arrested [ar]:
عاجل تم توثيق الاعتداء على النساء والأطفال أثناء النقل بالقوة من قبل أحد المارة الكرام
@e3teqal: Urgent:  The assault on women and children when they were transferred by force was documented by a pedestrian.
The women surrounded by police forces on Saturday, via @ImaQh
When the women and children were arrested, their relatives headed to al-Safra Prison near Buraida, where they were said to be held.  Riot police surrounded the place, but the sit-in continued overnight.  In the morning, the prince of Qassim province, where Buraida is, issued an order [ar] to release some of the protesters, transfer others to Riyadh (including at least one child) and continue to hold the rest in Buraida.  At 2:06 PM, one of those taking part in the sit-in tweeted:
نحن اﻵن محاصرون وعدد الرجال قرابة الخمسين والنساء عشر نساء..ﻻ تنسونا من الدعاء والمناصرة بالميادين
@m44au: We were surrounded.  The men are fifty and the women are ten.  Pray for us, and come to help.
A video was uploaded for an old woman crying “five minutes before their arrest“.
Later that day, some of the protesters were released after pledging that they will not protest again.  One of them tweeted:
شيخ طاعن بالسن بكاء بكاءًا شديدًا لمّا قال له المحقق : ماذا تريد ؟ رد عليه : لا أريد أبنائي، فقط أريد بناتي !
@majeed06: A very old man was crying a lot, when the interrogator asked him, “What do you want?” He answered: “I do not want my sons, I just want my daughters”
Three of the women arrested in the original protest were brought to court in Buraida yesterday morning, January 9, in an unprecedented timely manner.  The trial was secret, and the judge insisted that only one man should accompany each of the women.   Activists and relatives were kept out [ar] by court security.
The public prosecutor said that the women should be flogged for protesting:
المدعي العام ابراهيم الدهيش طالب القاضي بسجن المعتقلات وجلدهن وكان حريصا على ذلك
@abdulllah1406: The public prosecutor Ibrahim al-Dihish asked the judge to jail the detainees and to flog them and he insisted on that.
طلب القاضي من النساء عدةمرات ان يعتذرن عن التظاهر فرفضن ذلك
@abdulllah1406: The judge asked the women several times to apologize for protesting, but they refused.
قالت احدى المعتقلات والله لو تحكمون بخمس عشر سنه لن نعتذر فنحن نطالب بحق مشروع
@abdulllah1406: One of the detainees said: I swear to God that even if you sentence us to fifteen years in jail, we will not apologize.  We are demanding our legitimate right.
The judge ruled that the women were guilty, but the five days they spent in detainment were enough.  The rest of the women protesters, including the ones transferred to Riyadh, remain under arrest without trial.

author: Anas Soliman


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Russia’s Protest Movement Is Back (to Usual) · Global Voices
Kevin Rothrock

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past year: the Russian protest movement—which sprung to life in December 2011—has collapsed. The most trusted [ru] figure of the 2011-2012 protests, Leonid Parfenov, is on television selling American toothpaste [ru]; the opposition's most popular blogger, Rustem Adagamov, faces pedophilia allegations from his ex-wife; and a December 15, 2012, unsanctioned march on the FSB's headquarters attracted a measly fraction of the hundred thousand Muscovites who demonstrated a year earlier. In other words, Russia's opposition—as it's been known throughout the Putin years—is back to usual.
Take as a case in point the debate surrounding the creation of “Hyde Park” inspired Speakers’ Corners in Moscow. Late last month, the city's legislature passed a measure [ru] to create two [ru] such spaces, where Muscovites will be free to gather for demonstrations without a permit. (Three days advance “notification” is required, however.) The politics of permits and rally sites has long been the crux of Russian protest organization. The pattern is simple: the opposition requests access to some central node of the city; the municipal government refuses and suggests a less central alternative; the opposition claims that their civil right to assembly is being trampled; and they then either take or walk away from the deal being offered. At the outset of the December 2011 protests, there was just such a scenario (albeit behind closed doors, in a meeting that's now frowned on as a betrayal of sorts), and the protesters agreed to compromise.
Gorky Park in Moscow, main entrance, 28 July 2006, photo by Nate Edwards, CC 2.0.
The opposition's willingness to compromise on demonstration locations seems to be related closely to the protest movement's popularity. At the peak of the so-called “snow revolution,” organizers accepted venues at Bolotnaia Square and Prospekt Sakharov—both separated by water or not insignificant distance from the Kremlin. The symbolism of being relegated to the city's periphery was powerful, but it was only after the movement began to falter that leaders reverted to the obstinacy of past oppositionist efforts, like Other Russia and Strategy 31, when no sanctioned rally site would do.
So, no, the protest movement's leaders have not welcomed the arrival of Speakers’ Corners in Moscow parks. Prominent oppositionists have said the locations are too far from the center. Currently, the city is planning to open two such areas, one in Gorky Park and another in Sokolniki Park. The latter park, for instance, is situated near Moscow's outskirts. Gorky Park, on the other hand, is a major hub of Moscow life, attracting families and tourists from far and wide. The city's Department of Culture actually conducted an online poll [ru] last year, asking the public where it wanted to base these Hyde Park clones. A piddling 1,400 people participated, and Bolotnaia Square captured more than 55% of the votes. (Gorky and Sokolniki parks each captured 13% of the electorate.) Luzhniki Stadium, the runner-up choice of those 1,400 brave Internet voters, is actually located over four miles from the Kremlin. The main entrance to Gorky Park, on the other hand, is just 2.5 miles south of the Kremlin. (In London, at the original Hyde Park, the official Speakers’ Corner is 2.3 miles from the Houses of Parliament.)
Of course, the Moscow legislature's Hyde Park initiative wouldn't be a Russian legal effort if it didn't have a few illiberal quirks. Rallies at the “Hyde Parks” are not allowed to use special audio or video equipment, or construct any stages. The legislation also bans [ru] car-caravan protests (like the one the opposition organized in January 2012) inside Moscow's traffic-congested Garden Road. The city's Duma also intensified limitations to the practice of “single-person pickets,” where protesters gather individually and pretend to demonstrate without group coordination. Those kind souls now have to stand at least 50 meters apart, or they face arrest and fines.
And then there's the very concept of a Speakers’ Corner. A nineteenth century English invention, Hyde Park's open forum for public discussion was a hotbed for demonstrations for years before the Parliament formally granted the space its special legal status. As if to showcase Russia's fetish for statism, Moscow's Hyde Park parallel has been entirely top-down. The city even conducted a poll specifically addressing the question of location, and then promptly ignored the results. The public's weak feedback, moreover, also demonstrates an utter lack of interest in a free speech zone.
The opposition's leaders, too, have been extremely dismissive. Eduard Limonov has promised to ignore any Hyde Park clones in Moscow, telling [ru] Kremlin-friendly newspaper Vzgliad:
Как дрессированные кошки? Конечно, мы не пойдем. Мне кажется, большинство политических организаций не будет туда ходить. Гордость возобладает, я думаю.
[Go to these parks] like trained cats? Of course we won't go. And it seems to me that most political organizations won't go. Pride will win out, I think.
Oppositionist Coordinating Council member Andrei Piontkovsky told [ru] Voice of America that the modern-day Hyde Park has become a romping grounds for “freaks” and no longer has any relationship to free speech, which can't be confined to special “corners”:
Нынешнее законодательство предусматривает очень жесткое наказание не только за организацию, но и за участие в несанкционированных митингах, и я вижу явный вектор движения от авторитарного курса к тоталитарному.
The current legislation stipulates very high penalties not just for the organization but also participation in unsanctioned rallies, and I see an obvious motion vector from an authoritarian to a totalitarian course.
The idea of bringing a version of Hyde Park to Moscow is not a new one. President Medvedev supported [ru] the notion as far back as April 2009, and Vladimir Putin restarted [ru] the momentum last February. In May 2012, journalist Vladimir Pozner wrote on Ekho Moskvy's blog to offer cautious support [ru] for the plan, provided that other forms of protest would still be permitted elsewhere in Moscow:
Если это искреннее устремление московских властей создать площадку для дискуссий, если они правда хотят этого – флаг им в руки.
If the Moscow authorities sincerely aspire to create this platform for discussion—if they really want this—then more power to them.
Pozner's attitude is justifiably cautious, particularly in the current legislative environment, where every month brings a new Duma initiative to “tighten the screws” on protesters and Kremlin critics. But even such tentative interest in a Moscow Hyde Park is rare among the opposition's leaders today. That spirit of compromise has withered and the movement has grown desperate for a fight that might arm it with a few new martyrs.
In a park open to all manner of free speech, oppositionists are naturally terrified that they might find themselves among “the freaks.” Scarier still, some Russians might decide that's where they belong.

author: Kevin Rothrock


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Students Revisit the Unique Link between Corsica and Puerto Rico · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Puerto Rican students visiting the town of Bastia in Corsica, France – via Vallendrea- Public domain
Puerto Rico and Corsica (France) share a common bond that is often revisited by an exchange program led by the university of Puerto Rico [fr]. Notwithstanding their similar geographic and agricultural traits (Cultivation of Corsican Citron), the islands are also link by history when hundreds of Corsicans immigrated to Puerto Rico as early as 1830.


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The Three Kings Visit New York · Global Voices
Yarisa Colon

The Three Kings came and went, but not before passing through New York City to celebrate with hundreds of children that came out for the parade organized by the Museo del Barrio on January 4, an atypically sunny Friday for the month.  This Christmas celebration, whose historic and religious background is quite complex (much like Christianity itself), has been a part of the Caribbean and Latin American cultural traditions for numerous centuries.
In Puerto Rico, for example, on the eve of the Three Kings’ visit, children leave grass in a shoebox for the horses of Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar, thanking them for the gifts they will receive the next day. In fact, this tradition has transformed over the years in a very creative way. As such, the kings arrive on horseback, not on camels, and are celebrated with promises [es] carved by santeros (artisans of religious images) that are a source of inspiration and joy.
Here we share a series of photographs taken by Puerto Rican artist Josué Guarionex that show some of the faces he managed to capture amidst all the commotion.
Jesús “Papoleto” Melendez, a poet born and raised in East Harlem, was chosen to be the emeritus king at the parade.
Dancers performing to traditional Peruvian music.
Osvaldo Gómez delighted us with his beautiful presence.
We can almost feel the energy of this band in this photo.
Hundreds of boys and girls with their paper crowns from 106th to 116th Street and Park Avenue.
Distinguished reporter, María Hinojosa, and activist, Angie Rivera, were chosen as the queens for this event.
Fátima Shama, commissioner for the New York Office of Immigrant Affairs, was chosen as one of the queens as well.
Tanya Torres, a Puerto Rican artist residing in East Harlem, was one of the godmothers at the parade, Nadema Agard, Cecilia Gastón, Christine Licata and Sandra Morales-De León.
Walking along the streets of New York with so many children is a tremendous gift.

author: Yarisa Colon


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Turkmenistan: What Do Tourists Want? · Global Voices
Alexander Sodiqov

The government of Turkmenistan is investing [ru] heavily in tourism infrastructure on the country's Caspian Sea shore. But blogger Ruslan T. explains [ru] that lavish hotels and seaside resorts are not what the rare tourists visiting Turkmenistan want:
Tourists coming to Turkmenistan do not seek five-star hotels and casinos; they do not travel to exotic countries for something which they can easily find close to home. They are interested in the local [customs and traditions], antiquities, and the Silk Road.


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What Happened to the Cable? Cubans Discuss Internet Access · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

“The cable has a shelf life of 25 years. Time flies.” So begins the last post [es] on “Desde adentro de Cuba” [es] (“From inside Cuba”), a blog that compiles a chronology of the articles published throughout the island's state media and, specifically, on Cubadebate [es], about the fate of the $70 million investment that the Caribbean nation made in 2007 to improve access to the Internet and the “actual speed of broadcasting information” in Cuba.
“Cuba has been discussing cable for over five years,” says Adrián Jesús Pérez [es], who adds:
Habla el informático, pero también el doctor, el panadero y el cuentapropista con un familiar cumpliendo misión internacionalista, o simplemente emigrado a otro país. Uno siempre quiere saber de la familia y esta noticia hace soñar con más facilidades de comunicación.
The computer technician is talking, but so is the doctor, the baker and the freelancer with an acquaintance on an internationalist mission, or simply someone emigrating to another country. People always want to hear from their family and this news makes them dream about more ease of communication.
In May 2012, more than a year after the arrival of cable to Cuba, the Venezuelan Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Jorge Arreaza, announced [es] that the fiber optic cable would be operational and would also be improving Venezuela's connectivity.
Nevertheless, Cuba did not see improvements in connection speeds nor an increase in web access. In an article published in November 2012 by Luis Toledo Sande, the blogger recalls stereotypes that ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) have suffered in the country, and emphasizes the lack of information around Internet access:
Published in blog La Joven Cuba (Young Cuba) after Gerardo Hernández Nordelo's cartoons. (Translation: Oh no!!! Was that the ship that brought the cable?)
Saltando como liebre, o asomando como topo, el fantasma de la satanización de la tecnología recuerda cierto caso, no remoto, en que —según testigos— un cuadro de alto nivel dijo que los investigadores de un centro analizado estaban tan mal ideológicamente, o eran tan sospechosos, que querían tener computadoras hasta en sus casas. No por gusto se despertaron suspicacias cuando, en días en que se hablaba de la instalación de un cable de fibra óptica para mejorar la informática en el país, algunas voces se apresuraron a advertir que no debíamos hacernos ilusiones, porque el cable no tendría capacidad suficiente para garantizar los servicios de internet en las magnitudes deseadas. Hoy parece que nadie se ilusiona, y no porque dichos servicios no sigan siendo necesarios, sino porque ni siquiera se habla del cable. En eso, al parecer, no hay secretismo, sino secreto, y las causas pueden ser las más atendibles, pero no lo sabemos. Hasta donde alcanza a conocer quien escribe estas notas, nadie ha dado la esperada información.
Jumping like a hare or hovering like a mole, the ghost of technology's demonization brings back a certain case, not remote, in which — according to witnesses — a high level board said that researchers in an analyzed center were in such a poor ideological state, or they were so suspicious, that they even wanted to have computers in their homes. No wonder suspicions were awakened when, in the days when there was talk of installing the fiber optic cable to improve the country's information technology, some voices were quick to warn others that we should not become hopeful, because the cable would not have the capacity needed to ensure Internet services of the desired magnitude. Today it seems as though no one is hopeful and not because said services have been rendered unnecessary, but because no one even speaks of the cable. There is no excessive secrecy in that, nor a secret even, and the reasons may be quite valid, but we do not know. No one has given the much awaited-for information to the best known writer of these notes.
On his part, Alejandro Ulloa asks, “why is there no explanation for the cable in Venezuela?” in a post [es] published recently where he criticizes the state media, the lack of information, and denounces corruption cases, among other problems currently facing Cuban society.
Meanwhile, Noelbis Mompié, talks about his experience [es] on a panel put together by Cuban magazine Temas (“Topics”) on “Social networks and movements on the Internet.”
Uno de los panelistas hacía referencia a que la Internet es una tecnología extraordinaria y debemos usarla en la medida que podamos pero para Cuba es equivalente a la importación, por un momento pensé, si todos los que están sumidos en la férrea batalla para reducir al mínimo las importaciones piensan así, ahora sí no tendremos Internet jamás. Será por eso que el Internet murió el mismo día en que el cable de fibra óptica llegó a las costas cubanas?
One of the panelists made a reference to the Internet being an extraordinary work of technology and that we should use it to the extent that we can, but for Cuba it is the equivalent of a foreign import; for a moment I thought, if all of us who are immersed in the harsh battle to minimize imports think this way, we really will never have the Internet. Could this be why the Internet died the same day that fiber optic cable reached Cuban shores?
Even Yasel Toledo, from his blog Mira Joven, emphasizes [es] the inevitable inclusion of the fiber optic cable in current talks.
El señor me hizo más preguntas, muchas en verdad. Hablamos hasta del cable de fibra óptica, de las deserciones de profesionales, de las diferencias entre las misiones a la guerra de Angola y las actuales.
The man asked me more questions, many to be honest. We even talked about fiber optic cables, professionals dropping out, the differences between the missions to the war in Angola and the current ones.

author: Elaine Díaz


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2012: A Year of Revolt and Social Change in Francophone Countries: Part 1 of 2 · Global Voices
Rakotomalala

2012 is over, and for Francophone countries a more serene 2013 would be more than welcome.
The year 2012 was marked by armed conflicts in Mali, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in the Central African Republic (CAR). There were elections in Senegal, as well as in Quebec and France. Demonstrations for change took place in Chad as well as Madagascar and Togo. Debate raged on topics such as immigration, the economic crisis and equal marriage rights. All this took place against a backdrop of major changes in the ways of sharing information.
In the first part of our 2012 review, we recap what was an eventful year in Francophone countries with the help of Global Voices contributors:
The future of Mali  (by Marc-André Boisvert)
A long chain of events completely devastated the country in 2012 as a Tuareg rebellion was followed by a military coup and the fall of North Mali, which was subsequently captured by Islamist groups. There have been endless political military shake-ups: during this one year, Mali's well-polished international image as a model of democracy and development has been completely shattered, leaving the country destabilised, broken and neglected.
Mali begins Touareg dialogue. Image by Flickr user Magharebia (CC BY 2.0)
A year ago in Mali tweets, facebook posts and blogs were mainly personal. At the start of 2012 the only political content was from candidates honing their campaign strategies for the presidential elections (subsequently cancelled) expected to take place that April.
During 2012 Malians took over social networks. More effective than the mainstream media, internet users shared images of amputations committed by Islamists under the hashtag #Mali and exchanged views on the new powers, notably on messaging list Malilink.
The Northern Citizens Collective  (COREN) and the Cri de Cœur collective mobilised Malians and their allies to send humanitarian aid to occupied regions. Social networks were no longer simply a tool for sharing people's impotence faced with the atrocities occurring, rather, they were used to organise people, to rise up and refuse to accept the situation.
The people of Mali weren't just waiting around for outside intervention – the internet is proof of that.
Passing crisis of transformation of society?
The economic crisis was the central theme of the 2012 French election. After nearly four years of the crisis the question was, rather that it being a temporary crisis, were we witnessing a structural transformation of society and the way it functions?
Innovative ideas emerged on the possible ways society could evolve with regard to the current economic context. Stanislas Jourdan enlightened us with ideas exchanged on various approaches which could transform the existing paradigms. The direct democracy team initiative for a guaranteed basic income in Switzerland was part of this:
L'initiative populaire « pour un revenu de base inconditionnel » propose d'inscrire dans la constitution fédérale « l'instauration d'une allocation universelle versée sans conditions » devant «permettre à l'ensemble de la population de mener une existence digne et de participer à la vie publique ». La loi réglerait le financement et fixerait le montant de cette allocation. Le revenu de base est inconditionnel : il n'est subordonné à aucune contre-prestation. [..] Comment le financer? Par l'impôt direct sur le revenu et la fortune, par l'impôt indirect sur la consommation (la TVA), par un impôt sur les transactions financières, et surtout par le transfert des ressources consacrées au financement de l'AVS, de l'AI, de l'aide sociale et des autres revenus de substitution inférieurs au montant du revenu de base.
Human reasons to work by freeworldcharter.org via active rain used with permission
The Occupy Movement was started in North America, and among other aims, worked to remove debt from families and students by crowdfunding, similar to the way that governments aided the banks during the subprime mortgage crisis:
[It] would create fiat money in the same way as with Quantitative Easing, but would direct that money to the bank accounts of the public with the requirement that the first use of this money would be to reduce debt. Debtors whose debt exceeded their injection would have their debt reduced but not eliminated, while at the other extreme, recipients with no debt would receive a cash injection…
Rebels without a cause?
Whether the M23 rebels in the DRC, the Seleka Coalition in the Central African Republic or Islamist groups in Mali, groups rarely claim a clear political ideology or uniformity of operation between their various factions. These armed groups have strongly expanded their spheres of influence in 2012, establishing a definite lever for negotiations in the stabilisation process in their respective regions. As noted by Julie Owono, the timing of the progression of attacks in the CAR suggests that financial stakes have changed the deal regarding short-term objectives of the Seleka rebels. In the DRC, Anna Gueye detailed the complex historical context of the M23 rebellion and its recent evolution. The financial stakes in the Kivu and Katanga regions are extremely high. The tragic new feature in 2012 was the expansion of the conflict and the humanitarian disaster to areas with high potential for intensification of the violence. The remarkable initiatives of the civilian population did much to protect the health and the social cohesion of populations weakened by these conflicts.
The second part of this 2012 review of Francophone countries will follow shortly.
Anna Gueye, Julie Owono, Abdoulaye Bah, Marc-André Boisvert and Stanislas Jourdan contributed to this post.

author: Rakotomalala


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2012: Year of Milestones for Global Voices Lingua Project · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Check out our regional reviews Global Voices in 2012
We had a great 2012 in Lingua, the project that makes Global Voices truly global. This piece touches upon  just a few of the milestones in a year where our reasons to celebrate were many: we have never translated this much, the community has never been this large, and we have never enjoyed this much media attention, or faced as many challenges, as we have in 2012.
Most Global Voices posts have been translated into at least one other language. All but one of the most popular 2012 stories have translations, ranging from one to 17 languages each. Our teams of volunteers produced a total  of close to 18,000 translations in 33 languages in 2012. Effectively, since our launch in 2007, Lingua volunteers have produced nearly 72,300 translations. Which means we could reach a combined milestone of 100,000 translations by the end of 2013!
Lingua Project Global Voices in Malagasy
Milestones
In 2012, Global Voices in French achieved the 10,000 translations mark; Global Voices in Malagasy and in Bengali reached 5,000 posts, with Global Voices in Chinese not far away. With less than two years of launch, Global Voices in Greek published over 2,000 translations, whereas Global Voices in Spanish is almost certain to end it sixth year in 2013 with 20,000 translations.
Smaller languages have also experienced amazing growth, both in terms of the number of translations published and in community members, as well as in recognition. For the first time, Global Voices in German reached a 50 posts a month mark in an exceptionaly busy November. Our friends at Global Voices in Aymara, who often use internet cafes to upload translations, charmed the audience of the International Conference on Aymara Language and Culture in Iquique, Chile, talking about the project's contribution to preserving the language and dissemination of world history through translations.
Growth
Two new sites kicked off in 2012: Global Voices Bulgarian was launched in the first half of the year, and Global Voices in Amharic in the second half, bringing the total number of languages to 35. In addition to these, we were happy to see seven sites that had been inactive making a comeback: Global Voices in Myanmar/Burmese, Global Voices in Urdu, Global Voices in Turkish, Global Voices in Filipino, Global Voices in Indonesian, Global Voices in Swahili, and Global Voices in Farsi.
The overall interest in the Lingua community has been bigger than ever before, with most sites being flooded with applications from new volunteers. There are presently nearly 600 active translators in the community, an increase of over 200 active volunteers compared to last year. Global Voices in Japanese alone has 140 more translators than the team had in 2011, and Global Voices in Polish has received over 100 applications – how amazing is that? In 2013, we hope more of our volunteers will become more active.
Yet, we are still looking for volunteers to reactivate Global Voices in Hindi, Global Voices in Hebrew, which we hope to re-activate in 2013, and strengthen Global Voices in Cambodian, in Korean, in Macedonian, in Serbian and in Albanian. Being part of Global Voices is a very meaningful experience for our collaborators, and we are extremely grateful to each one of them. Would you care to join this amazing team?
Global Voices in Hungarian team meet up for a translation workshop and fun in Budapest, August 2012
Projects and changes
Growth apart, perhaps the most dramatic changes in Lingua project in recent years is the process that we no longer “just translate”, but we also produce news in a number of languages. As a consequence, Lingua is rapidly changing from a community of translators to include a community of multilingual content producers. These changes may point to an interesting future for the Lingua Project, and for Global Voices in general, towards a Multilingual Newsroom.
This experiment has allowed for very unusual language pairs, demanding more workflows and inspiring new ways of doing things, bringing a new set of skills to Lingua and many new challenges to editors: in 2012 we had  French volunteers translating directly from the usual Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, but also from Russian, Chinese, Swahili, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian. Besides changing the way we think about how to report global news, we can now welcome volunteers who do not speak English at all, as well as translators whose first language is English, making Lingua an even more inclusive project.
In 2012, our multilingual teams produced 712 posts originally in Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili. Among the stories published in this experiment, a collaborative post about the resistance of Brazilian indigenous group Guarani Kaiowa written originally in Portuguese inspired collaboration of at least 9 people in 3 different continents, 5 countries, 7 cities – and the Global Voices 2012 fundraising campaign.
Recognition and partnerships
Global Voices in French posts republished in a dedicated section of Rue89 reached 3.5 million of page views in 2012. Since the partnership started in 2009, the popular French news website has helped us amplify the conversation even further in the francophone world. Global Voices in Italian and its on-going partnership with daily La Stampa has also made our stories go mainstream.
In 2012, Global Voices in Catalan enjoyed media attention for posts they produced about the volatile situation in Catalonia's politics, appearing on an Al Jazeera Live Stream episode and in the Washington Post.
In July, Lingua spearheaded a marathon to get the Declaration of Internet Freedom translated into as many languages as possible – together with people in our network, we converted that document into nearly 60 languages.
Europe in Crisis, the first of Global Voices e-books, has also been launched in Italian, Arabic, and Spanish translations, with and Portuguese and French coming soon. Some teams have already started to translate the content of our second e-book, African Voices of Hope and Change, published in English in mid-December.
In collaboration with the newsroom, Lingua was commissioned to provide translations into Arabic, French, and Spanish to the International Relations and Security Network (ISN), a provider of open access information services for international relations and security professionals.
Lingua translators have also been commissioned by the international nonprofit human rights organisation Witness to translate 35,000 words of its Video for Change Toolkit into Arabic, French, and Spanish, to be launched soon.
And to close the year in high style, right at the end of 2012 Global Voices was commissioned to provide translations into Arabic, French, Swahili, and Somali for Refugees United, a nonprofit organisation that aims to help refugees safely reconnect with missing family members.
Partnerships like these result in a modest but welcome income for our volunteer translators, and in the promotion of Lingua and the work our translators do. Should you like to support Lingua as a translation or media partner, or in any other way, please get in touch – we are open to whatever 2013 brings.

author: Paula Góes


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Richard Blanco: America’s First Latino Inaugural Poet · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, requested his inaugural poem from Richard Blanco (@rblancopoet), the son of Cuban emigrants and the first Latino, Spanish speaker, and gay man to receive this honor. According to an article from The New York Times, Blanco confesses to feeling “a spiritual connection” with the reelected leader.
On his blog, “Adventures in urban life,” Achy Obejas writes:
Cuando me enteré de la noticia de hoy – que este dulce, amable, talentoso, magnífico y de gran corazón homosexual cubano había sido nombrado como poeta inaugural del presidente Barack Obama para su toma de posesión en el segundo mandado – supe que tenía que tomar un respiro y palparme el corazón.
So when I heard today’s news — that this sweet, kind, talented, gorgeous and big-hearted Cuban gay man had been tapped as President Barack Obama’s inaugural poet for his second swearing in — I had to take a breath and hold my heart.
Further on, Obejas reflects upon the feeling that his life evidently had little importance until:
Inicias sesión en Facebook y el Presidente de los Estados Unidos, el hombre más poderoso de la tierra, ha escogido a una persona que conoces – un maricón, un Cubiche al que le gusta decir en broma que fue hecho en Estados Unidos con piezas cubanas (…) – para consagrar ese momento de la historia con sus – nuestras – palabras.
¡Guao!
You log in to Facebook and the President of the United States, the most powerful man on earth, has chosen a guy you know — a fag, a cubiche who likes to joke that he was made in the U.S. with Cuban parts, with whom you codeswitch about Miyami and lechón and our mamis — to consecrate this moment in history with his — our – words.
¡Wow!
Blanco must compose an original poem for the presidential ceremony that will be take place on staircase of the Capitol Building on January 21st.
After receiving many congratulatory messages on his official Facebook page, Blanco responded, saying:
Richard Blanco. Photo taken from Blanco's public Twitter profile.
Para todo aquel que me ha enviado mensajes de buenos deseos, estoy escribiendo furiosamente, línea tras línea, y desearía poder responder a todos en poco tiempo. Por ahora, por favor, ayúdame a bendecir este poema. Gracias.
To everyone who has sent me messages of well-wishes, I'm writing furiously, line after line, and wish I could answer you all! In time. For now, please help me bless this poem. Thank you.
Nonetheless, the author prefers personal contact. That is how he puts it on his homepage:
En estos días de sobreabundancia de medios sociales, mi esperanza es que podamos conectar más íntimamente que a través de un tweet o un mensaje de Facebook.
In this day of social media overload, my hope is that we can connect more intimately than through a tweet or a Facebook post.
According to the inaugural committee's representative, Addie Whisenant, Obama chose Blanco because “his very personal poems are rooted in the idea of what it means to be an American.”
Penúltimos días published an excerpt of his poem, “América.”


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Conversations: The Mayor of a Christian Syrian Village · Global Voices
Syria Deeply

As part of our collaboration with Syria Deeply we are cross-posting a series of articles that capture civilian voices caught in the crossfire, along with perspectives on the conflict from writers around the world.
As part of our effort to highlight civilian stories, below is a conversation between Syria Deeply and Abu Skandar, the mayor of Al Ghassanieh, a predominantly Christian village just past Jebel Akrad in Latakia province.
Jabal Al Akrad, Latakia. Photo credit: Shaam News Network
During the past few weeks, the village has been caught in the crossfire between the FSA and regime forces. After a round of coffee on chairs positioned in the middle of the street (cars aren’t driven here anymore), Abu Skandar brings me to see a TNT canister resting in a field. We walk the town’s deserted streets as he points out the fresh bullet holes and rocket craters that dot many of its houses. He tells me, nervously, that the village is just one kilometer from the ever-shifting line that marks regime-controlled territory.
We are also joined by his friend, Abu Ahmad, the leader of the FSA’s local El Wad El Haq battalion. Both discuss the spike in violence and sectarian tension along the hard-hit border between Latakia and Idlib provinces.
“I’m a Christian. There’s a big difference here between Christians and Alawites. Alawites are special cases, they are always number one,” Abu Skandar says.
“Before the war, we had a good relationship with them. We also had a good relationship with the Sunnis. There’s an old Arabic saying: ‘we sleep in the same house.’ There were a few Alawite families here before, but when we started the revolution, we threw them out of this village.”
Why, I ask.
“The Alawites are all out for our houses, they’re all out for money.”
There has been a rapid escalation in violence, leaving Abu Skandar hoping for a swift resolution to the conflict.
“One house was bombed here a month ago, and in the last two days, rockets have started falling here and in a [nearby] village. I hear that the man in charge of that village was killed. But no one is scared, we want just to finish this regime.”
“[The FSA] is trying to push civilians to make a civilian protection council,” adds Abu Ahmad. “We want to protect our villages. Our problem is the sky. Here, and throughout Syria. There is nothing we can do. The situation here is a lot worse than Jebel Turkman because here, we are mostly just 2.5 kilometers from the regime.”
Abu Skandar casts an eye upward on the cloudless blue day. It’s perfect weather for an aerial assault — when it rains, war planes don’t tend to fly overhead.
“Maybe the helicopters will come today. Then I’ll want all of the public to know my story.” He says a member of the village was killed in the last month by regime forces, who are “beginning to shoot rockets into the church.”
On the street where we drink coffee, the occasional man goes by, the occasional boy pedals fast on a bike. For now, that’s all that’s left of his village.


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Discussing the Caribbean’s Rape Culture · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The disturbing gang-rape – and subsequent death – of a young woman in Delhi, India, has elicited global outrage and discussion about gender-based violence.  A handful of Caribbean-based bloggers have been sharing their thoughts…
Code Red, a blog which takes a pro-feminist stance regionally, made a bold statement earlier this week, saying that sexual violence is a men's issue.  The post began in defense of women's rights groups, which one Trinidadian newspaper columnist suggested could be more vocal in their defense of rape victims:
Roberta Clarke, on her Roots and Rights blog, pointed out that for the last 20 years women’s organisations have in fact been speaking out, advocating for legislation, running shelters and crisis centres  etc. Caribbean women have been anything but silent in the face of relentless and ongoing violence.
The post then turned the entire issue on its head:
When it comes to sexual violence the overwhelming majority of persons who are raped or sexually assaulted are women and girls and the overwhelming majority of rapists are men.  Men and boys too are victims of rape (though not at the same rates as women and girls) and in these cases too, men are the overwhelming majority of rapists.  It should therefore be self-evident that sexual violence is a men’s issue.  And the more appropriate question to ask is why men as the majority of elected leaders in the region, as individuals and members of various men’s organisations are not doing everything in their power to end sexual violence. Rape is a men’s issue.  Ending rape, speaking out against violence against women and girls is the collective responsibility of men.
Yet, men collectively, as major power brokers in the region, are silent.  Why is men’s silence not shocking?
Annie Paul, a blogger with Indian roots who resides in Jamaica, began her post with an excerpt from Indian novelist Anjana Appachana's Listening Now, which “captures the horrors faced by women in India’s capital city where packs of predatory men regularly terrorize women and have done so for decades”.  She commented:
What makes Delhi such a charming city and one that I keep returning to are the splendid ruins of old tombs and temples that irregularly interrupt the bustling city scape. Reluctantly I’ve come to believe that there are correspondingly ancient, if unlovely, mindsets –steeped in feudal, patriarchal logic and incompatible with the demands of contemporary life in cities such as Delhi.  What we are confronted with in the case of these violated girls, are archaic psyches interrupted by the postmodern, themselves no doubt the victims of class-based iniquities,  reacting to the assaults with savage violence and cruelty. The failure of the  Police to do the right thing by women is also symptomatic of this time-worn  hoary mentality. We are in the midst of a cultural crisis of no mean proportions. I don’t believe we can legislate our way out of it.
Appachana, a friend and former classmate of Paul's, responded to her blog post, which Annie shares here:
Anjana, like many other feminists, seethed with anger at the blatant lack of respect women were treated with, and was particularly incensed by the impunity with which men behaved, their actions circumscribing women’s lives in harmful ways. But were only men to blame for this state of affairs? Not at all. Her response to my quoting of the scene in her book makes the point that it’s often women themselves who deny the existence of gender-based violence, thus allowing it to continue without check. As she said:
Sometimes I find, even about other things, that it is women who are most incensed by some of the things I write about. It is the attitude of “It-isn’t-like-this-anymore.” And from what I have seen and lived, it is worse now, because we women are going forwards and the men are rapidly going backwards. Also, all these rape protests are good and necessary, but are women making any changes in their own lives? Do they feel passionately about what is right and wrong and then do they try and do something about it?
I think we’re all just beginning to realize that if we–women, that is–want to feel safe and equal, we’re going to have to do something about it ourselves and this includes erasing or reformatting our own socialization.
Code Red was adamant, though, that:
Everybody should be outraged when schoolgirls are sexually harassed in the street and on public transportation, when women are killed by their intimate partners, when police officers turn away rape survivors for being naked, when payments are accepted in lieu of prosecution in cases of child sexual abuse, when our legal system supports this form of injustice, when deputy commissioners of police suggest that teen girls are the ones responsible for the sexual crimes against them. Everybody should be outraged.  Not just women.  Not just the handful of women parliamentarians.  Not just overworked and underfunded women’s organisations. EVERYBODY.  And that includes men who for too long have been shamefully silent.
The post went on to wonder just what that silence communicated, asking:
Does it communicate an acceptance of rape culture, of gender inequality? An understanding that violence against women and girls and the threat of it is part of what helps to maintain male privilege? A desire to see that privilege maintained at all costs?
It’s time we heard from Caribbean men what they intend to do to end gender-based violence.
In the interim, Trinidadian blogger Tillah Willah examined “our own rape culture”:
Who wants to have a conversation about dismantling patriarchy? Who wants to confront the fact that whether or not you think the Prime Minister is good at her job or not, the criticism of her is always bordering on disturbingly sexist and overbearingly sexual? Who wants to take on the thinking behind the bizarre comments of the Deputy Commissioner of Police blaming teenage girls for the increase in sexual offences. I’m no longer willing to accept that rape culture is part of the burden women have to bear and surely somebody with a little bit of sense needs to tell Mervyn Richardson that the way to address sexual offences is not to start by blaming girls for filing reports.
Every Carnival we get a slew of advertisements and articles admonishing women about what to do to avoid being raped or attacked on the streets. Don’t go off by yourself, they say. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Women are always expected to take responsibility for their actions. Where are the campaigns addressed to the men?
Where are the campaigns challenging backward notions of masculinity? Where are the boofs for men to man up and stop raping women? Why are we raising women to be victims and men to be aggressors?
Annie Paul added:
If we want to lead free and unencumbered lives we’ll have to secure it by finding solutions to each of the ways in which society systematically failed that ill-fated young woman who was trying to do something as pedestrian as catch a bus home last December 16. We’ll have to acknowledge that there are fundamental ways in which our culture(s) must change. If not change won’t come in our lifetimes or the next.
Tillah Willah got the last word:
Maybe one day we’ll stop seeing rape culture as somebody else’s problem. Maybe one day we too will take to the streets for all the Daminis in our communities who are too terrified to report their own sexual offences for the fear of being blamed by a society that is still to scared to talk honestly about sex.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Free Online Course on Media and Information Literacy by UNESCO · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

UNESCO has launched a free online course on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue. The course is designed for teachers, policy makers and professionals, and will be offered from February 25 to May 31, 2013 by the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.


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How Many More Syrians Must Die? · Global Voices
Syria Deeply

As part of our collaboration with Syria Deeply we are cross-posting a series of articles that capture civilian voices caught in the crossfire, along with perspectives on the conflict from writers around the world
Bessma Momani is a senior fellow at CIGI and Brookings Institution and an associate professor at the University of Waterloo. You can find her on Twitter as @b_momani. Momani shares her thoughts on the ongoing crisis in Syria here:
As a political analyst, I can comprehend the plausible geostrategic and political reasons to explain why, despite international recognition for the Syrian National Coalition, the reality on the ground will change little. And why, despite the over 60,000 Syrians killed, the red line for the international community remains the use of chemical weapons.
The use of chemical weapons sets a dangerous precedent in a region with significant stockpiles and plenty of conflict. By labeling this as the red line, international governments are trying to send a warning signal to all regional players about the boundaries of acceptability.
I can also understand the Obama Administration’s quick move to identify the extremist group, Jabhat al-Nusra, a terrorist organization. At one level, the move can be seen as a strategy to quell a testy Congress that had become obsessed with the government’s failure to predict a blowback of radicals in Libya who took the life of state department employees. Recognizing the Nusra Front as a terrorist organization, before the US government acknowledged the Syrian National Coalition as the recognized representative of the Syrian people, reassured Congress—and the world—that the Obama Administration would not ignore extremist forces.
At the same time, the US has resisted labeling the Assad army as a terrorist organization, a move that has enormous implications if there is a negotiated solution to the end of this crisis. The US government is keenly aware that it failed in Iraq by encouraging de-Baathification following the removal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Keeping the Syrian army off a terrorist list will allow some elements of the brass to play a “legitimate” role in a new Syria and encourage more defections within the armed forces and Assad regime in the coming months.
But, these so-called geopolitical explanations are also excuses for inaction.
Courtesy of Shaam News Network
The sad truth is that many more Syrians will die and the international community, including us analysts, will find plenty of reasons to justify inaction. None of these reasons will comfort Syrians who remain perplexed by why the world ignores their plight, day after day. Over half a million people have fled the country, an average of over 800 a day, with millions of others trapped and internally displaced. There is an unknown number of political prisoners, but estimates of 25,000 are noted, being held in Assad army camps. Many Syrians I’ve interviewed estimate that nearly 20 children have been killed nearly every single day in Syria over the past two years.
But, while the geopolitical considerations for inaction are many, reasons to act are plenty as well. Inaction can lead to long-term consequences. Thirty-six percent of the Syrian population are children under the age of 14, and 24% of the population is between the ages of 14-24, according to the World Bank. Not only is their education interrupted, but they are living without homes and with increased hopelessness. The long-term psychological damage on an entire generation of Syrians has yet to be played out.
Syria is being destroyed, one beautiful city after another, right before our eyes. Schools, hospitals, parks, private businesses, and entire public infrastructure are completely gone. There are fewer homes and places of work for Syrian refugees to return to, with each passing day.
Already, this instability is spilling into Lebanon. Already, this helplessness has taken root in extremism. It’s been too long that we’ve tried to justify our ‘Syria strategy’.
How many Syrians must die for the world to act?


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Infographic: What does China think? · Global Voices
Abby Liu

What do Chinese citizens think about China's economic situation and the world's leaders?TeaLeafNation and ChinaFile has produced an infographic with detailed analysis based on the Chinese piece on CNpolitics[zh].


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Jamaica, Grenada: Master Sculptor Passes On · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog acknowledges the passing of master sculptor Fitzroy “Fitz” Harrack.


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Journalist Killed During Ceasefire Talks in Central African Republic  · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Elisabeth Olofio radio journalist killed in Bambari, CAR – Public Domain
The network of Human Rights Reporters in Central African Republic reports that journalist for the Radio Bé-oko Elisabeth Olofio was killed [fr] when Sékéla rebels entered the town of Bambari, CAR on January 7. A ceasefire agreement was signed [fr] between the rebels and the Bozizé government today (January 11) in Libreville, Gabon.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Kenya: Prime Minister Raila Odinga Leads in Opinion Poll  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ken Opalo analyzes latest opinion poll on the electorate’s preferred president and running mate in Kenya, which shows the Odinga/Musyoka ticket leads the Kenyatta/Ruto ticket ahead of the March 4th 2013 general election.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Kenya: Refugee-run online news magazine · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Kakuma News Reflector, or KANERE, is an independent news magazine produced by Ethiopian, Congolese, Ugandan, Rwandan, Somali, Sudanese and Kenyan journalists operating in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. It is the first fully independent refugee-run news source of its kind to emerge from a refugee camp, and has attracted considerable international attention.